DPCU represented at annual Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions

Archbishop Flavio Pace, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, assisted by Reverend Andrzej Choromanski, Official for Multilateral Relations, represented the Catholic Church at the annual Conference of the Secretaries of Christian World Communions (CS/CWCs), which took place from 5 to 7 November 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted by the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC).

The daily sessions opened and closed with a prayer led by one of the participants, following a specific tradition.

The three days of discussions were principally dedicated to the presentation of reports from various communions and ecumenical international organisations on their current life and activities. Time was also allocated to discuss topics of particular relevance to the churches at this time. Participants expressed their appreciation for the recent Synod on Synodality that took place in Rome, underscoring the active participation of fraternal delegates from different churches.

A highlight of the programme was participation in a service at a local congregation of the Africa Divine Church on Wednesday, 5 November. The denomination falls within the broader category of African Independent Churches (AICs), which emerged across the continent during the colonial period, seeking to offer a form of Christianity that integrates African cultural values, traditions, and leadership. Representatives of other AICs were also present. The event gave the participants of the Conference an opportunity to become acquainted with the life of the AICs and to personally experience their vibrant liturgical worship, which blends the message of the Gospel with African culture.

Christian World Communions is the term commonly used to describe globally organised churches or families of churches with common theological and historical roots, confessions, or structures. The Conference of Secretaries (CS), which has met annually since 1957 with few exceptions, is not an organisation with programme goals but rather a forum for representatives of diverse Christian communions, as well as some global ecumenical organisations, to meet, exchange information, learn from each other, and nurture fraternal relationships among their churches. The CS does not adopt resolutions or programme guidelines for the churches, nor does it issue an official communiqué at its conclusion.

The following Christian World Communions and multilateral ecumenical organizations were represented at the meeting this year: the Anglican Communion, the Baptist World Alliance, the Disciples of Christ, the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church), the Ecumenical Patriarchate (Orthodox Church of Constantinople), the Friends World Committee for Consultation, the Seventh-Day Adventists, the Union of Utrecht (Old Catholics), the Lutheran World Federation, the Mennonite World Conference, the Moravian Church, the Pentecostal World Fellowship, the Salvation Army, the World Convention of Churches of Christ, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the World Methodist Council, and ecumenical bodies: the Global Christian Forum, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, the World Council of Churches and the World Evangelical Alliance. The Armenian Apostolic Church, which participates on behalf of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, sent a written report, and the Moscow Patriarchate sent apologies.