Joint Working Group Executive Committee convenes online to launch three new working groups

28 Feb 2025

The Executive Committee of the Joint Working Group (JWG) between the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) convened online on 24 February 2025. The purpose of the meeting was to launch three new working groups, proposed during the last in-person plenary session in September 2024 in Bossey, Switzerland.

The meeting commenced with a prayer for Pope Francis, who is currently hospitalised, followed by expressions of solidarity and commitments to continued prayers from the participants and their respective communities. Updates on recent activities within both constituencies were shared, including reflections on the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, the WCC’s engagement in commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325), and preparations for the upcoming Conference on Faith and Order, scheduled for October 2025 near Alexandria, Egypt.

The Executive Committee approved the formation of three working groups and discussed their mandates:

Understandings of Salvation and the Challenge of Religious Indifference – exploring theological interpretations of salvation and their impact on Christian unity and faith engagement.
Collective Reconciliation: Processes and Tools in Global Contexts – examining reconciliation efforts worldwide and developing practical tools for churches.
Confronting Violence and Discrimination Based on Religious Affiliation – addressing religious persecution and advocating for interfaith solidarity.

Since its foundation in 1965, the JWG has remained committed to fostering unity and reconciliation through ecumenical dialogue and collaboration.

Attendees of the meeting included:

For the World Council of Churches:

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Co-Moderator
Prof. Dr Vasile-Octavian Mihoc, Co-Secretary
Prof. Dr Andrej Jeftic
Revd Prof. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba
Very Revd Dr Yvette Maud Noble Bloomfield

For the Catholic Church:

Bishop Dr Thomas Edward Dowd, Co-Moderator
Monsignor Dr Andrzej Choromanski, Co-Secretary
Archbishop Flavio Pace
Monsignor Dr Juan Usma Gómez

With these initiatives, the Joint Working Group reaffirms its commitment to promoting ecumenical dialogue and cooperation among Christian communities.