Catholic Participation in the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches

3 Nov 2025

A delegation of sixteen Catholic theologians — ordained, religious, and lay, women and men from more than ten countries — led by Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU), participated in the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches (WCC). The event on the theme “Where now for visible unity?”, was hosted by the Coptic Orthodox Church at the Logos Papal Center of St Bishoy Monastery in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, from 24 to 28 October 2025.

Held on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325 CE), this was the first World Conference on Faith and Order in 32 years, following that of Santiago de Compostela in 1993. Bringing together over 350 delegates, observers, and guests from a wide range of Christian traditions, the gathering explored key questions concerning the nature and mission of the Church, ecclesial communion, moral discernment, and the common Christian witness in today’s world.

The DPCU collaborated closely with the WCC Commission on Faith and Order Secretariat in preparing the Conference, helping to shape its theological orientation and ecumenical tone. During the five days, Catholic participants took part in plenary sessions, section meetings, workshops, and prayers, contributing to reflections on the ecclesial, anthropological, and missional dimensions of unity — corresponding to the Conference’s threefold focus on Faith, Mission, and Unity. Members of the Catholic delegation also offered keynote addresses, chaired sessions, facilitated thematic discussions, and moderated workshops, including one organized by the Joint Working Group between the Catholic Church and the WCC.

Beyond formal proceedings, participants shared in moments of prayer and pilgrimage, notably visiting the four ancient monasteries of Wadi El Natrun — a cradle of early Christian monasticism and a powerful reminder of the spiritual roots of unity. Each morning, the Catholic delegation celebrated Holy Mass in a chapel prepared for them at the conference site.

The event renewed ecumenical fellowship and reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s enduring commitment to the search for full, visible Christian unity.

Members of the Official Catholic Delegation (in alphabetical order)

Fr Prof. Dr George Joseph Aryankalayil (India)
Prof. Dr Souraya Bechealany (Lebanon)
Fr Gianluca Chemini (Italy) – Young Theologian
Fr Prof. Dr Andrzej Choromański (Poland/Vatican)
Fr Prof. Dr Lawrence Iwuamadi (Nigeria/Switzerland)
Prof. Dr David G. Kirchhoffer (Australia)
Kurt Cardinal Koch (Switzerland/Vatican)
Prof. Dr Krzysztof Mielcarek (Poland)
Prof. Dr Annemarie C. Mayer (Germany)
Fr Prof. Dr Bryan Lobo SJ (India/Italy)
Prof Dr Johannes Oeldemann (Germany)
Ms. Dominika Pruszczyńska (Poland)
Fr Prof. Dr Milad Sedky Zakhary CM (Egypt)
Bp Toma Adly Zaki (Egypt)
Prof. Dr Myriam Wijlens (Netherlands/Germany)
Sr. Prof. Dr K. Wood SCL (USA/Canada)