JOINT WORKING GROUP BETWEEN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

PLENARY MEETING

Ecumenical Institute at Bossey (Switzerland) , 1 – 3 September 2026

Communiqué

The third plenary of the 11th mandate of the Joint Working Group (JWG) between the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) was convened at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, Switzerland, from September 1-3, 2026, hosted by the WCC. The meeting was co-moderated by Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian from the USA (Armenian Apostolic Church, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin) and the Most Reverend Thomas Dowd from Canada (Bishop of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie).

The objectives of the plenary were to focus on the mandates of the working groups; to share the reports and priorities of the Parent Bodies; to hear participants’ reflections on the challenges facing the churches in their local contexts; and to learn more about the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, including the Catholic presence and contribution to it, as it celebrates its 80th anniversary. The daily sessions were accompanied by morning and evening prayers, reflection, and moments of fellowship. Most of the programme was dedicated to advancing the work of the three working groups, with seven sessions devoted to this purpose.

At its first plenary in 2024, the Joint Working Group (JWG) established three working groups to: (1) explore different understandings of salvation and their possible relationship to religious indifference; (2) examine reconciliation processes in different global contexts and develop practical tools for the parent bodies; and (3) strengthen efforts to counter violence and discrimination based on religious affiliation, in view of the persecution of Christians and people of other faiths worldwide.

At its 2026 meeting at Bossey, all three working groups advanced their work.

Working Group 1 – Salvation and Religious Indifference

Working Group 1 continued its exploration of the relationship between religious indifference and differing understandings of salvation across Christian traditions. The group examined biblical and theological perspectives on salvation, while also considering the sociological and anthropological dimensions of religious indifference. Participants noted the growing influence of individualism and the challenge of representing diverse ecclesial and geopolitical contexts. The group’s ongoing aim is to develop a panorama of contemporary Christian understandings of salvation.

Working Group 2 – Collective Reconciliation

Working Group 2 focused on processes and tools for collective reconciliation in different global contexts. Members shared research on reconciliation experiences across five continents, identifying common elements and dynamics in both successful and unsuccessful processes. These findings informed a draft framework for developing practical resources to support reconciliation at local, regional, and global levels.

Working Group 3 – Religious Freedom, Peacebuilding and Christian Witness

Working Group 3 explored how existing ecumenical resources on peacebuilding, religious freedom, and Christian witness can be more closely connected to the lived experiences of communities affected by discrimination, violence, and persecution. The group highlighted the importance of documentation, advocacy, education, international cooperation, and practical solidarity. It also reflected on martyria as a Christian response to violence through love, forgiveness, service, hope, and fidelity to Christ, emphasizing that martyrdom should never be sought or romanticized. The group further considered how remembrance of Christians who have suffered or died for their faith can strengthen ecumenical unity and inspire common action.

80th anniversary of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey

The plenary also marked the 80th anniversary of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. The participants reflected with gratitude on Bossey’s distinctive vocation as a place where Christians from different traditions live, study, pray and learn together. The longstanding and significant Catholic contribution to the Institute was recognized, alongside discussion of the challenges of sustaining this contribution and strengthening formation, scholarships, staffing and student participation.

The plenary concluded with gratitude for the WCC’s generous hospitality and for the opportunity to deepen relationships of friendship, trust and cooperation. Through prayer, shared reflection and intensive work, the JWG renewed its commitment to serving the Church and strengthening common Christian witness in the service of peace, reconciliation and unity, for the greater glory of the Triune God.