World Council Committee Holds African Meeting
Diocesan Press Service. February 8, 1965 [XXIX-5]
Dialogue with the Roman Church, ecumenical action, church union, Christian responses and responsibilities to and in Africa, and a $10 million dollar emergency fund for strengthening African church leadership were among the important subjects discussed during the January 12-21 session of the World Council of Churches' Central Committee meeting in Enugu, Nigeria.
Action taken during the meeting of the Central Committee may lead to the establishment of a "working group" to study principles and methods of collaboration with the Roman Catholic Church.
The proposal recommended that eight members of the World Council be appointed to study matters of mutual interest with six representatives of the Roman Catholic Church. Although formation of the group is subject to similar action by Roman Catholic officials, World Council leaders indicated that the plan for such conversations was developed cooperatively with the Vatican.
The background paper upon which the action was based pointed to subjects which "can properly be discussed between the WCC and the Roman Catholic Church." These included practical collaboration in the fields of philanthropy, social and international affairs; theological study programs which have a specific bearing on ecumenical relations (Faith and Order); problems which cause tension between the churches (for example, mixed marriages, religious liberty, proselytism); and common concerns with regard to the life and mission of the Church (laity, missions, etc.).
A resolution of the Central Committee provides for these services to member churches of the World Council and national councils of churches: exchange of news of developments in relations with the Roman Catholic Church at all levels; information about documents necessary for understanding the developing relations between the Roman Catholic Church and other churches; interpretive comment which may assist churches and national councils in dialogue and relationship with the Roman Catholic Church.
In a speech to the Central Committee, Dr. Lukas Vischer, one of the Council's observers to the Second Vatican Council, said the time has come when the Roman Catholic and other churches must undertake common examination of what they mean by such terms as "dialogue," "ecumenical relations," and "cooperation. " Dr. Vischer, also research secretary of the Council's Faith and Order Department, emphasized that other churches have a responsibility actively to respond to the opportunities afforded by Vatican Council advances because "even in their separation the separated churches are still so close to one another that any development in one church affects them all. The non-Roman churches cannot therefore look at the Roman Catholic Church as impassive observers..."
He said, "The churches which have joined together in the World Council have formed a fellowship of dialogue and cooperation. Must they not make every effort to testify to what has been given to them in this fellows4ip? Must they not show, through their common witness, their fellowship, their life and work, how they understand the ecumenical movement? Is not precisely the crucial situation in which we find ourselves a reason to make clear even more emphatically the sole foundations on which joint work is possible? Certainly, each individual church must enter into relationship with the Roman Church... The conversation of the individual churches with the Roman Catholic Church is a spiritual necessity..., the crucial question as to how a fellowship of dialogue and cooperation may be brought about, can and must be dealt with by all the churches together."
Also speaking on the unity of the Church, Dr. W.A. Visser 't Hooft, general secretary of the World Council, outlined criteria by which churches can judge their progress toward unity.
One - true catholicity.
Two - Dedication to the whole task of the church.
Three - Unity for the sake of the Church's mission. He said that local congregations must have a missionary and not merely a conservative structure.
Four - Readiness for renewal of life. "Renewal means change and change means giving up patterns and structures no longer able to meet the needs of the hour," Dr. Visser't Hooft said.
Dr. Visser't Hooft was asked to remain as general secretary of the World Council of Churches until August, 1966.
The Rev. Patrick C. Rodger, executive secretary of the Faith and Order Department, asserted that the movement for church union has reached a "critical point" in many parts of the world. Many churches have reached the point where it is "difficult and costly" to go forward, but it is "unthinkably dangerous to go back."
The Faith and Order Department helps churches to study the things which keep Christian communions apart, and to understand their basic Christian unity which underlies these divisions.
In the opening session, Samuel H. Amissah, general secretary of All Africa Conference of Churches, said there are new situations with which the African and world-wide churches must come to grips. He said that the ability of the African churches to bear the "pressure of revolution" will require the upgrading of educational standards and status of the ministry. He pointed to the need of developing a mature outlook with the churches which are still dependent upon the outside and in building up effective African leadership, bridging gaps between fundamentalist and non-fundamentalist churches and assuming leadership for non-evangelized areas.
Mr. Amissah noted that the African revolution gives churches the opportunity to serve people in new situations and facing new needs, particularly those facing new responsibilities.
In other action taken during the meeting, a ten million dollar emergency fund for strengthening African church leadership was voted.
Dr. Peter Day, Ecumenical Office of the Executive Council who served as alternate delegate for the Presiding Bishop, discussed the emergency fund in a sermon delivered at St. Bartholomew's Church, Enugu.
"Details are not fully spelled out, " he said, "but the areas of need identified include help to refugees and to young people who need training in leadership, the development of agriculture and of literacy in rural areas, to the problems of the cities, teacher-training, development of secondary and higher education, and so on. The money talked about is between eight and ten million dollars.... Although this is a large sum, it is only a tiny fraction of the total need. Its value will depend on the assistance it gives to leaders of the African nations as they cope with their own problems and work out their own plans."
The Executive Committee of the Council urged greater attention to the contribution which "conservative evangelical" churches and groups can make to the ecumenical movement.
In a report to the Central Committee, it was stated, "the member churches of the World Council... need also the contribution of these evangelical churches and desire to share with them, in such ways as may be found acceptable, in practical tasks of Christian service and witness."
As a result of Central Committee action admitting the Serbian Orthodox Church, all major national Orthodox churches are now members of the World Council.
Episcopalians attending the World Council sessions were Dr. James W. Kennedy and Dr. Day.
The World Council of Churches has more than 200 churches whose members live in 90 countries and territories throughout the world. Most major Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches in the United States are included.