“To be clear: our condemnation is not about stifling legitimate critique of government policies. Rather, the WCC’s statement crosses far beyond such criticism, constructing a narrative that vilifies Israel while ignoring critical realities, thereby exacerbating conflict and hatred.” - RNS
Reprinted from the American Council of Christian Churches Special Report, Fall 2009. It appears here unedited.
August 26 – September 2, 2009 • Ecumenical Center, Geneva, Switzerland
The process to elect a new General Secretary for the World Council of Churches (WCC) was marked by mystique, intrigue, secrecy, and guarded doors, with cell phones and iPods checked prior to an entrance into the William A. Visser’t Hooft Plenary Hall. Only the 140 members of the Central Committee were permitted inside.
Earlier the Search Committee shared with the media that the two candidates being presented were the Rev. Dr. Park Seong-won, a Presbyterian from Korea, and the Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit of the Church of Norway.
Several hours passed, and we later learned the method used in the restricted room. The first item on the agenda was for the Search Committee to give their report. This was followed by a speech from each of the two candidates. The actual voting was next. While the election was taking place, out in the lobby tables were being decorated, bottles of wine were chilled, and glasses made ready for the celebration toasts to begin. As soon as the doors were opened, the news spread rapidly that 48-year-old Dr. Tviet of Norway was chosen as the 7th General Secretary. One report indicated he had been selected by a majority vote of 80 to 60. At his first press conference, Tviet outlined his vision and goals. He began by pointing to a display on the wall near him and referring to the words that were there. They were from John 17:21, “…that they all may be one.” He stressed there had been a spirit of unity that dominated the election process and hoped it would continue.
Resolution on SeparationFrom its founding in 1941, the American Council of Christian Churches has devoted its resources and energy to following the exhortation of Jude to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)
