WCC received delegation from Russian Orthodox Church

On Tuesday 15 September, the WCC general secretary Dr Jerry Pillay received a delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church, headed by Metropolitan Anthony, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, also took part in the meeting via remote link.

The WCC general secretary invited Metropolitan Anthony to consult on WCC’s efforts for dialogue and peace, and on current reflections on the Ecumenical Call to Just Peace, 15 years after it was issued.

“The meeting was a frank, open and constructive exchange of views on war, peace, religious freedom, church relationships, nuclear weapons and the message and actions of the church in such a context”, said General Secretary Pillay after the meeting. “It was clear to all participants in the meeting that we need more such conversations, not fewer,” observed Pillay. “The church must speak together against violence and injustice, and the path to that common witness is dialogue. The alternative to encounter and dialogue is only more division and confrontation.”

Pillay recommitted the WCC “to serve as a bridge across the…