Non-representation of the Moscow Patriarchate in the World Council of Churchestranslated

On Tuesday, September 15, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Dr. Jerry Pillay, received a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, led by the Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Mr. Antonio, President of the Department of External Church Relations (TEES) of the Moscow Patriarchate. Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Ström, coordinator of the WCC central committee, also participated in the meeting via remote connection.

The General Secretary of the PSE had invited His Eminence Metropolitan Mr. Antonios to mutual consultations in the context of the PSE's efforts for dialogue and peace, and in the context of the current reflections on the Ecumenical Call for Just Peace, 15 years after its publication.

"The meeting was a frank, open and constructive exchange of views on war, peace, religious freedom, relations with the church, nuclear weapons and the message and actions of the church in such a context," said Dr. Pillay after the meeting. "It was clear to everyone at the meeting that we need more such discussions, not less," remarked Dr. Pillay. "The...