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New WCC chief wants a broader ecumenism
03368
September 2, 2003

New WCC chief wants a broader ecumenism

Kobia says Africa 'will be the center of Christianity' in 21st century

By Jerry L. Van Marter
Ecumenical News International

GENEVA - The new chief of the World Council of Churches (WCC) said on Aug. 29
that he hopes the global ecumenical movement will broaden under his
leadership to include Catholics, Pentecostals, Evangelicals and the
rapidly-growing churches in Africa.

The Rev. Sam Kobia, a Methodist from Kenya, pointed out during his first
post-election press conference that Christianity is growing explosively in
Africa, particularly in independent and Pentecostal churches known as African
Instituted Churches.

"Many African Instituted Churches want to join us, and we want to encourage
them so they can contribute their own spirituality and enrich the WCC and the
global ecumenical movement," Kobia said.

He pointed out that Africa is likely to be "the center of Christianity in
terms of numbers" in the 21st century.

"The WCC and the Roman Catholic Church (already) have many ways of addressing
the issues of the world together," he said, noting that, although the
Catholic church is not a council member, the Vatican is represented on the
WCC staff and on WCC commissions dealing with mission, evangelism and matters
of faith.

Under his leadership, Kobia said, the council will emphasize inter-religious
dialogue and respect for the natural environment and the "integrity of
creation," a perspective he called "cosmovision."

Kobia, the first African ever chosen to head the 55-year-old ecumenical
organization, was elected on Aug. 28 during the 53rd meeting of the council's
central committee, its main governing body.

He will take office in January, succeeding Dr. Konrad Raiser, of the
Evangelical Church in Germany, who has served for 11 years.

In his remarks, Kobia endorsed the efforts the WCC has undertaken since its
last global assembly, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1998, to broaden the
ecumenical movement to include Roman Catholics, Pentecostals and
Evangelicals.

All of those groups have been invited to a consultation in November, during
which, Kobia said, he hopes "we will be able to discuss possibilities of a
broader platform, where they'll feel comfortable as members."

"Religion is assuming a powerful place in the affairs of humankind because
the 21st century is dominated by the politics of identity," he said. "The
world will be talking about religion in a very big way, because so many
identify themselves by their religion."

He said the world's biggest problems - among them HIV/AIDS, violence and
economic exploitation - "will be overcome more effectively by adopting a
multi-faith approach."

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