With a historic show of a unity, Ethiopian churches meeting at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey made the decision to establish a council of churches in their country.
The church delegations in the meeting were managed by H.G. Archbishop Petros, general secretary of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church; Rev. Dr Yonas Yigezu Dibisa, president of the Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus; and H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel of the Ethiopian Catholic Church.
High-level (Top_Level) delegations from the three largest Ethiopian churches—the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, and Ethiopian Catholic Church—made the move with a view to strengthening ecumenical cooperation “in responding to humanitarian needs and in promoting peace and social cohesion in Ethiopia,” according to a minute released by the gathering.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) served as a convener and facilitator of the process. The meeting was supported by the German Federal Foreign Office. It built on previous conversations and processes, which were supported by Norwegian Church Aid.
In order to facilitate next steps delegates of churches has appointed task force.
As the church leaders signed a resolution agreement of a document showing their commitment to the new process and structure, Rev Dr Yonas Yigezu Dibisa reflected that, for several years, these churches have been discussing how to establish a new structure and reactivate the vision of ecumenical unity. He paid tribute to church leaders who, decades ago, formed partnerships and coalitions to address the needs of the people.
Those three churches are long time and active members of WCC (World Council of Churches) and AACC (All Africa Council of Churches). With the establishment of a National Council of Churches in Ethiopia, both global and reginal councils will get a partner organization on ground to work with.
The news is obtained from WCC (World Council of Churches) official website.
Ethiopian church leaders meet at Ecumenical Institute at Bossey
Source: oikoumene.org