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The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit expressed deep admiration for the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada for holding their first-ever joint assembly in Ottawa, Canada.
Tveit called this historic event an inspiration for the churches in strengthening the values of unity, common service and mission, in overcoming their denominational differences.
At their joint assembly, the two Canadian member churches of the WCC brought together more than 800 Christians for worship, fellowship and important decision-making. The event was held from 3 to 7 July addressing the theme “Together for the love of the world”.
Tveit said that the joint assembly theme co-relates with the aspirations of the WCC, where prayers for justice and peace are a profound expression of love.
While offering his greetings, Tveit also highlighted the significance of the journey taken by both Anglicans and Lutherans, who in full communion held one assembly. He said this journey is “marked by mutual learning, faithful witness to the gospel and a shared eucharistic table.”
“You have refused to say ‘I have no need of you’ [1 Corinthians 12:21] but rather have said that with the other you can better live out your calling as churches here in Canada and the world. You do this in the context of belonging to a much bigger Christian family, therefore the efforts you make have the potential to transform beyond yourselves,” said Tveit.
At the assembly, Tveit, along with Natasha Klukach, WCC programme executive for the Church and Ecumenical Relations, met with 30 members of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples. The meeting was coordinated by Bishop Mark MacDonald of the Anglican Church of Canada.
The WCC general secretary also met with young Canadian delegates to the WCC Busan assembly, which will be held from 30 October to 8 November, in the Republic of Korea. In the meeting, WCC staff members and youth reviewed the preparations, ideas and expectations for the assembly that will address the theme “God of life, lead us to justice and peace”.
In Ottawa, Tveit also attended an event on Parliament Hill, led by Anglican and Lutheran youth, who gathered under the Peace Tower to raise awareness on water issues. Through music, prayers and discussions, they addressed issues pertaining to water pollution and the lack of clean drinking water in First Nations communities.
The joint assembly was also attended by several church leaders along with Tveit, including Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, and Rev. Martin Junge, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation.
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