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François Longchamp at the WCC Central Committee meeting in Geneva.
“The League of Nations came into existence here in the 20th century,” he said, “and we are commemorating 100 years since the beginning of the first world war.”
In addition to its prominence as a neutral
place in which to nurture peace among nations, Geneva is also known for
its role as a refuge for religious communities, he pointed out. “Nobody
knows better than you do how important Geneva is in making the
Reformation widespread,” he said. “With considerable influence over the
years, Geneva has opened its doors to spiritual communities that were
being persecuted for their worship.”
Longchamp assured WCC Central Committee
members that Geneva is open for dialogue. “I give you my warm
greetings,” he said, “and I assure you of the state's constant
attention.”
Reflections on pilgrimage of justice and peace
As WCC Central Committee members took time
to reflect on their sense of carrying forward the vision and policies of
the WCC 10th Assembly, Rev. Dr Gottfried Locher, president of the Swiss
Protestant Churches, also shared his thoughts on a pilgrimage of
justice and peace.
In Busan, through the assembly, “we have
been enriched,” he said. “We have learned what it means to be a unified,
diverse people.”
He compared the WCC's time in Busan to “one
long Sunday.” Now the WCC Central Committee must find connection even in
their diversity, he said. “Now Monday has started and your work coming
from Busan needs to be taken up.”
Locher urged the Central Committee to adopt a mixture of work and prayer as they opened the week-long meeting.
“We are on a pilgrimage, and a pilgrimage is
a metaphor where rest and travel, holiday and work come together. We
have one common goal: God's kingdom.”
Locher, a former member of the Central
Committee, urged the current WCC governing body to strengthen communion
among churches worldwide. “Do insist on clarity of what you hear,” he
said. “Do call for specific measures. What do we mean by pilgrimage? You
have to bind your shoes. You have to walk.”
Ecumenical Centre development anticipated
Residents of Geneva are anticipating the
development of the Ecumenical Centre and WCC offices as part of a
proposed Promenade de la Paix, or “peace promenade,” in Geneva.
“You will see a lot of building going on
here,” said Longchamp, “and we have made careful decisions in
redesigning this site so that we preserve the very great value of this
building and its chapel, which is very important.”
The WCC's role in promoting peace will be
reflected in the design of the peace promenade, he said. “Nobody forgets
the role of the WCC during the period of the cold war as a place of
dialogue between the east and the west.”
A contract for the development of the
Ecumenical Centre and WCC offices was awarded to the Geneva-based firm
LRS Architectes, which won an architectural competition for development
of the site.
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