WCC Central Committee

COE Comité Central

• Towards a Common Understanding and Vision of the World Council of Churches, September 1997
  "The text that follows is the outcome of more than eight years of study and consultation on the "common understanding and vision of the World Council of Churches", mandated by the WCC Central Committee at its meeting in 1989. Since the Seventh Assembly of the WCC in 1991, this subject has continuously been on the agenda of the Central Committee; in addition, it has been extensively discussed in meetings of WCC commissions, advisory bodies and staff. Insights have been sought and received from WCC member churches, other churches and a broad range of ecumenical partners, as well as many individual participants in and students of the ecumenical movement. "
• Report of the Moderator, August 2003
  "In his report ... His Holiness Catholicos Aram I ... addresses with remarkable clarity and subtlety some of the thorny issues that preoccupy those who are committed to the dialogue of life between Christians and their neighbours of other religions. Equally, he listens with sensitivity to the reservations of those who fear the risk of dialogue or exaggeratedly warn against its ambiguities. Well aware that current developments, political and otherwise, may be threatening to build up new attitudes of distrust and hostility, he reminds us all, Christians and Muslims in particular, of the urgency of reflecting together, speaking together and working together. He invites us to build on much of what was learned in the last decades, across the plurality of approaches, views and experiences in diverse situations." [Dr. Tarek Mitri, Christian-Muslim Dialogue Department, World Council of Churches]
• Rapport du Président, Août 2003
  "In his report ... His Holiness Catholicos Aram I ... addresses with remarkable clarity and subtlety some of the thorny issues that preoccupy those who are committed to the dialogue of life between Christians and their neighbours of other religions. Equally, he listens with sensitivity to the reservations of those who fear the risk of dialogue or exaggeratedly warn against its ambiguities. Well aware that current developments, political and otherwise, may be threatening to build up new attitudes of distrust and hostility, he reminds us all, Christians and Muslims in particular, of the urgency of reflecting together, speaking together and working together. He invites us to build on much of what was learned in the last decades, across the plurality of approaches, views and experiences in diverse situations." [Dr. Tarek Mitri, Christian-Muslim Dialogue Department, World Council of Churches]

WCC Commission on Faith & Order

COE Commission de Foi et Constitution

Texts and Studies.
This is a collection of Faith & Order documents from the WCC issued over the history of the modern ecumenical movement. At this time, many of the older WCC documents have not been converted to digital formats, and are not available on this site. These links will connect to the WCC website where the official text of the document resides.

documents et études
Une collection des documents sur Foi et Constitution par le Conseil œcuménique des Églises. À ce temps, la plupart des documents sont disponible en anglais seulement.

Explanatory note from the WCC F&O website "Faith and Order studies and texts have no independent authority; they gain importance in the ecumenical discussion insofar as they prove helpful to the churches in addressing issues of theology and practice which continue to divide them. Most Faith and Order texts are distributed widely, in order to promote the broadest possible discussion among the churches of issues related to unity. But not all texts are at the same stage of development, or have the same "status" in relation to the Faith and Order Commission itself. Broadly speaking one can distinguish between reports of specific consultations, which reflect only the discussion and degree of agreement among those present, and texts which have been reviewed and revised, as part of a larger study process, by the Faith and Order Board or Commission. Such texts may be sent formally to the churches for reaction; exceptionally a text, such as Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, is sent for an official church response prepared "at the highest appropriate level". This emphasizes that Faith and Order texts - as all texts - should be read in light of their origin and intended purpose. This is indicated in the introduction to each text, and these explanations should be noted carefully."

L'avis sur le site web du COE Foi et Constitution « Quelle est l'autorité des études et textes de Foi et constitution? En soi, ils n'en ont aucune. Leur importance dans la discussion œcuménique s'accroît dans la mesure où les Églises trouvent utile l'exposé qu'ils font de problèmes théologiques et pratiques qui les divisent encore. La plupart des textes de Foi et constitution sont largement diffusés: il s'agit en effet de favoriser une discussion aussi vaste que possible, entre les Églises, sur des thèmes qui touchent à l'unité. Mais tous ces textes n'ont pas atteint le même stade d'avancement ni n'ont le même «statut» vis-à-vis de la Commission de Foi et constitution elle-même. En gros, on peut faire une distinction entre les rapports de colloques spécifiques, qui se contentent de présenter une synthèse des discussions entre les participants et le degré d'accord qu'ils ont atteint, et les textes qui ont été revus et révisés, dans le cadre d'un large «processus d'étude», par le Secrétariat ou la Commission de Foi et constitution. Ces textes peuvent être envoyés officiellement aux Églises, à qui Foi et constitution demande leurs réactions. Il arrive exceptionnellement que Foi et constitution demande aux Églises leur position officielle, préparée «au niveau approprié le plus élevé», sur un texte particulier– ce fut le cas par exemple du document Baptême, Eucharistie, Ministère. Cela veut dire qu'il convient de lire les textes de Foi et constitution– comme d'ailleurs tous les textes– à la lumière de leur origine et de leur objectif. Celui-ci est précisé dans l'introduction à chaque texte, et il faut donc tenir dûment compte de ces indications. »

• A Church of All and for All - An interim statement (presented at the 2003 WCC Central Committee)
  "There has been a growing awareness that persons with disabilities invite the Church to explore anew the understanding of the Gospel and the nature of the Church. This interim statement, drafted with participation from the Faith and Order Commission, offers pointers and insights on major theological themes. It is hoped that it will also help the churches address inclusion, active participation and full involvement in the spiritual and social life of the church in particular and society in general." [from the WCC website] Français, Deutsch, Español
• Appelés à être l'Eglise une (texte sur l'ecclésiologie adopté à Porto Alegré)
  Assez bref (environ 2 300 mots), ce texte a été adopté par les Eglises membres du COE à l'Assemblée de Porto Alegré (février 2006) comme constituant une base pour leur volonté réaffirmée de rechercher l'unité visible. Il invite les Eglises à relancer leurs conversations -- qui doivent se soutenir mutuellement tout en restant ouvertes et rigoureuses -- sur la qualité de leur communauté fraternelle et de leur communion ainsi que sur les problèmes qui continuent à les diviser. Il a été demandé aux Eglises membres du COE de communiquer leur réponse officielle à ce texte d'ici la prochaine Assemblée du COE ; les groupes d'étude et toutes personnes intéressées sont également invités à faire connaître leurs commentaires et leurs réactions.
• Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (BEM)
  The "Lima Document", approved by the Faith & Order Commission in Lima, Peru in 1982
• Becoming a Christian: The Ecumenical Implications of Our Common Baptism
  "The Report from the second consultation in Faith and Order's study programme on worship in relation to Christian Unity. The texts focus on baptism, particularly the structure of the baptismal service, issues of inculturation, and how baptism determines the nature and practice of Christian ethics." [from the F&O website] See also "So We Believe, So We Pray: Towards Koinonia in Worship", the report of the first Faith and Order consultation on worship in relation to Christian unity.(en anglais seulement)
  Ce texte est le rapport du deuxième colloque organisé dans le cadre du programme d'étude de Foi et constitution sur le culte en rapport avec l'unité des chrétiens. Partant de l'importance de la « reconnaissance mutuelle du baptême » entre Eglises, qui constitue une base du mouvement œcuménique, ce texte étudie le sens et la structure du service baptismal, certains problèmes soulevés par l'inculturation du baptême ainsi que la manière dont le baptême détermine la nature et la pratique de l'éthique chrétienne.
• Built Together: The Present Vocation of United and Uniting Churches (Eph. 2:22)
  Report of the Sixth International Consultation of United and Uniting Churches.
• Called to be the One Church (The Porto Alegré Ecclesiology Text)
  This concise text (about 2,300 words) was adopted by WCC member churches at the Porto Alegré Assembly (February, 2006) as a basis for their renewed commitment to the search for visible unity. It invites the churches into a renewed conversation -- mutually supportive, yet open and searching -- about the quality of their fellowship and communion, and about the issues which still divide them. WCC member churches are asked to respond officially to the text by the next WCC Assembly; study groups and individuals are also invited to offer comments and reactions.
• Celebrations of the Eucharist in Ecumenical Contexts - A Proposal
  In this unofficial text a number of liturgists, theologians and pastors propose, on their own initiative and responsibility, guidelines for those engaged in planning eucharistic worship to be held in an ecumenical context. The text was produced by a working group at a consultation held by Faith and Order and the Ecumenical Institute, Bossey to reflect on the churches’ 10 years experience in using the unofficial "Lima Liturgy". (en anglais seulement)
  Dans ce texte non officiel, un certain nombre de liturgistes, théologiens et pasteurs proposent, de leur propre initiative et sous leur propre responsabilité, des principes généraux à l’intention des personnes chargées d'organiser des célébrations eucharistiques dans un contexte œcuménique. Ce texte a été rédigé par un groupe de travail lors d'un colloque organisé par Foi et constitution et l'Institut œcuménique de Bossey pour réfléchir sur les expériences faites par les Eglises qui, au cours de ces dix dernières années, ont utilisé la « liturgie de Lima » non officielle.
• Cultiver la paix, vaincre la violence : avec le Christ, pour le monde
  Invitation à participer à un processus d'étude et de réflexion théologiques sur la paix, la justice et la réconciliation
  au cours de la Décennie « vaincre la violence » : les Eglises en quête de réconciliation et de paix 2001-2010. [site web de COE]
• Ecclesiology & Ethics study
  • Costly Unity [Deutsch]
  • Costly Commitment
  • Costly Obedience
• L'Église de tous - Déclaration provisoire (présenté au Comité central de 2003)
  « Dans certaines Églises, beaucoup sont de plus en plus convaincus que les personnes handicapées invitent l'Église à donner une interprétation nouvelle de l'Évangile et de la nature de l'Église. La présente Déclaration provisoire, réalisée avec la participation de la Commission de foi et constitution, vise surtout à attirer l'attention sur certaines questions théologiques fondamentales et à donner quelques orientations. Nous espérons que cette déclaration aidera les Églises à s'intéresser de plus près aux problèmes de l'inclusion, de la participation active et entière à la vie spirituelle et sociale de l'Église en particulier et de la société en général. » English, Deutsch, Español
• L’Église : Vers une vision commune
  La Commission de Foi et constitution du COE nous offre une déclaration sur l’Église, fruit de ses nombreuses années de travail sur l’ecclésiologie. Faisant suite au document Baptême, Eucharistie, Ministère (1982) et aux réactions des Églises à ce texte, L’Église – Vers une vision commune a été reçu, en 2012, par le Comité central, qui l’a transmis aux Églises en les encourageant à réfléchir plus avant sur l’Église et en leur demandant leurs réactions officielles. Cette étude et le processus de réactions qui l’accompagne joueront un rôle important au cours de ces prochaines années pour discerner les étapes ultérieures du chemin vers l’unité visible.
  Deutsch, English, Español
  • La nature et la mission de l'Eglise - Vers une déclaration commune (document de Foi et constitution n° 198, publié en 2005
    « Assez long (environ 18 000 mots), ce texte a été publié en décembre 2005. Il cherche à exprimer des convictions communes sur l'Eglise, sa nature et sa mission, et à identifier les problèmes ecclésiologiques qui continuent à diviser les Eglises aujourd'hui. Ce texte est remplacé le précédent document d'étude : La nature et le but de l'Église (document de Foi et constitution n° 181, publié en 1998). »
  • La nature et le but de l'Église: Vers une déclaration commune (document de Foi et constitution n° 181, publié en 1998)
    « Cette étude a pour objectif essentiel d'exprimer ce que les Églises peuvent maintenant dire ensemble sur la nature et le but de l'Église et, étant établi ce sur quoi elles sont d'accord, de préciser les points de désaccord qui demeurent. »
• Faith & Order Commission meetings
  • Plenary Commission Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 2004
  • Plenary Commission Meeting, Moshi, Tanzania, August, 1996
  • Fifth World Conference on Faith and Order, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 1993
• Message from the 7th International Consultation of United and Uniting Churches
  Driebergen, The Netherlands, 11-19 September 2002
• The Church: Towards a Common Vision
  The WCC’s Commission on Faith and Order presents to us a statement about the Church: it is a fruit of their many years of work on ecclesiology. Stemming from Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (1982) and the churches’ responses to it, The Church: Towards a Common Vision was received by the central committee in 2012 and sent to the churches to encourage further reflection on the Church and to seek their formal responses to the text. This study and its response process will have an important role in the coming years for discerning the next steps toward visible unity.
  Deutsch, Español, Français
  • The Nature and Mission of the Church - A Stage on the Way to a Common Statement (Faith and Order Paper no. 198)
    "This extended text (about 18,000 words) was published in December 2005. It seeks to express common convictions about the church, its nature and mission, and to identify the ecclesiological issues which continue to divide the churches today. This text replaced the previous study document The Nature and Purpose of the Church (Faith and Order Paper no. 181, issued in 1998)."
  • The Nature and Purpose of the Church: A Stage on the Way to a Common Statement (Faith and Order Paper no. 181, issued in 1998)
    "The main purpose of this study is to give expression to what churches can now say together about the nature and purpose of the Church and, within the perspective of that agreement, to state the remaining areas of disagreement."
• Nurturing Peace, Overcoming Violence: In the way of Christ for the sake of the World
  "An invitation to a process of theological study and reflection on Peace, Justice and Reconciliation during the Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches Seeking Peace and Reconciliation 2001-2010" [from the WCC website]
• One Baptism: Towards Mutual Recognition [a text-in-progress]
  This text-in-progress explores the churches' agreement -- and continuing differences -- on the meaning and practice of baptism. Taking up a suggestion from Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry the text sets the liturgical moment of baptism within a process of life-long growth into Christ, and seeks to encourage wider mutual recognition of baptism among the churches. Churches, study groups and individuals are invited to offer comments and reactions to the text through October, 2006. [texte en cours d'élaboration] (en anglais seulement)
  Ce texte en cours d'élaboration étudie l'accord existant -- ainsi que les différences qui demeurent -- entre les Eglises sur la signification et la pratique du baptême. Reprenant une suggestion de Baptême, Eucharistie, Ministère, ce texte replace le moment liturgique du baptême dans un processus de croissance en Christ qui dure toute la vie, et il cherche à promouvoir une plus large reconnaissance mutuelle du baptême entre Eglises. Les Eglises, groupes d'étude et personnes individuelles sont invités à faire connaître leurs commentaires et leurs réactions à ce texte d'ici à octobre 2006.
• Réunions de la Commission de Foi et Constitution
  • La 5e Conférence mondiale de Foi et constitution, Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle (Espagne), 1993 (en anglais seulement)
  • La réunion de la Commission plénière, Kuala Lumpur (Malaisie), août 2004
  • La réunion de la Commission plénière, Moshi (Tanzanie), août 1996 (en anglais seulement)
• Scripture, Tradition and Traditions: Report of Section II, Fourth World Conference on Faith and Order (Montreal, 1963)
  The report on Scripture, Tradition and Traditions was prepared for the 1963 Fourth World Conference on Faith and Order held in Montreal. It represents an important ecumenical advance that makes possible significant ecumenical agreements later in the 20th century on baptism, eucharist, authority, episcope, diakonia, etc...
• So We Believe, So We Pray: Towards Koinonia in Worship: The Ditchingham letter and report
  The "Letter to the Churches" and Report from the first consultation in Faith and Order's study programme on worship in relation to Christian Unity. The texts focus on the structure of Christian worship, on issues of inculturation, and on how, through worship, churches are already expressing their unity in Christ." [from the F&O website] (en anglais seulement)
  Il s'agit de la « Lettre aux Eglises » et du rapport du premier colloque (qui s'est tenu à Ditchingham, en Angleterre) du programme d'étude actuel de Foi et constitution sur le culte en rapport avec l'unité des chrétiens. S'inspirant des éléments fournis par le mouvement de renouveau liturgique et réalisé avec l'assistance de liturgistes réputés, ce texte s'intéresse spécifiquement à la structure commune du culte chrétien, à des problèmes d'inculturation dans le culte et à la manière dont, au travers du culte, les Eglises expriment déjà leur unité en Christ.
• Towards a Common Date of Easter
  World Council of Churches / Middle East Council of Churches Consultation, Aleppo, Syria, March 1997
  A proposal for the common reckoning of the Easter date, prepared in collaboration with the Middle East Council of Churches.
  • Common Response to the Aleppo Statement On the Date of Easter / Pascha
    Lutheran-Orthodox Dialogue in the U.S.A., July 12-13, 1999
  (en anglais seulement)
  Presque tous les ans, la fête de Pâques est célébrée à des dates différentes par, d'une part, les protestants et les catholiques romains et, d'autre part, les orthodoxes (les années 2007 et 2011 seront des exceptions). Ce texte, préparé par Foi et constitution en collaboration avec le Conseil des Eglises du Moyen-Orient, en examine les raisons et soumet une proposition pour adopter une date commune pour Pâques.
• Towards Sharing the One Faith
  A study guide on the Nicene Creed, and a vital part of Faith and Order's Apostolic Faith study.
• A Treasure in Earthen Vessels: An Instrument for an Ecumenical Reflection on Hermeneutics
  "This text explores the complex but often creative field of hermeneutics - the art of interpretation - focusing on the hermeneutical task entailed in the search for visible church unity."
• Un trésor dans des vases d'argile: Contribution à une réflexion œcuménique sur l'herméneutique
  « Ce texte explore le champ complexe mais souvent très fructueux de l'herméneutique -- qui est l'art de l'interprétation; il se concentre sur la dimension herméneutique de la recherche de l'unité visible des Églises. »
• The Unity of the Church as Koinonia: Gift and Calling
  The Canberra statement on unity approved by the 7th Assembly of the WCC at Canberra, Australia in February 1991. This text developed by Faith and Order is another of the "unity statements" adopted by WCC Assemblies over the years. It is one attempt to indicate the elements of "full communion" among churches. (déclaration de Canberra sur l'unité, en anglais seulement)
  Ce texte élaboré par Foi et constitution est l'une des autres « déclarations sur l'unité » adoptées par les Assemblées du COE au fil des années. On a voulu y présenter les éléments de « pleine communion » existant entre les Eglises.

WCC Mission and Evangelism

COE Mission et Évangélisation

• Publications
  • Called to One Hope - The Gospel in Diverse Cultures - Report of the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, 1996
    Edited by Christopher Duraisingh. English only, available from WCC Publications. Click here for more information.
  • CONTACT
    The health and community development magazine of the World Council of Churches. CONTACT deals with various aspects of the churches' and communities' involvement in health, and seeks to report topical, innovative and courageous approaches to the promotion of health and healing. Published in English, French and Spanish. Available online or by subscription.
  • Ecumenical Letter on Evangelism
    Published twice to four times a year in English, French and German; subscriptions and copies from the Mission and Evangelism Team. Issues of the Letter since 1999 are available online. [Français, Deutsch]
  • Gospel and Cultures Pamphlets
    Numbers 1-18. English only, available from WCC Publications. Click here for more information.
  • International Review of Mission - IRM
    Launched by the IMC as means of communication and for debate and study, IRM has the honour of being the oldest existing ecumenical journal on mission. It is published quarterly, in English, by WCC Publications. Click here for more information.
  • Towards Common Witness: A call to adopt responsible relationships in mission and to renounce proselytism
    A document commended to the churches by the WCC Central Committee, September 1997. [Français, Deutsch, Español]
• Publication importantes
  • Called to One Hope - The Gospel in Diverse Cultures - Report of the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, 1996
    Edited by Christopher Duraisingh. English only, available from WCC Publications. Click here for more information.
  • CONTACT
    The health and community development magazine of the World Council of Churches. CONTACT deals with various aspects of the churches' and communities' involvement in health, and seeks to report topical, innovative and courageous approaches to the promotion of health and healing. Published in English, French and Spanish. Available online or by subscription.
  • Gospel and Cultures Pamphlets
    Numbers 1-18. English only, available from WCC Publications. Click here for more information.
  • International Review of Mission - IRM
    Launched by the IMC as means of communication and for debate and study, IRM has the honour of being the oldest existing ecumenical journal on mission. It is published quarterly, in English, by WCC Publications. Click here for more information.
  • Lettre œcuménique sur l'évangélisation
    [English, Deutsch]
  • Vers un témoignage commun: Un appel à établir des relations responsables dans la mission et à renoncer au prosélytisme
    [English, Deutsch, Español]
• AIDS resourcesRessources au SIDA
  • Africa Praying: A Handbook on HIV/AIDS Sensitive Sermon Guidelines and Liturgy
    Editor: Musa W. Dube. This resource book has been produced to assist the church and its leaders to realize their full potential in the HIV/AIDS struggle. Contributing Writers: Isabel Apawo Phiri, Ezra Chitando, Tinyiko S. Maluleke, Felicidade Chirenda, Canon Gideon Byamugisha, Gladies Jeco, Prince Moiseraela Dibeela, Fulata L. Moyo, Musa W. Dube, Augustine C. Musopole, Cheryl Dibeela.
  • Churches and the HIV/AIDS pandemic: Analysis of the situation in 10 West/Central African countries
    Published by the WCC and the World Alliance of YMCAs, March 2001. Click here to read a summary of this report. The complete report is available from the Mission and Evangelism Team. [Résumé en français]
  • The Churches Confronted with the Problem of HIV/AIDS: Analysis of the Situation in Six Countries of Eastern Africa
    (Ethiopia – Kenya – Rwanda – Tanzania – Uganda – Zambia) Presented by Mutua Mulonzya.
  • Les Églises face à la pandémie du SIDA: Analyse de la situation dans 10 pays en Afrique de l'ouest
    Ceci est un résumé. Pour le rapport complet, contactez le bureau de mission et évangélisation. [Complete report in English]
  • Face au SIDA: L'action des Églises
  • Face au SIDA: Education dans des situations de vulnérabilité au SIDA
    [English, Español]
  • Facing AIDS - The Challenge, the Churches' Response - a WCC Study Document
  • Facing AIDS: Education in the Context of Vulnerability HIV/AIDS
    [Français, Español]
  • Guide pour l'accompagnement pastoral des personnes touchées par le VIH/SIDA
  • HIV/AIDS and the Curriculum: Methods of integrating HIV/AIDS in theological programmes
    Edited by Musa W. Dube, this is a collection of essays that "represents our efforts in the continent of Africa to contribute towards the struggle against HIV/AIDS". The collection came out of workshops to train theological educators on how to implement the HIV/AIDS curriculum in their educational institutions. It is also for those in the church who need to deal with HIV/AIDS in their preaching, Sunday-school sessions and liturgy.
  • Learning about AIDS. A manual for pastors and teachers by Birgitta Rubenson, 1989. Second revision 2002.
    Designed for teachers, pastors and youth leaders, this booklet gives the main facts about the disease as well as some ideas on how to inform about AIDS. It also gives some guidelines on counselling and supporting people with HIV/AIDS and their families.
    [Français, Español]
  • Modèles de prédications et de méditations bibliques dans le contexte du VIH/SIDA en Afrique
  • Plan d'action coordonné
    En novembre 2001, lors du colloque mondial sur les réponses œcuméniques aux problèmes posés par le VIH/sida en Afrique, qui s'est tenu à Nairobi, des dirigeants d'Église d'Afrique et des responsables d'organisations œcuméniques internationales et africaines ont élaboré un Plan d'action coordonné.   [English, Español, Portugues]
  • A Plan of Action, developed by African and international church leaders and African ecumenical organizations at a November 2001 global consultation on "Ecumenical Responses to the Challenges of HIV/AIDS in Africa" in Nairobi, called for the setting up of an enabling support structure under the WCC, now known as the EHAIA. [Français, Español, Portugues]
  • Responses of the faith-based organisations to HIV/AIDS in Sub Saharan Africa
    (November 2003 WCC publication)
  • Qu'est-ce que le SIDA? Manuel à l'usage des soignants
    [English, Español]
  • What is AIDS?
    A basic information booklet for health workers. 1987, revised 1989 & 1994 (28 pages). [Français, Español]

Joint Working Group between the Roman Catholic Church and the WCC

Groupe Mixte de Travail entre l'Église catholique romaine et le COE

• Relationships between the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church
  adopted by the Central Committee of the WCC, January 1965
• First Official Report (1966)
  • Joint Worship at Ecumenical Gatherings
• Second Official Report (1967)
• Patterns of relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches (1969)
  "Since 1965, with the mutual agreement to form a Joint Working Group, the Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches have supported various forms of official relations. At first the Joint Working Group limited itself to identifying and encouraging possibilities. for cooperation between Roman Catholic individuals, groups and organizations and various units of the WCC as well as for Roman Catholic participation in the work of these units. Soon the Joint Working Group found that certain projects were best carried out under its own patronage (e.g. the studies on Catholicity and Apostolicity and Common Witness and Proselytism), or through the establishment of a special joint group (e.g. the Joint Committee on Society, Development and Peace — SODEPAX). With the growth in cooperation between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches there arose the question of whether the existing structures were sufficient to meet the growing complexity of relations between the two. Individual writers began to discuss formal Roman Catholic membership in the World Council. The same question was treated in the Joint Working Group and raised at the General Assembly of the World Council (Uppsala, 1968). In his visit to the World Council headquarters in Geneva in 1969, Pope Paul VI publicly mentioned the question, adding that the answer at that time could not be a positive one because many theological and pastoral aspects of the question still had to be studied and resolved." [from the report] Note: this is not an official JWG study document. It is intended to stimulate discussion.]
• Third Official Report (1970)
  • Common witness and proselytism
  • Catholicity and apostolicity
• Future Joint activities of the RCC and WCC (1973)
• Fourth Official Report (1975)
  • Roman Catholic collaboration with the WCC (1975)
    submitted to the WCC Central Committee
• Fifth Official Report (1983)
  • Study document: Common Witness
• Sixth Official Report (1990)
  • The Church: Local and Universal
  • The Notion of 'Hierarchy of Truths': an Ecumenical Interpretation
• Seventh Official Report (1991-1998)
  • The History of the RCC/WCC Joint Working Group
  • The Ecumenical Dialogue on Moral Issues: Potential Sources of Common Witness or of Divisions (1995)
  • The Challenge of Proselytism and the Calling to Common Witness (1995)
  • Ecumenical Formation: Ecumenical Reflections and Suggestions (1993)
• Le septième rapport (1991-1998)
  • Histoire du Groupe Mixte de Travail entre l'ECR et le COE
  • Le dialogue œcuménique sur les questions morales : sources potentielles de témoignage commun ou de divisions
  • Le défi du prosélytisme et l'appel au témoignage commun
  • La formation œcuménique : réflexions et suggestions œcuméniques
• Consultation of the Joint Working Group (RCC/WCC) marking the JWG's 40th anniversary (17-19 November 2005)
  • Communiqué
  • Addresses: Catholicos Aram I; Cardinal Walter Kasper; Bishop Jonas Jonson; Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia
• Consultation du Groupe Mixte de Travail à la célébration du 40e anniversaire du GMT (17-19 novembre 2005)
  • Communiqué
  • Messages : Le catholicos Aram I ; Le cardinal Walter Kasper ; Mgr Jonas Jonson ; Le pasteur Samuel Kobia
• Eighth Official Report (1999-2005) PDF 360kb
  "This report outlines the activities of the JWG during these years and includes three completed study documents, as well as some themes pursued and issues addressed. Among the most valuable aspects of our work has been the Christian fellowship we have experienced, the sharing that has been possible of information from every part of the world, and the growth in communion and understanding that has taken place among us."
  • Ecclesiological and Ecumenical Implications of a Common Baptism
  • The Nature and Purpose of Ecumenical Dialogue
  • "Inspired by the Same Vision": Roman Catholic Participation in National and Regional Councils of Churches
• Le huitième rapport (1999-2005) PDF 566kb
  « Le présent rapport retracera les activités du Groupe pendant ces années, parmi lesquelles la rédaction de trois documents de travail, de même que quelques-uns des thèmes étudiés et des problèmes traités. L'un des aspects les plus importants de notre travail a été la fraternité chrétienne que nous avons vécue, le partage d'information qui a été possible concernant toutes les parties du monde, et la croissance en communion et en compréhension que nous avons connue. »
  • Implications ecclésiologiques et œcuméniques du baptême commun
  • Nature et objet du dialogue œcuménique
  • « Inspirés par la même vision »: La participation catholique aux Conseil nationaux et régionaux d'Églises

Other WCC publications

Divers documents du COE

• Ecumenical Prayer Cycle (calendar)
• Photo Oikumene

Editor:Rédacteur : Nicholas Jesson,
URL: http://ecumenism.net/docu/wcc.php
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