WCC NEWS: WCC shares insights on Nicaea with Partners in Global Mission

World Council of Churches (WCC) programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba shared a presentation on the Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, and its 1700th anniversary to be commemorated in 2025, with Partners in Global Mission (Anglican Communion).  Programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba, Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC 3 December 2024 She spoke at a conference, titled “Rethinking Mission,” that is exploring how Nicaea 1700 can offer possibilities for the re-imagination of Christian faith, unity, and witness for the healing of a divided humanity and a wounded planet. Nalwamba offered a broad overview of how commemorating this special anniversary can reaffirm our common faith in uncommon times. “The council’s legacy has had lasting ecumenical implications, promoting a unified Christian identity that transcends denominations and cultural contexts,” she said. “The Council of Nicaea’s influence extends beyond its theological assertions, serving as a bridge across Christian traditions.” This ecumenical spirit calls churches to act together in a divided world, Nalwamba noted. “Today, this unity must extend beyond theological agreement to active collaboration in areas such as social justice, interfaith dialogue, and environmental stewardship,” she said. “The council’s legacy reminds Christians of their shared identity in Christ, inspiring collaboration on issues of economic inequality, racial injustice, and systemic oppression.” Nalwamba also noted how a unified church can offer hope to a fragmented world. “This witness includes visible acts of unity, such as coordinated efforts to address hunger, care for displaced peoples, and advocate for peace in areas of conflict,” she said. “By recommitting to this journey, churches can build relationships of mutual accountability and care, ensuring that no one is left behind on the path toward unity, justice, and peace.”   Nicaea 2025 Learn more about the WCC work on Mission and Evangelism Commission on World Mission and Evangelism   See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland