Ecumenical officers are designated WCC member church officials appointed to encourage, assist, and resource Christian unity. They work to build relationships, organize joint community initiatives, and foster theological dialogue between different Christian denominations. The Rev. Fr Dr Lawrence Iwuamadi, Academic Dean of the WCC’s Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, highlighted the institute’s 80-year history and current academic programs annually serving 30-35 students from 28 countries and 25 church traditions. He described Bossey as a “safe space” for ecumenical formation and outlined plans for celebrating the 80th anniversary next October, which will include the official launch of the Bossey alumni network.
Participants in the 2025 Global Theological Ecumenical Institute (GETI) in Egypt (Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC)
The event also included other presentations and reflections on the impact of ecumenical formation. Dr. Gustav Claassen, from the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, shared that “ecumenical formation is the lifelong journey of learning to see Christ in one another, and together to witness to God’s reconciling love.” Dr. Ani Ghazaryan Drissi, WCC Program Executive for Ecumenical Theological Education, highlighted three key initiatives: Global Ecumenical Theological Institutes (GETI), Regional Ecumenical Theological Institutes (RETI), and Global Networks. Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, Ecumenical Officer of the United Methodist Church and member of the IAMSCU Board of Directors, shared that the world is now “facing an increase of polarization, [so] ecumenical formation is as important as 80 years ago.” She also stressed the need to increase education and formation initiatives, so that a new generation of leaders can become “educators and bridge-builders in their communities.” For more information on the World Council of the Churches and their educational initiatives, visit their website: https://www.oikoumene.org/