VATICAN CITY, MAY 9, 2005 (VIS) - The World Conference on Mission and Evangelization, convened by the Department for Mission and Evangelization of the Geneva-based World Council of Churches (WCC) starts today in Athens, Greece. For the first time the eight-day meeting is being held in a country whose majority is Orthodox, according to a communique published today by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
An estimated 600 delegates, representing Churches and ecclesial communities affiliated with the WCC are present for the meeting which will take place on the theme "Come Holy Spirit: Heal and Reconcile." The Catholic delegation, headed by Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the pontifical council, numbers 26 people, including representatives of the Mixed Working Group between the Catholic Church and the WCC, the Roman Curia, the Federation of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, missionary orders, lay movements within missionary orders and movements committed to Christian Unity.
The Athens assembly follows the previous such meeting that took place in 1996 in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil on the theme "Called to One Hope - the Gospel in Diverse Cultures."
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in the course of its collaboration with the WCC, and through its consultors set up within the Department of Mission and Evangelization, has contributed to the process of reflection for the convocation and preparation of this meeting. The Catholic Church in Greece also gave a contribution and will be present at the conference with a delegate.
The delegation of the Catholic Church, which is not a member of the WCC, will participate in the assembly as an observer.
CON-UC/WCC:MISSION:EVANGELIZATION/ATHENS VIS 20050509 (290)
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