Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>
Date Mon, 12 Apr 2004 14:04:31 -0700
All Africa Conference of Churches
Information and Communication Desk
P. O. Box 14205
00800 Westlands
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 254 – 020 – 4441483 / 4441338/9
Fax: 254 – 020 – 4443241, 4445835
E-mail: infodesk@aacc-ceta.org
Website:
High Ranking Leader Of A Global Church Organisation Arrives In
Nairobi.
NAIROBI, April 12, 2004 – The Moderator of the Geneva based World
Council of Churches (WCC) His Holiness Aram I arrives in Nairobi
tomorrow (Tuesday April 13) to effectively place Africa on the global
agenda.
As a moderator who chairs WCC Central Committee the highest WCC policy
making organ after WCC General Assembly, his official visits attract
global attention which includes the attention of some 400 million
Christians world-wide who form the congregational membership of WCC
global network of member churches.
He is the most prominent leader of the Church outside the Roman
Catholic Church.
WCC is the world’s broadest and most inclusive ecumenical (fellowship
of churches) organisation. It enjoys a membership of 320 churches from
virtually all Christian traditions in 120 countries in all
continents. The Roman Catholic Church works cooperatively with WCC
although it is not a member Church.
Asked of his vision for Africa as he planned this visit, he stated:-
Africa is becoming an important region for many reasons. The
ecumenical movement must take Africa very seriously. Africa cannot
remain on the periphery of the international community. Its problems
are our problems. Its dreams are our dreams. Its struggle is our
struggle. The ecumenical movement is called to participation in all
processes and actions that are aimed at establishing lasting peace in
Africa.
His Holiness Aram I comes to strengthen the Church in Africa in its
own work of healing the wounds of the continent noted Rev Dr H. Mvume
Dandala, the General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of
Churches (AACC) adding that while the church plays leading roles in
the endeavours of the people of Africa, it needs unity in its thrust.
Upon his arrival at noon, His Holiness Aram 1 will address a press
conference at 2.30 p.m. Tuesday February 13, 2004 at the lounge of
Ufungamano House before he addresses a public lecture at the same
venue at 3.00 p.m.
On the following day Wednesday April 14 at 8.0 a.m., he will conduct a
ceremony in which he will bless Africa. The ceremony will be at the
AACC Chapel on Waiyaki Way, Westlands.
A wrap-up press conference is planned for Thursday 15th April at 2.330
p.m. at the Grand Regency Hotel.
He travels to Rwanda on Friday April 16, 2004. Having experienced the
impact of Armenian genocide known as the genocide of the 20th Century
(as Rwanda triggered the genocide of the 21st Century) His Holiness
Aram I makes key contribution of memory of genocide.
His Holiness Aram I, a PhD in Theology holder, is an author of a dozen
books, his recent book being a collection of essays entitled: The
Challenge to be a Church in a Challenging World.
He was elected Catholicos of the See of Gilicia of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, Oriental Orthodox, Antelias, Lebanon in 1995.
He visits Africa at the invitation of the AACC and the National
Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), for Kenya and National Council of
Churches of Rwanda, for Rwanda visit.
For further information, contact:
Mitch Odero
HEAD OF
COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMME