Dear participants to the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches,
We greet you warmly from the Catholicosate of Cilicia as you are convened in
Busan for the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches.
The 10th Assembly is an important landmark, a time to harvest the fruits of
more than half a century of ecumenical work and a time to set the framework for the way forward.
We vividly recall our involvement in the life and work of the World Council
of Churches, and invite all of you to contribute to the ecumenical movement
in general and the World Council of Churches in particular with renewed
vision and firm commitment. Your gathering in South Korea brings to mind our
memorable visit to Korea in1999 as moderator, when we witnessed the
difficult life of a divided Korean Peninsula and the vigor of our member
churches.
The 10th Assembly’s prayerful theme, “God of life, lead us to justice and
peace,” resonates deeply in our thoughts and feelings as we write to you
from the Middle East, where Christians are courageously responding to the
challenges of injustice and war as obedient witnesses of our Lord Jesus
Christ, encouraged by the words of the Prince of justice and peace: “Do not
be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you
the kingdom” (Luke 12.32). For Christians and Muslims in the Middle East,
coexistence has always been expressed through a dialogue of life aimed at
justice and peace.
Life is a gift of God; it is alsoĀ a God-given vocation to humanity. In our
world today, however, life is destroyed daily by spiritual, physical, moral
and environmental damage. Destroying life is a sin against God. Building
awareness to protect life in all its aspects and expressions is integral to
the church’s mission and the way to justice and peace. Therefore, life,
justice and peace are intertwined. True life implies justice and there can
be no peace without justice. This holistic understanding is at the heart of
the biblical teachings.
In 2015, we shall commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, which was perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey, and which today is still
denied by the Republic of Turkey. We have asked the General Secretary, Rev.
Olav Fykse Tveit, to mark this tragic event and ask for the prayers and
solidarity actions of member churches.
An Assembly of the World Council of Churches is a blessed occasion for
prayer, celebration, reflection and deliberation. Protecting life, promoting
justice and working for peace are at the core of the ecumenical vocation and
missionary engagement of the church. This is, indeed the esse of being
church and being ecumenical.
With these thoughts in mind we join you in your prayers, “God of life, lead
us to justice and peace.”
Aram I
Catholicos of Cilicia
4 November 2013
Antelias – Lebanon
photo credit: Ā©Peter Williams/WCC
