Salvation Army in Ecumenical Conversations at WCC Assembly printable version mail article to

Porto Alegre/Brazil,, 15.02.2006/APD

The Salvation Army's special international delegation is in Brazil this week for the 9th WCC Assembly where it hopes to realise greater Church commitment.

An international delegation from The Salvation Army is in Porto Alegre, Brazil, for the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, where it is engaging in numerous 'ecumenical conversations'.

The conversations at the Assembly, which ends February 23, will focus on a variety of topics relating to the life and witness of the Christian Church today.

The Salvation Army 12-man delegation, mainly consisting of members from Latin America and the Caribbean, is hoping to contribute to the WCC conference from a 'Salvation Army missional perspective'.

It also hopes to "come away with a greater commitment to Church unity, economic justice, overcoming violence, and Church identity," it said.

The Salvation Army spokesperson said: “This is an opportunity for our delegates to have their vision of the worldwide Church enlarged and learn to appreciate in a greater way its unity and diversity.

"As Salvationists, we will know the privilege God has given us, not just to learn from other Church traditions but to contribute to the body of Christ with the gifts and calling he has given this Army."

The Salvation Army will also has an "Army exhibit" focusing on programmes around the world serving women and children. Salvation Army representatives will use their own experience in ministry to help them explain to other denominations the work of The Salvation Army.

General secretary of the WCC said of the history-making event: "Assemblies are often turning points in the life of the World Council and this Assembly will surely leave its mark on ecumenical history."

The World Council of Churches’ first assembly since 1998 brings together nearly 1,000 delegates from its constituency and about 500 guests from other Christian World Communions to focus on finding new common ground during times of "radical changes."

In the 1970s, the Salvation Army, together with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland withdrew their WCC membership following grants, for humanitarian purposes made from the WCC Special Fund to Combat Racism, to liberation movements in southern Africa.

Today among traditions outside WCC membership are Roman Catholicism, Seventh-day Adventism and the Salvation Army. But they belong, however, to national and/or regional Christian councils and have fraternal relations as Christian World Communions.

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