Opening of a New Ecumenical Office in Rome

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in partnership with the Waldensian Evangelical Church and the Church of Scotland will open an ecumenical office in Rome, Italy, in 2023.

“Today as never before, we are called as churches to rekindle the spirit of ecumenism in the life of the church worldwide, against any spirit of distancing. As Christian churches sharing a common confession of Christ as Lord, we are called to work together towards making visible the unity that Christ has already given to us,” said Reverend Najla Kassab, WCRC president.

The Waldensian Church will provide the physical space for the office while the Church of Scotland will provide the staff person, a position which will be split half time between the ecumenical office and pastoring St. Andrew’s Church in Rome.

“This office is created in the spirit of strong cooperation—with the possibility to establish an ecumenical office in this city, to take more responsibility in ecumenical commitment by facilitating the involvement of the global Reformed family, and to enlarge opportunities to be together in front of the world,” said Alessandra Trotta, moderator of the Waldensian Evangelical Church.

“The Church of Scotland is extremely excited and delighted to be playing a role in establishing the ecumenical office in Rome. The Church of Scotland, through St. Andrew’s Church, has been a witness to Christ in Rome since the 1860’s,” said Rhona Dunphy, interim pastor at St. Andrew’s, on behalf of the Church of Scotland. “We look forward to continuing ecumenical work and working together to witness to Christ.”

“We realize Rome is a location where important ecumenical conversations are taking place. We hope that the Reformed Ecumenical Office will allow the WCRC to participate more fully in the vibrant ecumenical discussions. We look forward to the next step in our common ecumenical journey with the Roman Catholic Church and others present here,” said Hanns Lessing, WCRC Acting General Secretary as part of the Collegial General Secretariat…

This news was originally published on the World Communion of Reformed Churches website. Please click here to read the full text.