Calvin Synod Herald, 1973 (73. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1973-10-01 / 10. szám

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

3

WARC SENDS ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS TO WCC

Geneva — A message, congratulating the World Council of Churches on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, was sent by the president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Dr. William P. Thompson, and general secretary, the Rev. Edmond Perret.

The full text of the message, which was sent to Dr. M. M. Thomas, chairman of the WCC Central Committee, reads as follows:

“On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the World Council of Churches, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches sends greetings to the officers of the World Council of Churches and its Central Committee now meeting in Geneva.

We rejoice at this festive event, giving thanks to God for all that has made the World Council of Churches what it is today, and praying God’s blessing on all it hopes to achieve in the years that lie ahead. It is our particularly fervent prayer that the search for unity among the churches and for the oneness for all mankind may continue with undiminished fervour.

As a World Confessional Family we look back with gratitude on the many opportunities that have been given to us to cooperate with the World Council of Churches and to share in its thinking; our staff have greatly valued and continue to value the close working relations with World Council of Churches staff which our joint presence in the Ecumenical Centre affords.

In conveying to the World Council of Churches’ Central Committee our warmest congratulations, we should like to reaffirm our commitment to the ecumenical movement as expressly laid down in the constitution of the Alliance, describing one of its purposes in these terms:

to facilitate the contribution to the ecumenical movement of the experience and insights which churches within this Alliance have been given in their history, and to share with churches of other traditions within that movement, and particularly in the IForld Council of Churches, in the discovery of forms of church life and practice which will enable the people of God more fully to understand and express together God’s will for his people.

May the Spirit of God guide you all in your deliberations.” RPS

Geneva Cathedral Scene for WCC Anniversary Service

Geneva — A service of thanksgiving to mark the 25th anniversary of the formation of the World Council of Churches was held in the Cathedral of St. Pierre here, on August 26. Members of the WCC Central Committee, together with fraternal delegates and consultants joined members of the National Protestant Church of Geneva in an act of worship that was broadcasted by nine television networks in seven European countries.

Among those who lead the service, were Dr. Willem A. Visser’t Hooft and Dr. Eugene Carson Blake, former general secretaries, and Dr. Philip Potter, the present general secretary of the WCC. The singing was led by an ecumenical centre choir, conducted by Mrs. Doreen Potter.

It was in the historic Cathedral of St. Pierre that John Calvin in the 16th century preached the doctrine of the Reformation, enouncing the principles of public worship, public education and democratic church government. RPS

Wartburg — Drawing by Zoltán Koncz, Újfehértó, Hungary

EVANQELISM IN FRANCE

In the past, France was called the “older daughter of the Church,” but today she is a dechristianized or a past Christian country. The priest, Godin-Daniel, writes about her as “La France, Pays de Mission” (194.3).

There are three major causes for dechristianization in France:

1. The Broken Down Families. About fourfifths of the population have no contact whatsoever with the Church and live in total ignorance of the Bible. What adds to this break down in families is the fact that French people are individualists.

2. Public Schools. About ninety-five percent of the teachers in the public schools have no Church affiliation and is the most “dechristianized profession.”

The people are divided between the Church and school; the male adult and adolescent being under the influence of the school and the female adult and adolescent being under the influence of the Church.

3. Migration. Because the French people want to live an easier fife, there has been extensive migration from the farming areas to the large cities. In