World Church Assembly To Open In India Today

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 16

World Church Assembly To Open In India Today

Leaders of the World Coun. cil of Churches will meet in New Delhi, India, from today to December 6.

This third assembly promises to be “one of the most important church meetings of this generation,” says the National Council of Churches in a statement released yesterday. The assembly will bring representatives of the 175 Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox member churches to the capital of India, the council says.

In all, there will be nearly 1000 churchmen and women at the assembly—«2s official delegates and the rest observers, advisers, fraternal delegates and special guests. New Zealand has sent 25 to the assembly. “Jesus Christ, Light of the World,” is the theme of this first world church assembly held in Asia.

Mission And Unity It will be the first time two ecumenical streams of world Christianity mission and unity—have been brought into a single organisation. The World Council of Churches and the International Missionary Council will be integrated. It will also be the first time the assembly has been asked to consider the big Russian Orthodox Church inside the Soviet Union for membership. If accepted, the Russian church wdl come into continuous contact with other Christians after many years of isolation, says the council. Fos- the first time Roman Catholic observers will attend a Worid Council of Churcbes assembly. Five observers have been named by the new Vatican Secretariat for Christian Unity. The assembly provides the major forum for Christian leaders to discuss Christian unity and to chart the course of the organisation the churches have formed to promote this cause. The last assembly was held in 1954 in Evanston, Illinois. Within the broad outline of

the main theme, church leaders will focus attention on “service” and "unity,” dealing respectively with taking the Christian message to those outside the churches, Christian responsibility for toe whole of society, and unity among churches.

The main assembly sessions will be held in Vigyan Bhavan Hall, a modern conference hall built by the Government to house a U.N.E.S.C.O. conference. New Zealand Party The New Zealand party named by the national council comprises:— Church of England: The Archbishop of New Zealand (the Most Rev. N. A. Lesser), toe Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren), the Rev. M. Cameron (Auckland), toe Rev. A, Gray (London), and Mr N. H. Buchanan (Christchurch). Presbyterian: The Rev. J. M. Bates (Dunedin), toe Rev. R. M. Rogers (Christchurch), Mr N. Perry (Opotiki). Methodist: The Rev. G. R H. Petersen (Wellington), the Rev. E. C. Leadley (Auckland). Baptist: The Rev. J. T. Crozier (Dunedin). Congregational: The Rev N. Cocks (New South Wales). Church of Christ: Dr. A. L. Haddon (Dunedin). National Council of Churches: The Rev. R. Hart (Christchurch). Salvation Army: Colonel (Dr.) A. Bramwell Cook (Wellington). . Youth Committee of the National Council of Churches: Miss D. Lock (Christchurch), Miss M. Moore (Christchurch). Official visitors: The Rev. R D. Rakena (Hokianga), the Rev. D. B. Martin (Auckland). Press representatives: The Rev. A W. McMillan (Taurangai. Mrs A. Whitelaw (Wellington), Miss J. Begg (Dunedin). Stewards: Mr G. H. Braithwaite (Wellington), Miss D. Tucker (Dunedin).