Church Council Executive Committee in Landmark First Meeting

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee is currently meeting at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute outside Geneva from until 19 May 2006, for its first session since its election at the Council's 9th Assembly in Brazil earlier this year.

The committee has been given the commission to focus on how the WCC will reorganise its programmatic priorities. They are expected to focus on a limited number of core activities, in line with the Assembly's recommendations.

The executive committee is also scheduled to issue statements on major international issues, in particular the situation in the Middle East.

The 25-member committee, which includes members appointed by churches in every region, is moderated by Rev. Dr Walter Altmann from Brazil.