"This meeting allowed us to foster the programmes of the Council and, in a number of respects, move forward our ecumenical journey as churches, with the aim of calling one another to visible unity," said the Rev Dr Walter Altmann, moderator of the WCC central committee.
The central committee met February 13-20 addressing challenges facing the church, including climate change, HIV and Aids, and the Kenya crisis as well as WCC's contribution to the ecumenical movement. The world body represents more than 560 million Christians in some 110 countries.
Among seven public issues statements adopted by the central committee, one called for immediate action on the environmental issue, urging churches to strengthen their moral stand on the issue and to be stewards of God's creation.
"As climate change effects are 'being experienced already in many parts of the world,' it affirms that 'action must be taken now.' Churches 'can take key leadership roles,'" said the statement.
Climate change campaigns have recently gained momentum among Christian organisations and churches that say caring for the environment is a Christian issue. But not all Christians have hopped on board to make climate change a priority among other issues such as abortion.
Addressing the post-election violence in Kenya, several speakers in Geneva condemned the violence and emphasised the important role the church plays in bringing peace and stability to Kenya. Since the contentious December 27 election, more than 1,000 people have died and a half a million more have been displaced.
"We believe that for Kenya and Africa, church unity and ecumenical cooperation is not just an optional alternative," said Rev Dr Mvume Dandala, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, which is based in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. "Sometimes the churches have to work hard if they are to be relevant."
