• Extra-judicial killings in the Philippines: called on the government of the Philippines to disband "death squads", private militias and paramilitary forces and instruct the military to cease listing churches and church workers as "enemies of the state";
• Conflict in Sri Lanka: called on the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to put an immediate end to all hostilities and resume peace negotiations;
• Sudan: requested that the viability of arranging a high-level delegation made up of church representatives and members of the Muslim community to visit and meet with government officials in Sudan as well as representatives of the Darfur region be considered;
• Kosovo: encouraged religious leaders of Kosovo to continue to work for reconciliation.
New commissions and advisory bodiesThe central committee mandated the integration of four existing consultative bodies into a strengthened Commission of the Churches on International Affairs. Kobia said the commission will foster coherence, interaction and cooperation at the strategic and programme levels. The new body will coordinate ecumenical action on a spectrum of key ecumenical concerns, including public affairs, diakonia and development, justice, peace and ecology, and inter-religious relations and dialogue.
Other commissions and consultative bodies which were confirmed by the central committee are: the Permanent Committee on Consensus and Collaboration, Commission on World Mission and Evangelism, Commission on Ecumenical and Faith Formation, the Joint Working Group between the Roman Catholic Church and the WCC, the Joint Consultative Group between Pentecostal Churches and the WCC, and the Joint Commission between Christian World Communions and the WCC.
Youth body
In line with priorities agreed at the 9th Assembly, a new 25-member youth body was established to foster greater participation and support for young ecumenical leaders in the WCC. The youth body is expected to increase the visible presence of young adults in the life and work of the council.
Staffing and finance
Reviewing the finances and budget of the council, the committee was informed that, despite an underlying decline in income, the council was enjoying improved financial stability and was able to maintain its current programmatic priorities. Current staffing levels - 162 full-time working positions - will be reorganised around the revised programme strategy.Membership matters
Two churches entered the process established by new rules governing WCC membership approved by the 9th Assembly. The Lao Evangelical Church and the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil were welcomed for an interim period during which they will participate in the work of the WCC and interact with the local fellowship of member churches in their own contexts. The next meeting of the central committee will consider the reception of the two churches into the fellowship.
Gift of unity
Concluding his first meeting as central committee moderator, Rev. Dr Walter Altmann underlined that the churches in the WCC were continuing "a journey of gratitude for God's marvellous gift of unity".
He told a press conference following the meeting that the week-long gathering of church members from throughout the world had strengthened ecumenical fellowship and commitment in times of fragmentation, a globalised economy and conflict.
"Ecumenical commitment is more necessary than ever," he said.
