Major public issues on which the committee agreed action were:
• The war in Lebanon and northern Israel: central committee called for a sustainable and unconditional ceasefire and lifting the blockade of Lebanon;
• Children in conflicts, with focus on Northern Uganda: expressed concern at the threat to international peace and security and impediments to the provision of humanitarian emergency aid as a result of the ongoing conflict;
• Just trade: called on churches to encourage their governments to continue working for a new multilateral trade mechanism, with a new set of multilateral trade rules which are just and democratic;
• A compassionate response to HIV and AIDS: called for universal access to treatment, care and support, and encouraged churches to continue to play a critical role in overcoming the pandemic and to welcome persons living with HIV and AIDS;
• 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.
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.