World Council of Churches Meeting 2013 at BUSAN

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, by the end of 2012 the WCC had 345 member churches representing more than 500 million Christians from Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other traditions in over 110 countries over the world.
The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches was held at Busan, Republic of Korea. The theme of the conference is ‘God of Life, Lead us to justice and peace’. The Assembly started from 30th October 2013 and ended on 8th November 2013.
General Assembly of WCC was held from October 30th to November 8th at Busan, South Korea.
His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa,
Adv. Varghese Mammen (Lay Trustee & Treasurer), Mr. Anoop C. John (Sabha Council member), Rev. Dr. Iype Joseph, Rev. Sam T. Koshy, Rev. Abraham Varghese, Mr. John Titus and Mr. Georgie Alexander attended the WCC meeting as representatives of the Mar Thoma Church.
The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches has elected the Central Committee in a closed session at its proceedings in Busan, Republic of Korea. The Assembly elected a 150-member Central Committee, which serves as the main decision-making body of the Council between assemblies. Rt.Rev.Dr.Isaac Mar Philoxenos, Bishop of the Mar Thoma Syian Church of Malabar, at present serving as the Bishop of the Chennai – Bangalore Diocese and also as the President of the Senate of Serampore University, has been elected to the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches for the Assembly Meeting to be held in the year 2020.
Mrs. Achamma Joseph served as the member of nominations committee, Mr. Noble Mathew served as the member of Public issues committee, Rev. Sam Koshy and Arline Mathew gave valuable theological inputs in Business meetings. Ms. Simi Thambi served as one of 117 youth stewards of WCC. Rev. Abraham Varghese and Rev. Sam Koshy got a rare opportunity to lead a workshop on Media during the Assembly. Rev. Dr. Ipe Joseph presented a paper on Christian education during Ecumenical conversations. Adv. Varghese Mammen, Lay Trustee of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, Mr. Anoop C. John, Mr. John Titus and Mrs. Kusumam Titus also participated in the assembly from Mar Thoma Syrian Church Of Malabar. Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, Director, Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, WCC was the moderator of Public issues committee.
The new 150-person Central Committee counts women: 39%, men: 61%, youth: 13%, indigenous persons: 5%, persons with disabilities: 2%, ordained: 68%, and 32% of the members of the committee are lay persons. The nomination committee for the Selection of the Central committee elected 150 member names put forward by the WCC’s 345 member churches.
Bishop Rt.Rev.Dr.Isaac Mar Philoxenos has been elected among the 25 persons from the Continent of Asia. Beloved Bishop has been elected to the Central Committee for the Second consecutive time. This Central committee will elect a 25-person executive committee, a moderator and two vice-moderators, later.
The Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar (http://marthoma.in) takes this occasion to congratulate Bishop Rt Rev Dr Isaac Mar Philoxenos on being elected to the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC).