Despite setbacks and constraints, the cause of greater Christian unity and outward-looking cooperation in Britain and Ireland is still strong, a gathering of ecumenists has said.

Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I has called for the creation of a churches' umbrella body in Europe to include Catholics alongside Anglicans, Orthodox and Protestants.

The World Council of Churches has identified two candidates – one a Korean Presbyterian and the other a Norwegian Lutheran – for the post of its general secretary in 2010.

Richard Mortimer has been appointed deputy general secretary of the United Reformed Church. He moves from a role in guiding the Church’s links with other Christian traditions, as secretary for ecumenical relations.

A bishop from Russia's Arctic region of Chukotka who attacked the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church for its ties to the Kremlin and for its involvement with other churches.

Can saints and martyrs – or simply Christians who lived exemplary lives – help unite and focus the churches in the C21st century? An international group of experts will discuss this and related questions at a symposium in Italy.

Christian denominations working through the ecumenical Action of Churches Together and the Catholic network Caritas are contributing short- and long-term aid to those hit by hurricanes and tropical storms recently.

Churches working for and end to outbreaks of ethnic and religious conflict in Indonesia will receive a solidarity visit from an international ecumenical delegation sent by the World Council of Churches.

English church leaders have called on Christians to use the period of 1 September to 4 October 2008 as an opportunity to put the environment at the heart of their prayer, worship and practical concern. This is part of a regular initiative.