Climate change, its causes and consequences as well as the role of churches worldwide, are at the centre of a 7-14 July 2008 visit to the Pacific region by World Council of Churches general secretary the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia.
During a series of encounters with leaders of WCC member churches and other religious and secular figures in Papetee (French Polynesia), Nadi (Fiji) and Apia (Samoa), a WCC delegation led by Dr Kobia is discussing climate change issues, as well as consequences of nuclear testing and this year’s focus on the region of the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence.
Inspired by the theme “Witnessing to the peace of God in Oceania”, a number of activities and events are taking place during the year in the region as local churches work to highlight ways to overcome cultural and ethnic violence and to promote human rights in communities, workplaces, schools or homes.
In Nadi, the visit of the WCC general secretary coincides with a 9-15 July meeting of a group of church representatives planning the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation to take place in Jamaica in 2011. The WCC delegation and the planning group will participate at a forum on how churches in the region and worldwide are addressing the issue of violence.
The WCC and many of its member churches have been at the forefront of work aimed at raising awareness about climate change over the last two decades, with the Pacific churches playing a significant role in it. The latter have also brought to the world’s attention the consequences of nuclear testing in the region.
More: WCC work on climate change: http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=3127