‘Accept Each Other Regardless Of Differences’: Christian Leaders Tackle Division
The World Council of Churches’ Faith and Order Conference, held in Egypt to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, brought together a wide range of Christian leaders over the last five days in search of renewed unity. Yet, as inspiring as the goal may have been, the path toward visible Christian unity remains fraught with challenges — theological, historical, cultural and even practical.
The confab brought together leaders from across Christian traditions — including Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches — and underscored both the enduring hope for reconciliation, along with the deep divisions that still fracture the global church.
Just the sixth Faith and Order Conference to take place since 1927, the rarity of such gatherings underscores how slow progress has been. Yet the setting of Wadi El Natrun — the birthplace of monasticism — reminded participants of Christianity’s deep spiritual roots and shared heritage. The dialogue initiated at the conference was the start, attendees said, rather than the end of a process.
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“How do we have these discussions on doctrine and issues that may have divided Christians over the centuries?” WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr Jerry Pillay asked. “How do we find our way together?”
The answer came in the form of a statement issued on Tuesday at the conference’s conclusion: “Where now for visible unity? In this on-going journey, this is our call: to renew our commitment to faith, mission, and unity in Christ Jesus; to listen together to the Holy Spirit; to walk together as pilgrims: as children of the Father learning together to live out our faith, hope, and love, and in the practice of justice, reconciliation, and unity,” read the message.
Over the centuries, Christianity has been marked by schisms — most notably between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, and later within Western Christianity during the Protestant Reformation. Within Protestantism, the divides continue – one earlier this month after the Church of England named a new female Archbishop of Canterbury.
The WCC doesn’t have within its membership all Christian denominations. It’s member churches are largely on the doctrinal left. As speakers and delegates discussed global issues over the past few days, issues that divide both churches and society were brought up.
Dr. Antje Jackelen, a retired archbishop in the Church of Sweden, warned that the world “suffers from the five poisonous P’s”: Polarization, populism, protectionism, post-truth and patriarchy. While did she not mention any particular political leader by name, Jackelen’s speech on Saturday was in line with the WCC and its historical focus on social justice and progressive theology.
“Populism pits people against each other and fails to do justice to the complexities of current crises, nurturing hostility and even hate toward those who are different from us and claiming primacy or superiority of one group over others, which in turn results in scapegoating, racism, xenophobia and irrational fear of ethnic, religious and sexual minorities,” she said.
Jackelen said “patriarchy boosts a global pushback on the rights of women and girls, promotes toxic masculinities and counteracts gender justice” — although many in attendance included Catholic and Coptic Christian leaders who do not allow women to serve as clergy.
Politics and faith weren’t exclusive to this gathering. The Council of Nicaea marked the transition from Christians being a persecuted minority to becoming a church recognized by ruling Roman Empire. As a result, the council was a highly politically motivated gathering, said the Very Rev. Dr Evangelos Thiani of the Nairobi archdiocese of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa.
“Under [Emperor] Constantine, the relationship between church and state took a new direction,” he explained. “The state’s influence of religious affairs and theology along with the churches use of the state in its missionary efforts and expansion began to evolve.”
While Pope Leo XIV did not take part in person, the conference did feature involvement by the Catholic Church, although it isn’t a WCC member. However, the Catholic Church has been a full member of the organization’s Commission on Faith and Order since 1968.
On the conference’s second day, Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, addressed the delegates – but kept his remrks limited to the legacy of the Council of Nicaea.
Bringing the blessing of Pope Leo XIV, he described Nicaea as being of particular ecumenical significance because it took place at a time when Christianity had not yet been wounded by the numerous divisions that followed.
The Vatican has engaged in dialogue and reconciliation efforts with Eastern Orthodox churches since the mid-20th century, particularly after the Second Vatican Council. These attempts have aimed to bridge the centuries-old schism, but face significant hurdles, including theological differences over papal authority.
“If our shared reflection on the mystery of the Triune God sheds new light on the identity of the church, the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea could become a milestone in ecumenical unity,” Koch said in his Saturday keynote address. “In this sense, Pope Leo XIV has said that Nicaea is not only a commemoration of the past, but also a beautiful indication today for re-finding the unity of the church.”
Holding the conference in Egypt allowed organizers to place both Africa and the Middle East at the center of their discussions. It also helped that Egypt was the place Jesus, Mary, and Joseph fled to Egypt to escape King Herod – something that was pointed out by many throughout the conference.
Dr. Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, stuck an optimistic tone, saying Christian unity is “much more visible than we think.”
“Christians accept each other regardless their differences. We are in a way one. Unity is there,” he added. ‘We just need to know how to live it.”
Clemente Lisi is the executive editor of Religion Unplugged.