Ruth V Choi
Ecumenical Delegate of the ACC
I would like to express my gratitude for the invitation to enjoy your fellowship and to participate in your spiritual and theological search. It is a privilege and a high honour for me to bring you the greetings on behalf of the Anglican Consultative council, as the family of WARC is here in Seoul gathered from the ends of the earth for the first time in seven years. We are very thankful to WARC for choosing the theme of the council "Who do you say that I am?" particularly at this fragile and crucial time in world history which requires renewed discipleship and solidarity with all the Christian communion.
I remember Dr Allan Boesak who spoke powerfully at the ACC in Singapore, and reminded us of the unity we seek. Ecumenical unity among the Christian churches has gradually been encouraged by the various theological conversations. If I may quote from the address of the Archbishop of Canterbury, "ecumenism is not in fact a threat to our identity but its enlargement." The Lambeth Conference's commitment to ecumenical action and in particular its resolution about Anglican-Reformed relations emphasize that the conference was impressed by the insight of the report of the Anglican-Reformed conversations, "God's reign and our unity", particularly by the way in which the unity and mission of the church and the quest for human unity are set within the context of the kingdom of God. The conference commended this text for widespread study and synodical reception throughout the Anglican communion.1
The ACC is praying that this council may be a positive step on the way to unity and most joyous and fruitful in the grace of God, so that the churches may become a more credible sign of the kingdom of God in our world.
Note
1 Resolution: The Lambeth Conference ..."requests the ACC to consult with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches
(Presbyterian and Congregational) over the setting up of a small continuation committee to encourage wider study and Implementation In life of the insights of this (Anglican/Reformed) dialogue as a contribution towards growth In unity"
