Ninth WCC Assembly to focus on theme of transforming grace

"God, in your grace, transform the world" will be the theme of the Ninth General Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC), planned for February 2006 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The decision was taken today by the WCC Central Committee meeting in Geneva, August 26 to September 2.

The final wording of the theme in English, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese will be announced after the officers’ meeting in November.

The Central Committee also approved the budget for the Assembly, which will be 6.3 million CHF.

The Ninth Assembly will have 700 delegates, almost 300 less than in previous years. It will last for 10 days, two days less than previously.

The churches have been asked to inform the WCC by February 2004 of their exact membership, so that their level of representation may be defined and that the Assembly may be inclusive and balanced.

“The Assembly should become a space which reflects the dynamic of the wider ecumenical movement”, stated the Central Committee.