WCC Head: Cross is Key to Unity

The Rev. Olav Tveit delivered a message on "The Ecumenical Movement of the Cross" during his installation ceremony as the World Council of Churches' (WCC) new general secretary. (Photo: WCC/Peter Williams)

In his installment speech as the new World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary, Norweigian theologian the Rev. Olav Tveit emphasized the importance of the cross to the ecumenical movement, calling it the "symbol that all Christians have together."

Preaching from Paul's confession in 1 Corinthians that he "decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified," Tveit declared that the cross "is and will forever be the sign of the church."

"This is the symbol that we have together, the symbol of what we have together, the symbol of what the churches have to give to the world. From the beginning to the end," he said.

Tveit noted that while Paul's words don't "sound very ecumenical, open to the many perspectives on and of our faith to be considered in the open space," nevertheless, they hold "deep meaning," and offer "substance and direction to the ecumenical movement."

The general secretary described that "direction" by referencing the divisions in the Corinthian Church that Paul was speaking against, which Tveit says came about due to "different opinions and different personal loyalties…the lack of willingness to share…ignorance of the gifts of others and their contribution…[and] impatient critique of the Christian message and its ambassadors."

"So the answer is clear: To be one, the Church must go back to its common basis. Nothing except Jesus Christ, and him crucified," Tveit said, quoting the WCC's mission as a "fellowship of churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour according to the scriptures and therefore seek to fulfill together their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

Tveit went on to describe the cross as the "reality check of all our talk about God – and about life," adding that with the perspective of the cross, "our talk about God can not just be lofty words."

"In the perspective of the cross we hear the songs and prayers of the people of Haiti," he said. "In the perspective of the cross we can believe that God can be with human beings in all things. Even in death. And therefore the tree of the cross can be a sign of life."

Tveit recently returned from a trip to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland where he advocated for the cancellation of Haiti's debt as a necessary step for the country's rehabilitation to "a sustainable society."

At a press conference following the installation ceremony, Tveit noted several more "challenges" facing the Haitian people, including the sexual assault of women in the quake's aftermath as well as agencies and actors that have visited the country to "raise their flag" along with their humanitarian efforts.

"I think it's our role as WCC to give a reminder that it's a Christian call to help anybody in need and not ask for praise and a chance to wave our flag just because we're doing good," he said.

Tveit concluded his installation message by noting the global inclusiveness of the cross, saying "when Christ stretches out his arms at the cross, he is stretching out to the whole world, embracing everybody.
"Reminded of what the cross is, we see that the exclusiveness of the cross is precisely that it is inclusive," he said.

Tveit was elected as the WCC's general secretary at a meeting last August in Geneva between the group's central governing body.

He succeeded the Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia from Kenya, who served at the position for 6 years.

Copyright © 2013 Ecumenical News