November 25, 2010

The general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) has sent a letter of congratulations to Cardinal Koch on the occasion of his elevation to the office of Cardinal.

In his letter, Setri Nyomi, writes that it is of significance that the news of Koch's elevation comes in the period prior to Christmas, known as Advent, recognized by Christians as a time of expectation and promise leading to the birth of Jesus.

"The coming of Christ to this world confirms forever God's work of bringing justice and peace and the call for us all to be part of that mission. This call that we Christians share brings us together in our desire for unity. We hope and pray that your time of leadership will further the cause of Christian unity," Nyomi writes.

In July, Koch was named President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity following the retirement of his predecessor, Cardinal Kasper. Koch brings to the role his experience of ecumenical dialogue as bishop of Basel in Switzerland.

Douwe Visser, responsible for WCRC's Office of Theology and Communion, is working with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity on plans for a series of dialogue encounters between representatives of the Reformed church movement and the Roman Catholic Church that is scheduled to begin in April 2011. The objective, says Visser, is to build on past dialogues and seek ways the Christian community canwork together to bring about a just world.

"We hope that the coming dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Communion of Reformed Churches will help us to be obedient to God's call to bring peace and justice to the world where we as Christians have first of all united," says Visser.

The full text of Nyomi's letter follows.

Congratulatory message from Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi,
General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches
to Cardinal Koch.

Your Eminence,

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) wants to congratulate you on your elevation to the office of Cardinal.

It is of great meaning that the Consistory is meeting in these days before Advent. The coming of Christ to this world confirms forever God's work of bringing justice and peace and the call for us all to be part of that mission. This call that we Christians share brings us together in our desire for unity. We hope and pray that your leadership will further the cause of Christian unity.

Over the years, the Reformed community has been in dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church. We were made aware of this history in the symposium Harvesting the Fruits honouring the work of your predecessor, Cardinal Kasper. We trust that under your leadership we can, and will, continue this dialogue. As you know, we have our first meeting planned for April next year.

We look forward to meeting you in the coming time and send you our best wishes.

World Communion of Reformed Churches