WCC’s ‘ecumenical laboratory’ continues role in education, peace-building
World Council of Churches
Bossey Graduate School class of 1952/53. (Photo provided)
GENEVA – The Ecumenical Institute at Château de Bossey is observing its 70th anniversary with notable speakers, creative worship, prayer services and a book launch, over the weekend of September 30 – October 2.
Over seven decades, the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) Bossey Institute has served as an “ecumenical laboratory” for thousands of students from all over the world.
During the celebratory weekend, presentations on the theme “Peace-building and the Role of Religions” will be offered by Prof. Dr Ahmed al-Tayyeb , Grand Imam and Shaykh of al-Azhar al-Sharif and Rev. Dr Ioan Sauca, the director of Bossey, as well as by students and alumni.
Representatives from the United Nations, the Swiss government, the Swiss Council of Religions and WCC member churches will also attend and share reflections on the institute’s accomplishments and its current role.
An October 2 ecumenical worship service will weave many threads from the institute’s present and past.
Prior to that, October 1, the WCC will host a book launch for “The Story of Bossey.”
An open house on the same day will include prayers in the Bossey chapel, guided campus tours, meetings with students and faculty, an ecumenical marketplace, alumni reunions and an evening concert.
About Bossey
At Bossey, students live, learn and pray together in an intercultural and inter-confessional community of faith. They combine academic studies with experiential learning, and they graduate with well-honed skills for dialogue and peace-building.
As students complete the interfaith courses at the Ecumenical Institute, they go back into the world to promote dialogue and collaboration, build interreligious trust and understanding, and support the ecumenical movement on the pilgrimage of justice and peace.
The anniversary proceedings will celebrate and highlight the Ecumenical Institute’s role in forming ecumenical leaders to be agents of dialogue and reconciliation.
They will allow people to join together to explore how this impacts our collective search for Christian unity and harmony with all God’s people.
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More information and a full program are available on the Bossey website.
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