Members of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches are meeting in Paralimni in Cyprus, hosted by WCC president His Eminence Dr Vasilios, Metropolitan of Constantia-Ammochostos.

Proceedings began on Thursday (21 November), with local church leaders joining Committee members to talk about their worship and work.

Invited by Metropolitan Vasilios to address the Committee, Bishop Sean, who is travelling, was represented by Dr Helen Perry, who began by sharing Bishop Sean’s greetings, including to his former colleague and fellow South African, WCC general secretary the Reverend Dr Jerry Pillay.

The Diocese was described as “gloriously international, bringing people together for worship in spiritual homes from home”. And a theme of hospitality—of sharing resources with fellow Christians and working together to support the most disadvantaged, particularly refugees and asylum-seekers—chimed with other church leaders present. It chimed, too, with Anglican experience of the Orthodox church in Cyprus, where the Diocese “is privileged to have gracious permission for the use of two Greek Orthodox churches”.

Referring to Bishop Sean’s commitment to inter-faith dialogue, the Committee heard: “In a region such as this, interfaith dialogue is not only essential, but a privilege—it is a gift to be respected as Christians in predominantly Muslim lands, with the opportunity to reflect on, to work for, and to celebrate the peaceful coexistence of God’s people.”

The Committee also heard about the work and history of the established minority Christian churches in Cyprus, from Maronite Archeparch Selim Jean Sfeir, Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin (Catholic) Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Cyprus Bruno Varriano and from the Armenian Church, as well as from the Reverend Håkan Holmlund of the local Scandinavian church.

The Reverend George Vidiakin of Christ Church Ayia Napa also had an opportunity to present the work of the local Diocesan parish, noting that as a popular destination for holidaymakers, he often described the church’s mission there as being “to bring the Kingdom of God to a party town”, as well as serving an international congregation and working with people in need, including those—often expats—suffering from loneliness and a sense of isolation.

The meeting of the WCC Executive Committee ends on 26 November.