"We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose."ROM 8:28

The conference lasted for 5 days from Sep 12-16, 2011 where an Opening speech was made by Abuna Paulos I Patriarch.

Mr. President, Your Eminences, Your Graces,

Distinguished members of the World Council of Churches Central Committee,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With full conviction and love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is the source of love, peace and light, we avail ourselves of this opportunity, on the occasion of the congregation of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, to convey our brotherly greetings to all.

We join you today in your prayers so that God gives His continued riches, wisdom and enlightenment to the assembly of the Central Committee of the WCC deliberations for the wellbeing of his Church leaders and the faithful all over the world.

As an important organ, which links up the General Assembly and the Secretariat, the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches is endowed with a clear mandate to cause the study, analysis and documentation of ecclesiastical, social, institutional and ecumenical issues. Such is the vital function of the Committee, which expounds the guiding framework of operations of the World Council of Churches, subject to the approval of the General Assembly of the WCC, that we attach greater substance to this Holy gathering.

As founding member of the WCC, Our Church has been actively participating in all activities of the Council. We give thanks to the Almighty God that has empowered our Church leaders, past and present, to play a vital role in the activities of the Council and for the commitment of the WCC to work for human security and development, peace, equality and justice among the people of God in the world.

Our thoughts and prayers have been and will always be with the WCC and its globally significant accomplishments.

Notwithstanding the enormous challenges that our ecumenical union and the world is facing today, we treasure the progress so far achieved by the WCC, for expanding our mission and preaching the Gospel of peace and salvation.

Our Church was honored with the visit of the new Secretary General of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Dr. Olave Fykes Tveit, on his sojourn in Ethiopia from September 23-27, 2010, during the Meskel annual festivities (the finding of the True Cross of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which binds all Christians of differing ecclesiastical backgrounds). The mission has also familiarized Rev. Dr. Tveit with the activities and the historical and doctrinal and traditional nature of our Church and its committed efforts to work with other faith-based organizations in the country.

I believe that such an exchange of ideas and experiences with WCC Officials would deepen our relationships and widen our mutual scope of understanding the challenges of Churches and Christian fellowship at the grassroots level.

Your Graces,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

While livelihoods are necessities for human beings, it is to be understood that greed, wealth and property have become the pursuit of man. Nonetheless, livelihoods devoid of peace has led to the insecurity that we witness everyday in many parts of the globe. More than anything else, peace is an essential ingredient of life. So, we would and should be committed to the teaching of peace of God.

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has taught us tolerance, understanding kindness and sharing common values through Him, and in His Name.

This leads us to the most fundamental question of peaceful coexistence, which is extremely vital to every one’s life on earth. How can we achieve peace? We believe that peace and source of peace is God Himself, according to the Holy Scripture,

“The Lord God is peace” Judges 6:24

“Being the source of peace, God gives His peace for those who trust in Him" Isaiah 26:3

For us this is the foundation of religion and is the highest human value. Therefore, peace can be experienced and gained only when we have received divine forgiveness and when we have been reconciled with God, and above all, when we have harmony within ourselves, with our fellowmen and with God.

"There is no peace for the wicked,” says Isaiah" Isaiah 5-7:21

Towards this end, our global and national efforts to foster understanding, collaboration and. cooperation with different Christian denominations and other faiths shall be further enhanced and strengthened; and we confirm our commitment to support the world Council of Churches in its peace mission globally.

Finally, I pray to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, so that His divine guidance be in your midst during this meeting!

May the Almighty God Bless us all, and Bless our World and give us His everlasting peace!

Amen.