The World Council of Churches’ General Secretary, Reverend Professor Doctor Jerry Pillay, visited the Centro Pro Unione in Rome on Wednesday, March 22.
It marked Dr. Pillay’s first visit to the Centro Pro Unione since his installation as General Secretary. He was joined in his visit by Dr. Vasile-Octavian Mihoc, the Program Executive for Ecumenical Relations and Faith Order.
“The Centro’s staff is honored that (Doctor Pillay) would request to meet us and learn more of how the Centro could be engaged in some of the future projects being planned by the Faith and Order commission,” said Father Jim Puglisi, SA, Director of the Centro Pro Unione in Rome – a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and the central hub of ecumenical research and action.
Dr. Pillay marveled at the Centro’s library, which houses pivotal documentation regarding international and regional theological dialogues. He was particularly impressed that the materials are presented in several languages.
Dr. Pillay and Dr. Mihoc also offered high praise for the Centro’s formation projects, including its MAD for Ecumenism project.
“The delegation also expressed appreciation for the formation projects of the Centro Pro Unione – specifically Mutual Accountability Desk for Ecumenism and annual Summer Course – and for the attention paid to the heuristic aspect of these projects oriented towards a constant meta-reflection on the dynamics of reception and ecumenical formation that the Centro has always activated,” Father Jim said.
Centro Pro Unione leadership and staff spoke to Doctor Pillay and Doctor Mihoc about future programs and development, and were assured that collaborative relations would be maintained in the immediate future.
The World Council of Churches published two articles about the visit to the Centro:
WCC delegation in Rome visits organizations with spark for Christian unity
WCC, Roman Catholic Church underscore commitment to walking, praying, working together