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The objective of the WCC “is not to build a global ‘super-church’,
nor to standardise styles of worship,”36 as is believed by the ‘enemies’ of
Ecumenism, but more accurately it aims to deepen the fellowship and
the relationship of the Christian churches in order to identify the true
manifestation of what we all claim in the Creed, i.e. ‘one, Holy, Catholic
and Apostolic Church’. The churches that took part in this new organi-
sation “were animated by a sincere desire to serve the cause of Christian
unity and to resolve their fellowship with Christians of other confes-
sions”37.

Currently the Anglican Communion is in an O?cial Dialogue
status with the Orthodox Church, where three Agreed Statements have
been produced (Moscow, Dublin and Cyprus). The Moscow Agreed
Statement was the ?rst of its kind, opening a new chapter in the o?cial
relations and dialogue between the two ecclesiastical groups. It was an
important example, of how hierarchs and ecclesiastical representatives
were able to come together, despite deriving from varied backgrounds,
and talk together frankly, in an atmosphere of trust and mutual under-
standing. Many topics were discussed, including the knowledge of God,
the inspiration and authority of Holy Scripture, Scripture and Tradition,
the authority of the councils, the ?lioque clause, the Church as the
Eucharistic community and the invocation of the Holy Spirit in the
Eucharist. Moreover, during the Moscow meeting the topic of women
priests was also discussed, concluding in the passing of a resolution by
the Orthodox members, explaining:

“The Orthodox members of the Commission wish to state
that if the Anglican Churches proceed to the ordination of
women to the priesthood and the episcopate, this will cre-
ate a very serious obstacle to the development of our rela-
tions in the future. Although the Anglican members are di-

36 World Council of Churches, http://www.oikoumene.org/en/whoarewe/background.html, accessed
26/02/2013, 16:11.
37 Zernov, Nicolas, “Enterprise and Encounters – The First Assembly of the World Council of
Churches”, Sobornost, Series 3, No.4, Winter 1948, p. 145.

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