Coptic Church & Ecumenical Movement - Saint Mina Coptic ...

ordination of women to the priestly and episcopal offices must also be understood
within a theological and ecclesiological context.
7. Finally, our concern is also directed to the changing process of decision-making in
the WCC. While the system of quotas has benefits, it may also be creating
problems. As Orthodox we see changes that seem to increasingly weaken the
possibility of an Orthodox witness, in an otherwise Protestant international
organisation. We believe that this tendency is to the harm of the ecumenical effort.
8. For the Orthodox gathered at this Assembly, these and other tendencies and
developments question the very nature and identity of the Council, as described in
the Toronto Statement. In this sense the present Assembly in Canberra appears to
be a crucial point in the history of the ecumenical movement.
We must, therefore ask ourselves “has the time come for the Orthodox churches and
other member churches to review their relations with the World Council of
Churches?”
We pray the Holy Spirit to help all Christians to renew their commitment to visible
unity.
213