WCC News: WCC president from Europe asks: how can Nicaea help us grow into deeper union with Christ?

Speaking during an International Partner Consultation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg/Germany on 26 September, World Council of Churches president from Europe, Rev. Dr Susan Durber, began by imagining life 1,700 years ago.  Rev. Dr Susan Durber, WCC president for the Europe region speaking at the panel discussion “Ecumenism of heart” during the 38th German Protestant Kirchentag which took place in Nuremberg, Germany from 7 to 11 June 2023. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 26 September 2025 “Today, we are more likely to pray together, to befriend each other, and to work together to promote a joint witness to governments and people,” she acknowledged. “Undoubtedly, some bishops were not above making use of friendship with the emperor to get the result they wanted.” But, even in such a climate, Durber said, there were those who committed time, energy, and their reputations to the search for a real and deep unity that would last. “There was much at stake,” she said. “The enmity between different groups needed healing.” The bishops at Nicaea had a particular kind of imperative for unity, Durber noted.  “The opening statement of the creed of Nicaea is about the oneness of God,” she pointed out. “This marks an absolute break from the Roman religious world.” Durber shared that looking at Nicaea has revived within her a sense of the scandal and the risks of disunity. “It has stirred up in me a sense again of sorrow that in so many centres of population in our world today there is more than one Christian community, and that our witness is divided,” she said. “And not just because I like people to be friendly but because unity – union, communion, solidarity, is the heart of the faith.” Full address by Rev. Dr Susan Durber, "What does Nicaea offer as we seek a vision for Christian UNITY today?" WCC reflects on “moving from creed to deed” (WCC news release, 24 September 2025) “Why was Nicaea so important—and why are we celebrating it?” WCC invites deeper exploration (WCC video feature, 23 September 2025) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland