Ecumenical illiteracy in the "Reader's digest".

The Reader's Digest says that the WCC faces "a growing backlash". It is no doubt true that in certain circles in the United States and elsewhere, there is opposition to the WCC. But such circles have always opposed the council, seeing it as a threat to their power and privilege. There is nothing very new about their criticism. The World Council of Churches has been, and will continue to be, a controversial body, because it deals with controversial issues in which theology and ethics impinge on political, economic and social policies. Its Vancouver meeting will presumably be as determined as previous Assemblies have been to be faithful to the ecumenical pioneers who emphasized the importance of the work of Christian unity not in a political or social vacuum, but in relation to the continuing worldwide struggle for a greater measure of justice, freedom, peace and human dignity. [excerpt].