The World Council of Churches' GETI: A Theological Fabric of Faith and a Global Ecumenical Bridge
The Middle East Hosts Its Fourth Edition with the Blessings of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, at the Papal Logos Center - Wadi El Natrun, Egypt
Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
Photos: World Council of Churches (WCC)
With joy mixed with a firm faith in Jesus Christ and a youthful Ecumenical spirit full of hope, the Middle East hosts the activities of the Fourth program of the World Council of Churches (WCC)' Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) at the Papal Logos Center in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt. The event is an oasis of Prayer, study, and exchange of experiences, with the participation of Theology students from various Church Families around the world.
With the blessings of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, and on the occasion of the 1700th commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325, the GETI program will extend from October 12 to 29, 2025, under the theme "Where Now for Visible Unity?". This program coincides with the WCC Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, which will be held from October 24 to 28, 2025, at the Papal Logos Center.
According to the World Council of Churches (WCC), the GETI Theological Education Program aims to empower participants by enhancing their knowledge of various current local and global Ecumenical topics, engaging with past, present, and future issues in an Ecumenical discourse, utilizing interdisciplinary approaches for Ecumenical studies, expressing a Theologically informed and contextually grounded Ecumenical Theology, and seeking constructive solutions for the challenges in changing religious and societal landscapes.
Following a phase conducted online with the participants, the GETI 2025 program in Egypt offers a rich fabric of Theological reflection, historical insights, and contemporary Ecumenical dialogue through diverse sessions attended by specialists from many fields. It also contributes to the formation of new generations of Ecumenical leaders on a journey of faith, justice, and peace to work together to confront pressing global challenges with deep and solid Christian unity.
It is worth noting that the first GETI program was held during the 10th WCC General Assembly in 2013, in Busan, South Korea. The next GETI program was organized on the occasion of the WCC CWME World Mission Conference in 2013, in Arusha, Tanzania. In 2022, the third GETI program was held during the 11th WCC General Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Hence, the GETI program is not only a bridge connecting diverse views and perspectives, but also a catalyst for new ideas that will contribute to building a more inclusive and sustainable future.