The Churches in International Affairs: Reports 1995-1998

This seventh volume of The Churches in International Affairs reproduces basic documents related to the work of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, the development of ecumenical policy and the actions taken by the World Council of Churches in the field of international affairs between 1995 and 1998. The scope of the WCC's authority in this field is clarified as follows: "Through its public statements the WCC provides assessments of national and international events and political trends, recommends actions to member churches, communicates pastoral concern, expresses ecumenical solidarity, and makes representations and issues appeals to particular governments and intergovernmental bodies." The Council's constitution and rules explicitly state that the "authority [of its statements] will consist only in the weight which they carry by their own truth and wisdom". A detailed list of contents classifies statements by theme, such as human rights, peace and disarmament, and by region.