Historical election of women in WCC

New Vice-Moderator, Bishop Mary Ann Swenson (USA), and new Moderator, Dr Agnes Abuom

The World Council of Churches' newly installed 150-member Central Committee has elected its first African and first women to the position of moderator.
Dr. Agnes Abuom of Nairobi, from the Anglican Church of Kenya was elected moderator on November 8 after its first meeting following the Assembly, the highest governing body of the WCC which ended hours earlier. Abuom was elected unanimously to the position, as the first woman and the first African in the position in the 65-year history of the WCC, the world church grouping said in a statement Saturday. My open prayer is that we shall move forward together, in the next years, despite our diversities that have the potential to divide us," Abuom said shortly after her election. She said she wanted the WCC to "continue to remain an instrument for providing a safe space for all who can come and share their hopes, aspirations and visions, and prophetic voice." Aboum said a prophetic voice is vital for "ecumenism in the 21st century and the Church in our world today." She said says the model of consensus governance of the WCC "resonates very well with feminine decision-making processes," consultative and careful listening and seeking to understand the other person's perspective. Abuom's areas of work include economic justice, peace and reconciliation.
(Two vice-moderators were elected, United Methodist Church Bishop Mary Ann Swenson from the United States and Rev. Gennadios of Sassima of the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople). "