Ecumenical News International News Highlights - Brighton (ENI). 31 July 2001 A draft document on justice in the global economy is set to divide members of the World Methodist Council (WMC), according to one of its promoters. According to the document, economic activity must promote social justice, encourage democracy and preserve the environment and the integrity of creation. The outgoing chair of the WMC's social and international affairs committee, told ENI: "There will almost certainly be a division in the [WMC] executive committee about this document. There will have to be trade-offs, but I hope that in the end the whole council will own it. The issue is globalisation. Do we accept it, or set ourselves against it?"

Methodists hope US$20 million fund will secure financial future
Brighton (ENI). A US$20 million endowment fund designed to secure the finances of the World Methodist Council has reached more than a fifth of its target even before its official launch. Council members, meeting in Brighton ahead of the 18th World Methodist Conference from 25 to 31 July, formally endorsed the funding appeal, known as Achieving the Vision. They heard that already $1.47 million had been raised and another $3.1 million secured through pledges, trusts and deferred gifts.  

Have courage to question 'status quo', says Cardinal Cassidy

August 3, 2001 - Brighton (ENI). Christian churches need to "give the quest for unity a much higher place in our list of priorities", Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy, the recently retired president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, has declared. Cardinal Cassidy made his remarks while addressing delegates to the 18th World Methodist Conference, meeting in Brighton, England, which ended on 31 July. "There is an urgent need for us to move away from the shore and out into the deep, to have the courage to question our status quo," he said. [ ENI News Highlights ENI articles ].


World Methodists' top official hopes to promote global vision

Brighton (ENI). As a Methodist district superintendent George H. Freeman was used to travelling, but now he has given up the district and will travel the world. Freeman, from the United States, took over as general secretary of the World Methodist Council during its conference in Brighton, England, which ended on 31 July. "The horizon couldn't be broader," said Freeman, an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church (UMC), one of the biggest Protestant denominations in the United States, and the WMC's biggest member church. "I want to get to know members of the world-wide family as much as time and budget allows," he said. ENI News Highlights contain summaries of ENI articles published today. [ENI News Highlights ENI articles ].