Inaugural Michael Huffington Lecture Features Keynote Speaker Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary Of The World Council Of Churches

On Wednesday, April 3, the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, accompanied by Mr. Hayk Madoyan, Ecumenical Officer of the Western Diocese visited the United Methodist Church where a luncheon was held in honor of Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches and featured Dr. Tveit as the keynote speaker.

On Tuesday, April 2, the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian visited Loyola Marymount University where he represented the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian for the inaugural Michael Huffington Lecture, featuring keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches.  

Dr. Tveit spoke on the theme of the upcoming WCC General Assembly, “Christ’s Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity.” The topic explored the ecumenical movement as a movement of love, expressed in the search for justice, peace, and unity.

Dr. Tveit’s lecture was followed by a panel discussion with Father Alexei Smith, director of ecumenical and interreligious affairs of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Bishop Mary Ann Swenson of the United Methodist Church.

The WCC, established in 1948 in Amsterdam, follows the model of the United Nations, developing new paths for ecumenism, promoting theological education, and taking care of justice and peace throughout the globe. It leads the largest ecumenical network in the world, bringing together nearly 350 churches, denominations, and church fellowships in more than 110 countries and territories, and representing over 500 million Christians.