The dean of theology and religion at South Africa’s University of Pretoria and a director of an English ecumenical organisation have been named as the two candidates to replace Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit as the next general secretary of the World Council of Churches.
Dr Elizabeth Joy and Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay. PICTURE: WCC
Tveit’s term comes to an end on 1st April and, having already served two five year terms, he informed the WCC’s central committee last year that he is not seeking re-election.
A search committee was subsequently formed and has now presented two candidates for the post: Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay, Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, and a member of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, and Dr Elizabeth Joy, a director at Churches Together in England, and member of the The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in the UK.
The final decision on the appointment will be made in March next year.
Tveit, meanwhile, has been nominated as the next presiding bishop of the Church of Norway.
