Olav Fykse Tveit elected WCC General Secretary

Norwegian theologian and pastor Olav Fykse Tveit, 48, was elected 7th general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 27 August during its Central Committee meeting. Tveit will be the youngest general secretary since Willem A. Visser 't Hooft, the first to hold the role.

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	Norwegian Olav Tveit has been chosen as the new general secretary of the World Council of Churches. (Photo: WCC/Peter Williams)

"This task I really feel is the call of God. I feel that we have a lot to do together", said Tveit in his acceptance speech before the central committee. He stressed the spirit of unity that dominated the whole process and expressed hope that it will continue to reign in the common journey. Tveit encouraged the committee members to continue praying for him: "Please do not stop!"

Since 2002, Olav Fykse Tveit has been the general secretary of the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations. Tveit is a member of the WCC Faith and Order Plenary Commission and the board of directors and executive committee of the Christian Council of Norway.

Tveit was one of two candidates standing for election to the WCC's highest administrative post. The other candidate was Rev. Dr Park Seong-won, 61, a Presbyterian theologian from South Korea.

Tveit will replace outgoing general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and will take office in January 2010.

World Council of Churches