First African woman elected to high World Council post

An Anglican church leader from Kenya, who has served multiple religious posts in Africa and with the Geneva-based World Council of Churches, made ecumenical history on November 8 when she was elected unanimously as the new moderator of the WCC’s Central Committee.

Agnes Abuom of Nairobi is the first woman and the first African chosen to head the 150-member Central Committee, the highest governing body of the WCC. The election came at the close of the 11-day WCC assembly, held in Busan, South Korea.

Abuom has worked largely on issues of economic justice, peace and reconciliation, according to World Council of Churches. “My open prayer is that we shall move forward together in [coming] years despite our diversities that have the potential to divide us,” said Abuom, “and that the WCC will continue to remain an instrument for providing safe space for all who can come and share their hopes, aspirations and visions [including] a prophetic voice.”