THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC) MOURNS THE DEATH AND CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF AFRICAN THEOLOGIAN AND ECUMENICAL LEADER, REVEREND DR. JOSE BELO CHIPENDA.

WCC Seventh Assembly, Canberra 1991: Dr. Chipenda speaks at a media conference given by the media consultants to the Aboriginal and Islander Commission (AIC). Photo: Peter Williams/WCC, 18 January 2024

In Canada, Chipenda died on January 10 at the age of 95.

He was born in Bailundo, Huambo, Angola, on October 9, 1929. He was married to Eva Joao Miguel De Carvalho, and they had one child, Gilberto Jesse, who has died, and Selma Terese. In 1956, the Evangelical Church in Angola ordained him. He devoted his life to serving the body of Christ, encouraging Christian unity using various ecumenical instruments.

From 1973 to 1980, she served as program secretary of the WCC's program to combat racism, one of many roles she performed. The media quoted him during the role as saying, "People who are committed to justice are fighting for justice.

In celebrating Chipenda's life, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, Secretary General of the WCC, joined the United Church of Canada, the Evangelical Church in Angola, the All-Africa Conference of Churches, and many others around the world.

Pillay stated, "Dr. Chipenda was honored and celebrated for his tireless work in the ecumenical movement. He left a lasting legacy that has given future generations the opportunity to make a positive impact and pray for their nation and the world."

Pillay stated, "We echo the words of the Secretary General of the AACC, Rev. Fidon Mwombeki, that "Dr. Chipenda was indeed an accomplished African ecumenist whose legacy is indelible in the ecumenical movement globally and Africa in particular.

Pillay extends his sincere condolences to Chipenda's friends and family, as well as all members of the church community where he works.

Chipenda served as the All-Africa Conference of Churches' (AACC) fifth Secretary-General from 1988 to 1997 under the direction of the late Archbishop Desmund Tutu. Chipenda's visionary leadership encourages AACC members to increase their contributions significantly during his tenure. The AACC established its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1992, as a result of the "One Member, One Dollar Initiative" fundraising initiative launched by AACC secretary general and president Archbishop Tutu.

From 1985 to 1987, he also served as secretary general of the Angolan Council of Churches. He was pastor of the Evangelical Congregational Church in Lobito, Angola; itinerant secretary of the National Federation of Christian Students in the United States from 1964 to 1965; and foreign student secretary at the World Federation of Christian Students of Geneva from 1966 to 1969. He also served as African secretary to the World Federation of Christian Students in Nairobi, Kenya, from 1969 to 1973 and director of the Centre for Theological and Cultural Studies in Lobito from 1980 to 1985.

On January 22, at 3 p.m. (CET), an online ceremony for the global community will be held. The church service will be held on January 27 in Sherbrooke, Canada.

News Sources:  https://www.oikoumene.org/news/wcc-celebrates-life-of-african-ecumenist-rev-dr-jose-belo-chipenda