SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES FOR THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT (Rola Swiatowej Rady Kosciolow w ruchu ekumenicznym)

World Council of Churches (WCC) established in 1948 in Amsterdam is the best representative of the Non-Catholic Christianity of today. The Joint Working Group of the WCC and the Roman Catholic Church which meets regularly since 1965 became an icon of the ecumenical movement. Cooperation between the Churches has effected in common agenda of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which is celebrated in all continents since 40 years. Furthermore, the furthest achievement of the multilateral world-level dialogue still leaves the document of agreement on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry which has been produced in collaboration with Catholic theologians. A number of valuables documents were created at the suggestion of the Joint Working Group, even if the Catholic Church does not enjoy the full membership in the WCC. With the support of the WCC a lot of regional Church unions came into being e.g. the Conference of European Churches which enables many small Churches to participate in the international ecumenical movement. In three of those unions, namely the Middle East Council of Churches, the Caribbean Conference of Churches and the Pacific Conference of Churches participate also Catholic members. The WCC stimulates also the churches to the bilateral dialogues. Despite of development and decentralization of the ecumenical movement the WCC still is its broadest representative. It is the most useful instrument working for ecumenism.