World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has sent the message home to 2,500 delegates at the Third Ecumenical Assembly this week that finding unity among Europe's churches is "now more urgent than ever".

Dr Kobia, speaking in Sibiu, Romania this week, said: "Now more than ever, the unity of the churches in Europe is needed to bear witness to a future that transcends the vision of a common economic and political future, to embrace a future in which abundant life in Jesus Christ gives hope to all people, everywhere."

Kobia was addressing some 2,500 delegates and leaders from Europe's main Church traditions attending the opening session of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly, which he termed the "single largest regular gathering of Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant church leaders in the world".

"We expect to hear the Churches of Europe speak with one voice, not only concerning the future of those countries admitted to an integrated Europe, but also the future of people living in all European countries and the future of the millions of immigrants from Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Middle East and the Pacific, living and working in Europe," Kobia affirmed.

He also emphasised that "churches around the world...stand ready to accompany the churches in Europe, especially in the face of secularisation".

The Third European Ecumenical Assembly concludes Friday.