Ecumenical giant will be deeply missed across the globe.

Agnes Abuom stands at a lectern with the World Council of Churches name and logo behind her.
Dr. Agnes Abuom at the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, September 2022
Credit: Albin Hillert/WCC
Published On: June 2, 2023

The United Church of Canada joins with the global ecumenical movement and member churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in mourning the loss of Dr. Agnes Abuom.

Dr. Abuom became the first woman and the first African to serve as Moderator of the WCC Central Committee when she was elected in 2013. She served until September 2022. Abuom was the president of the African region for the WCC from 1999 to 2006.

A memorial on the WCC website pays tribute to her as a leader and a friend.

Moderator Carmen Lansdowne is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Abuom, with whom she served on the Central and Executive Committees of the WCC from 2006 to 2013. The Moderator remembers with gratitude the times they spent travelling and in meetings together, some of the best informal ecumenical moments of fellowship and learning the Moderator has experienced. 

An ecumenical giant, pioneering feminist lay leader, and deeply faith-filled and humble servant of the triune God, Dr. Abuom will be deeply missed across the globe. May her memory be a blessing.

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