CCWA History
Despite many denominational divisions over the centuries, there has always been a core group of Christian people who were dreaming of, praying for and working towards a greater sense of unity and co-operation among Churches.
The Council of Churches’ history began in the late 1950s, when its name was the “WA Committee for the Australian Committee of the World Council of Churches”! Over the years the most common name was the “Western Australian Council of Churches”.
When the Roman Catholic Church joined the name was changed to the “Conference of Churches of WA”. In 2003 the name of the organisation was changed to “The Council of Churches of Western Australia (Inc)”.
The Council became an incorporated association in 1977. The first General Secretary was appointed in 1963. The Council has been involved with ecumenical advocacy and social justice works, for around half a century.
We offer an open invitation to other churches to consider our invitation to join with us in this ecumenical work.
A brief history of the Council of Churches Office Bearers:
Ecumenical Officer*
2017- Ms Simone Micke, Lutheran Church of Australia
2013-2017 Rev Frances Hadfield, Uniting Church
2011-2012 Rev Isobelle Shortreed, Uniting Church
Executive Officer*
2010- Mr Alan Jennings, Roman Catholic
(*Two new positions created replacing the General Secretary Position)
General Secretaries:
2009-2010 Rev Chris Bedding Locum General Secretary, Anglican
1998-2009 Rev Eira Clapton, Anglican
1992-1998 Rev Wes Hartley, UCA
1987-1991 Dr John Neal, Anglican (Full time from 1/1/88- 1/12/91)
1984-1987 Part time General Secretaries, one of whom was George Idle, UCA for a period of 6 months in l986.
1977-1983 Rev Roy Poole, Anglican
1972-1977 Rev Keith Dowding, Presbyterian/UCA
1969-1972 Mr Ian Allsop, Church of Christ
1963-1969 Rev Laurie G Staton, UCA
Presidents:
May 2018 – Sr Margaret Scharf OP, Roman Catholic
March 2015 – May 2018 Deacon Theodore Issa, Syrian Orthodox
March 2011- December 2014 Rt Rev Bishop Brian Kyme, Anglican
October 2010-March 2011 Paul Martin, Society of Friends (Interim)
March 2010-October 2010 Rev Dr Charles Waddell, Roman Catholic
March 2009-March 2010 Paul Martin, Society of Friends
March 2007-March 2009 Rev Marie Wilson, UCA
March 2005-March 2007 Ven David Ingleson, Anglican
March 2003-March 2005 Ms Ivonna Dansbergs, Lutheran
May 2001-March 2003 Mr Graham Nielsen, UCA
May 1999-April 2001 Ms Anne Fox, Roman Catholic
May 1998-April 1999 Rev Greg Harvey, Anglican
March 1996-April 1998 Deacon Theodore Issa, Syrian Orthodox
January 1994-February 1996 Ms Wendie Wilkie, UCA
December 1992-December 1993 Sr Sonia Wagner, Roman Catholic
December 1991-November 1993 Sr Libby Rogerson, Roman Catholic
May 1990-November 1991 Lt Col K B Morgan, Salvation Army
June 1986-February 1990 Rt Rev Brian Kyme, Anglican
April 1984-April/May 1986 Mrs Leonie Liveris, Greek Orthodox
December 1982-March 1984 Rev G Blyth, UCA
December 1981-November 1982 Archdeacon Dutton, Anglican
December 1980-November 1981 Rev V Cornish, Anglican
June 1979-November 1980 Major F Linsell, Salvation Army
April 1978-June 1979 Laurie Wilkinson, Society of Friends
March 1976-February 1978 Rev Jack Wilson, Methodist/UCA
