John R. Graz, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, was re-elected secretary general of the Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions, or CS/CWC.  The group represents 2 billion Christians from a variety of denominations globally. Dr. Setri Nyomi of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and executive secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, was elected CS/CWC president at the Oct. 23 to 28 conference.

Since 1957, the CS/CWCs have met annually for an informal exchange of ideas and information. Graz was among several Christian leaders who met with Argentinian officials including Alberto Fernández, chief of the cabinet; Oscazr Parrilli, general secretary of the Presidency; and José Cardoso, general director of the National Registry of Religions. Presentations were made to the group by representatives of the ecumenical community: the Baptists, Pentecostals, Anglicans and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Graz’s election continues a 34-year run of Adventist Church representatives participating in the world organization. Last year he succeeded Dr. Bert B. Beach, director for Interchurch Relations for the Adventist world church, in that position.

“The meeting was important because our [local church] president was invited to introduce the work of the Adventist Church in Argentina,” Graz noted. “During that meeting we heard several lectures about the religious and social situation in Argentina and how the various Christian churches live together. We also had a government report on church and state relations,” he added.

The substance of those reports, Graz said, is that while the Roman Catholic Church is the official church of the country, other churches are not discriminated against.