Rev. Roswell P. Barnes; Leader of Ecumenical Movement
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DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — The Rev. Roswell P. Barnes, a leader of the ecumenical movement who headed the U.S. conference of the World Council of Churches, has died at age 89.
He died Dec. 21 at a Doylestown hospital after a long battle against heart disease, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
Barnes, a Presbyterian, was a member of a dedicated group of Christian ecumenists who reactivated the Geneva-based organization of Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant and old or national Catholic churches.
In 1958, he was appointed executive secretary or chief of the World Council’s U.S. conference. A heart ailment forced him to retire in 1964.
Barnes served as associate general secretary of the Federal Council of Churches from 1940 to 1950.
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