Milestones

DIED. Willem A. Visser 't Hooft, 84, Dutch clergyman, theologian and ecumenicist who was the founding general secretary of the World Council of Churches from its formation in 1948 until 1966; of emphysema; in Geneva. The lifelong crusader for Christian unity saw the W.C.C. go from 135 denominations in 44 countries to 300 in 90 countries. A crusty, rather worldly theologian, Visser 't Hooft insisted that the council include churches in Communist countries, increased the role and influence of African and Asian churches in the organization and pioneered an ecumenical rapprochement with Rome, though his goal of bringing Roman Catholicism into the W.C.C. was never realized.