The most critical decision to come before the World Council of Churches since its founding 16 years ago is the choice of a successor to the Rev. Willem Visser 't Hooft, 64, its omnicompetent general secretary. Last week, meeting in the improbable town of Enugu, Nigeria, the council's 100-member central committee showed its deep concern over the decision by rejecting one officially nominated successor and ordering a search for someone else.
Dismay. The man whom these churchmen were expected to nominate is the Rev. Patrick Rodger of Scot land's Episcopal Church, choice of...