The "savage murders" of three Christians in Malatya, Turkey, on 18 April are "the latest tragedy" in a series of "killings and other threats directed at members and leaders of religious minorities" in the country that are of "serious concern" and cause "deep revulsion" and "dismay", the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has told Turkish authorities.

In a statement for the fourth anniversary on 19 March of the invasion of Iraq, the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia warns of "further carnage and destruction" because "the sponsors of this tragic war insist on carrying on military pursuits".

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is launching an international, inter-church advocacy initiative for peace in Israel and Palestine - the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum - at a conference June 17-21, 2007, in Jordan.

A recent sign of the presence and witness of Syrian Orthodox faithful in Turkey was a formal visit on 28 February by a delegation from the city of Urfa (historically, Edessa), led by the wali (governor) of the Turkish city, to the monastery of St Mary at Tel-Wardiat, Hassake, Syria.

In a message to all the Palestinian people, Jerusalem church leaders alarmed at worsening relations between two main political parties are calling for an end to violence and an urgent return to the "real priorities" of Palestinians. The plan is to work with Jerusalem's top Islamic leaders on a similar Christian-Muslim message as well.

At the execution of Saddam Hussein, the World Council of Churches' General Secretary issued a statement asking God to grant the nation of Iraq "the mercy, justice and compassion that it has long been denied" and "an end to fear and death that marked Saddam Hussein's rule and that continue now".

St Luke recounts the story of the heavenly host of angels who announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem; it was to this group of people sleeping rough with the animals that the angels of light, joy and beauty first announced the frightening but great and good news: "A saviour is born..., rejoice, rejoice!".

World Council of Churches (WCC) acting director for international affairs Mr Clement John has today called international attention to three "telling events" in the Middle East, all of which, he says, "involve denial and great danger".

With the urgent necessity of peace in Israel and Palestine at the top of the agenda, a World Council of Churches meeting has begun work on setting up an international forum to galvanize world-wide church advocacy for the Middle East.

A new group of 25 ecumenical accompaniers have just begun three months of working with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). The group includes the first Hindu and the second Muslim to participate in the programme, the former from South Africa and the latter from the UK.