WCC expresses concern for Christian presence and witness in Syria

On 5 April, World Council of Churches (WCC) leadership and staff met with representatives of WCC member churches from Syria, who came to the Bossey Ecumenical Institute for consultations on the WCC’s longstanding programmatic work relating to Syria. WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, was the convener of the meeting.

"Participants in the meeting joined in affirming the ecumenical movement’s deep concern for the Christian physical presence and witness in Syria and the whole Middle East region, and the importance of international ecumenical solidarity with the churches and Christian communities living and witnessing in Syria, playing their essential role as part of the diversity of Syrian society, and affected by the impact of sanctions on their life and work,” reads a message from the group. “WCC and the member church representatives participating in the meeting committed to closer collaboration in responding to the needs and aspirations of Syrian Christians for their future in a peaceful, diverse and inclusive Syria.”

All participants expressed the hope that a long-envisaged pastoral and humanitarian visit to Syria by the WCC general secretary, jointly with ACT Alliance, might be realized in the near future.

Read the full Communique from Syria meeting