The key role played by young people during the transformations in the Arab world throughout the past year was a recurrent theme for the Christian-Muslim consultation on “Christian Presence and Witness in the Arab World” organized recently by the WCC.

The participants' passion and longing for political and religious freedom, human dignity and rights, and social and economic justice for all people of the Arab world marked the event, which...

Amidst increasing security issues in several African countries plagued by violence, political turmoil, religious intolerance and lack of democratic governance, churches are called to engage in peace-building, said African church leaders in a presentation on “Burning issues of insecurity in Africa” at a WCC consultation in Kigali, Rwanda.

"Divisions between churches remain a scandal that we have to overcome," the WCC general secretary said at an ecumenical preparatory event for the "Pilgrimage of the Holy Robe" this week.

A WCC consultation in Kigali discussed peace and security issues in Africa, with more than ninety church and ecumenical leaders. Together, they also reflected on Rwandan experiences of ethnic violence, genocide and church initiatives of reconciliation.

How is Christian identity defined today? What is the relationship between Christian identity, spirituality, religious plurality and Christian-self understanding? Rev. Carlos Emilio Ham addressed these and other questions at the International Union of Superiors General’s Assembly of the Constellation of Rome.

The WCC general secretary reaffirmed churches’ commitment to justice and peace in the Middle East, while stressing the importance of a common vision for living together by Christians and Muslims in the Arab world.

Representatives of a broad range of Christian churches and organizations met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 14-19 January, to complete a report and make recommendations for significant advances toward Christian unity and inter-religious cooperation.

Methodist Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen of Ibadan, Nigeria has appealed to Christian and Muslim leaders worldwide to act together in the face of extremist violence that threatens to divide Nigerians along religious lines.

The WCC general secretary expressed deep sadness over the current wave of violence in Nigeria, calling on the churches to pray for the victims, and asking the Nigerian president to support solidarity efforts for peace by both Christians and Muslims in the country.

Despite all divides and divisions, churches and congregations observed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the month of January, with a profound theme for this year, “We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ”.