Ecumenical theological education strategic, international congress says

Ecumenical theological education is of strategic importance for Christianity in the 21st century. This was the message coming from the IV Congress of the World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions (WOCATI) held in Neapolis, Thessaloniki and Volos (Greece) from 31 May to 7 June 2008.

Stop murderous violence against foreigners, WCC urges South African government

"Deeply saddened by the brutal wave of violent xenophobic attacks and murders of foreign nationals, migrant workers and refugees" occurring since early May in South Africa, the World Council of Churches (WCC) urged the country's government "demonstrate leadership by bringing to an end this murderous violence and promoting the observance of human rights".

Overcome humanity's "greed": Churches respond to the food crisis

The plea "Give us this day our daily bread" needs to be heard by world leaders meeting in Rome on the global food crisis, say church representatives across the globe.

Greed-driven global food crisis demands immediate church attention

With an estimated 850 million people suffering from hunger worldwide, nine out of ten of which live in developing countries, "the scandal of hunger demands the immediate attention of the churches", affirmed today in a statement the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia.

In Jerusalem and around the world, a week of church action for Middle East peace begins

Today in Jerusalem, at the launch of a worldwide week of action for peace in Israel and Palestine, different churches will come together for an ecumenical service giving thanks for "every church and parish around the world that is praying with us this day for peace".

Philippine government should be held accountable on human rights record, UN body is told

Philippine human rights activists reiterated their call on the UN Human Rights Council to "keep pursuing our government to stop the extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations". The UN body is meeting in Geneva 2-18 June.

Letter on Myanmar and China

Clement John, human rights advocate and ecumenical pioneer

Clement John, 66, former staff of the World Council of Churches (WCC), died on Monday, 2 June. Shocked by the news of John's death the WCC general secretary Samuel Kobia praised him as "an outstanding advocate in the international struggle for human rights" and "an ecumenical pioneer". John "was never reluctant to speak the truth" and "stood firm for justice and strove for peace", Kobia wrote in a tribute release today. An accomplished lawyer...

Churches applaud cluster munitions agreement, expect more states to join

"Churches around the world are much encouraged" by the multilateral agreement on cluster munitions reached Wednesday in Dublin, and now look with expectation to "powerful governments that have not been at the negotiating table", said World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in a comment on the agreement today.

Email a prayer for peace to Bethlehem

Bethlehem participants in a global week of church advocacy are inviting individuals and groups around the world to send them wishes and prayers for peace. Incoming emails will be shared with parishes, schools and organizations in Bethlehem and Jerusalem as part of the action week, which is led by the World Council of Churches.