Tribute to Chiara Lubich

Recalling the charisma of Chiara Lubich as a "flame of love that began to shine in the midst of the ashes and destruction of war" in a tribute to the founder of the Focolare movement, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia shared the "deep sorrow" of her many friends on the WCC upon the news of her death. Chiara Lubich, who dedicated herself to the promotion of peace, church unity and...

Death of Chaldean archbishop in Iraq "distressful for all who believe in peace"

The World Council of Churches is deeply saddened by the news of the death of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul. The Council joins with all Christians in Iraq and around the world in grief. The death of Archbishop Paulos under the current circumstances of war and violence in Iraq is distressful for all who believe in peace and reconciliation. While the cause of his death remains unknown, his recent kidnapping reflects the continuing...

Tribute to Lukas Vischer

"The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the ecumenical movement have lost an outstanding ecumenist, a man of vision and great passion for the future of life on earth and a church visibly united in faithfulness to Christ's calling," affirmed WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in a tribute to Prof. Dr Lukas Vischer, who died on 11 March 2008, at the age of 81.

WCC says a proposed new treaty to ban cluster munitions must be strong

The WCC Central Committee this week condemned a whole category of peculiarly indiscriminate weapons known as cluster munitions. A cluster munition scatters many small bombs in order to kill and injure people over a wide area. The church debate in Geneva coincided with a world conference on banning the weapons that stirred deep debate between governments and NGOs meeting in New Zealand.

A Dame of ecumenism

Dr Mary Tanner, WCC president from Europe, was late for these central committee meetings. She had a good reason, though: an audience with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.

Ambassadors of hope

The four newest titles in the WCC's "Risk Series" were introduced at a session with the authors Monday afternoon.

Ceremony at Bossey

After 25 years standing vigil at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, a totem pole was returned to the soils of the earth during a ceremony on Sunday.

Ecumenical Accompaniers join Gaza convoy and protest

WCC general secretary confident about Christian unity progress

At today's ecumenical Vespers service presided by Pope Benedict XVI, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia underlined the importance of "a church that is one and united in its witness" to a world marked by violence and disunity. The service in Rome marked the conclusion of the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Christian youth movements call for signs of unity

A number of major international Christian youth movements and organizations called for stronger efforts towards unity in a joint statement issued on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Addressed to the heads of the Roman Catholic Church, the World Council of Churches, Christian World Communions and Regional Ecumenical Organizations, the statement asks them to "share ecumenical dialogue with young...