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WCC expresses grave concern over escalation of violence in Middle East

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, on behalf of the global fellowship, expressed grave concern regarding the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East following the first direct confrontation between Iran and Israel.

15 April 2024

Statement: public statement

World Council of Churches Statement on the Escalation of Violence in the Middle East

15 April 2024

Feature story

Inter-religious voices of concern in lead-up to International Women’s Day

In an online conference organized by the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations on 5 March, the World Council of Churches (WCC) was represented among inter-religious voices bringing their concerns and sense of solidarity in the lead-up to International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on 8 March.

07 March 2024

Lecture - Speech

Salt of the earth and light of the world - Unity of the church as a sign for unity in the world

In a speech before the Anglican Bishops’ Conference of Southern Africa, WCC moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm reflected on “Salt of the earth and light of the world: Unity of the church as a sign for unity in the world.”

28 February 2024

WCC Officers

WCC general secretary meets Israeli president, calls for ceasefire, freedom of religion and humanitarian care

Israeli president Isaac Herzog formally received World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay on 20 February, to discuss the current situation in Israel and Palestine, and the war in Gaza.

20 February 2024

Bible studies

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 1: Water for peace in the Middle East region

The first reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Dr Munib Younan,* bishop emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and former president of the Lutheran World Federation. In this reflection, the author, as a Palestinian, in line with this year's theme of "leveraging water for peace,” reflects on Isaiah's promise of free water for the thirsty in the context of the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza that has worsened the water situation in Gaza to catastrophic levels.

14 February 2024

Interview

Bridging hope: a personal odyssey through Korea's tapestry of struggle and yearning

In the heart of Korea's struggle for democracy and human rights, Lutz Drescher became more than a witness; he became a weaver of hope in the intricate fabric of the Korean Peninsula. Sharing his odyssey, inviting us into the vibrant tapestry of Korea's quest for peace, he took us down memory lane.

04 January 2024

Sermon

Being Church Today in a World in Crisis - Romans 12: 1-2 and Ephesians 2: 6-10

A sermon by WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay delivered at the Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba, Havana, 17 December 2023.

19 December 2023

Lecture - Speech

"Nelson Mandela’s Peacemaking Legacy for Our Times", by WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay commemorated the legacy of Nelson Mandela on 8 December at a piano concert for peace.

08 December 2023

Le COE, solidaire des responsables d’Église à Jérusalem, appelle à protéger d’urgence les lieux de refuge

Le Conseil œcuménique des Églises (COE) est solidaire des Patriarches et des Responsables d’Église à Jérusalem dans leur condamnation des frappes aériennes israéliennes sur le site de Saint-Porphyre de l’Église orthodoxe à Gaza, le 19 octobre.

31 October 2023

WCC stands in solidarity with Jerusalem heads of churches in urgent call to protect places of refuge

The World Council of Churches (WCC) stands in solidarity with the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem as they condemn Israeli airstrikes that exploded at the Orthodox Church compound of Saint Porphyrios in Gaza on 19 October.

23 October 2023

WCC calls for urgent humanitarian response in Gaza and UN-Led criminal investigation

The World Council of Churches (WCC), in consultation with heads of churches and representatives of Palestinian Christian organizations within the Jerusalem Liaison Office Advisory Group, is making an urgent call for an international investigation led by the United Nations into the numerous war crimes committed against civilians during the ongoing conflict.

19 October 2023

Feature story

Remembering Martial Law in the Philippines

Philippines delegation meets with WCC to discuss human rights

A delegation from the Philippines met with World Council of Churches (WCC) staff to discuss human rights and the role of churches.

19 October 2023

Le COE appelle à une nouvelle approche pour régler le conflit en Palestine et en Israël

Au lendemain des violences brutales qui ont ôté la vie à des milliers de civils innocents, le Conseil œcuménique des Églises (COE) appelle à une nouvelle approche pour régler le conflit en Terre Sainte.

16 October 2023

WCC calls for a new approach to conflict in Palestine and Israel

The World Council of Churches (WCC), in the aftermath of brutal violence where thousands of innocent civilians lost their lives, is calling for a new approach to resolve the conflict in the Holy Land.

13 October 2023

Statement: public statement

Statement: WCC calls for a new approach to the conflict in Palestine and Israel

13 October 2023

Lecture - Speech

Keynote address by Rev Dr Kenneth Mtata: Diakonia of Hope in a fragile world

"Diakonia of Hope in a fragile world", keynote address by Rev Dr Kenneth Mtata at the Regional Conference for the DRAE (Africa and Europe) region in Neuendettelsau, Germany, 06 - 10 September 2023

08 September 2023

WCC Programmes

Feature story

WCC 11th Assembly, Karlsruhe, Germany 2022

Historically important, ecumenism takes on new life in Germany

As the World Council of Churches celebrates its 75th anniversary, a series of feature stories from different regions of the world will portray ecumenism at the local level—within churches, communities, and individuals who embody the spirit of ecumenism in unique ways. The feature story below offers a glimpse of some facets of ecumenism present in Germany.

28 August 2023