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Street market in Porto Alegre, Brazil, May 2020. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC

Street market in Porto Alegre, Brazil, May 2020. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC

The World Council of Churches executive committee released a public statement on the role of churches in the context of COVID-19. Focused on love, steadfastness, hope and courage, the statement reflects on the damage COVID has wreaked over the last five months—and how churches can offer hope.

“Though in some ways the pandemic has been a great equalizer in its range and global impact, it is also exposing and exacerbating the deep divisions, injustices, economic inequalities and racism in our societies,” the statement reads. “Churches and faith communities are called to accompany the most vulnerable people and communities, as well as to be in solidarity with each other.”

The church is called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, the statement reads. “We pray that churches everywhere will be empowered and equipped to be messengers of unity, trust and truth, against the voices promoting division, suspicion and unsubstantiated rumour.”

Read the full statement

WCC Executive Committee to hold virtual meeting, pray for world burdened by COVID-19 (WCC press release 30 May 2020)

WCC Executive Committee will meet online in June, Central Committee postponed until June 2021 (WCC press release 14 May 2020)

WCC resources on coping with the Coronavirus