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Pillay, in his remarks, gauged the realistic prospects for and defining characteristics of peace and peacemaking in light of ecumenical Christian commitments.
“The world is in crisis,” he said. “Currently, the world is living amidst terrible and unnecessary wars.”
Pillay urged a holistic and transformative response to these crises. “Where and what is the Christian voice in such a world riddled with conflicts, pain, and suffering?” he asked. “Here I look to the ecumenical movement and share briefly where the WCC stands in meeting these global challenges.”
He addressed the Christian voice in a world in conflict. “How can we, as Christians and as Christian churches, address this context in a meaningful, authentic, and effective way?” he asked. “What should be a Christian voice in the midst of a world in conflict?”
The cry for freedom and justice is loud from many in the world today, Pillay continued. “God uses a number of instruments to reach and transform the world, including and especially the church,” he said. “Therefore, the church needs to hear and respond to this painful cry.”
The mission of the church is to proclaim Christ’s love to the world, he said. “The church needs to stand where God stands and not get mixed up with the rich and powerful,” he said. “Justice then is at the ethical core of the biblical message.”
He explained that the WCC, as a Christian organization, works with many organizations to find solutions to conflicts in the world.
“In the quest for reconciliation and unity, however, forgiveness becomes an essential point of departure,” he said. “Following the example of Christ’s love, churches ought to help people to be brought into spaces to forgive, be forgiven, and seek reconciliation.”
The church should not perpetuate human divisions, Pillay continued. “Rather it ought to strive toward reconciliation and unity,” he said. “If this is the case, then the church needs to articulate reconciliation and unity within its own life and witness so that the world may know the love of Christ.”
The Christian voice for unity is not restricted to the church, he concluded.
“I believe that the Christian voice must be a voice of justice and peace, reconciliation and unity,” he concluded. “Conflict will always going to be with us, surely, but we must never give up proclaiming and being the Christian voice charting and declaring the way of Christ.”
WCC general secretary met with Cuban president (WCC news release, 19 December 2023)
