WCC meets with leaders from Global Kairos for Justice Coalition

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay received Rev. Dr Munther Isaac, moderator of the Global Kairos for Justice Coalition, and Mr Rifat Odeh Kassis, in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on 12 April, to discuss the continued and escalating crisis in Palestine in the light of the ongoing occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel and the ever-increasing security measures restricting the freedom of Palestinian people.

WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay remarked that this is quite evident in the recent restrictions imposed on Orthodox Christians as they gather to celebrate Holy Saturday. “We are really sad to hear that the situation in Palestine and Israel is getting worse and many young Christians are leaving the land because of such ongoing struggles,” said Pillay, who noted that the WCC 11th Assembly made some very focused decisions about the WCC engagement on the situation in Palestine and Israel.

“In the near future we will be arranging wide discussions with our member churches and a variety of other people and organisations to find meaningful ways in which we can address this crisis which has been with us for over five decades,” said Pillay. “In the meantime we will continue to pray and support the affected people as much as possible.”

The meeting also included Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC program director for Public Witness and Diakonia and Peter Prove, Director of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs.

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