Feature story
The group discussed the objectives of its work and planned its actions within the framework of its mandate, which is in alignment with the call of the WCC 11th Assembly to act together in a Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity from 2023 to 2030.
This journey calls the reference group for efforts towards justice, unity, and mutual understanding by deepening solidarity and communion with members of other faiths and by engaging to strengthen the WCC’s convening role for bilateral and multilateral dialogue at international levels, and by inspiring member churches to take forward dialogue with members of other faiths at the local level.
The reference group has 18 members, from all around the world, with knowledge and experience in different religions. Its members are representatives of governing and consultative bodies of the WCC, ecumenical partners, and experts in the field, selected from WCC member churches, specialised ministries, and ecumenical and interfaith partners.
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Photo: WCC
Dr Jakob Wirén, professor of Theology of Religions and archbishop’s advisor, Church of Sweden, said the meeting was rich and promising.
“Our group comprises scholars, experts, and Christian leaders from diverse contexts and continents, along with representatives from other faith traditions,” he said. “It is a wonderful and creative environment to be part of!”
With its work is still in early stages, the group explored several key areas: global ethics, the role of religious traditions in civil society, the rise of religious extremism, and how the WCC can promote and support Christians to engage in local interfaith initiatives.
“At its core, interreligious dialogue and interfaith relations are about how we can live together across religious traditions,” said Wirén. “In this sense, such efforts are not optional but essential.”
The WCC Reference Group for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation connects with and touches upon most other areas of the WCC’s engagement. “Indeed, in a world marked by diversity and complexity, we cannot pursue peace, respond to the climate crisis, or advance gender justice and human rights without ecumenical and interreligious collaboration,” said Wirén. “As Christians, this commitment is grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his love for the world.”
The reference group is called to continue collaboration with Christian faith-based organisations with the aim of strengthening interreligious literacy not only theologically but also in humanitarian and development work and to engage in advocacy on behalf of Christians and people of other faiths suffering discrimination or persecution as religious minorities.
Prof. Alina Patru, professor of Religious Studies, Lucian-Blaga-University of Sibiu, Romania, felt that the reference group addressed important issues.
“We have recognised the importance of seeing the signs of time and of developing projects in accordance to the new challenges,” she said. “Fundamentalism with its manicheic worldview is one of the most serious threats for religions today.”
Instrumentalisation of religion for nationalist or globalist agendas is equally harmful, she added. “We are called to promote openness towards the other, to help overcome the violent tendencies by deconstructing their narratives and by listening to the voices of those who try to express their fears and concerns.”
Patru added: “Grassroots initiatives and interreligious cooperation on practical levels can foster mutual respect and help overcome isolationist tendencies.”
The reference group is also called to contribute to theological reflection on Christian self-understanding in the context of global religious diversity, and to assist common learning and formation in order to build capacity for interreligious engagement, especially for young people but also for ministers, theologians, and people of other faiths and of good will.
Prof. Michalis Marioras, professor in History of Religions at the Faculty of Theology National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, reflected that, in general, interreligious dialogue nowadays is much better perceived as a dialogue of social action and practical aims, which consists of two forms of engagement.
“First, the theological form of interreligious engagement to learn more about the faith of the other—and to discover new insights about one’s own faith,” Marioras said. “Second, the practical form of interreligious engagement to benefit the involved religious communities and the wider common good.”
Marioras further added that dialogue is the starting point of common efforts to coexist in peace and mutual understanding. “Among other actions, educational programs, counter of Islamophobia, and combat of religious radicalism—especially Islamic—and of course elaboration of emigrational problems relevant to religious aspects are immediate priorities according to my attention,” said Marioras. “The above-mentioned two forms of interreligious engagement can positively contribute to the ambitious aim of interreligious solidarity and effectiveness, which are an important requisite of our time.”
Marioras added: “The latter aim is extremely important especially for younger people, who through practical interreligious engagement will be more efficient and cohesive in solidarity both religiously and socially.”
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Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC
Prof. Dr Angeliki Ziaka, WCC programme executive for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, said: “The members of the Reference Group are a particularly inspiring group of individuals, distinguished by their extensive experience at the local and international levels. It is my hope that the work of the Reference Group will facilitate interreligious collaboration at the grassroots level and within the context of leadership structures. This represents a significant challenge: to identify how religious and political foundations can recognise, support and facilitate interfaith cooperation both locally and globally, and to ascertain how local grassroots interfaith initiatives can encourage churches, religious and political institutions to listen, understand and commit to facilitate interfaith solidarity in the public sphere for the benefit of all..”
Learn more about the WCC interreligious work
Current Dialogue - World Council of Churches’ journal on interreligious dialogue
"Applications open for Interreligious Studies at Bossey" (WCC news release, 5 December 2025)
