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As International Court of Justice hearings commence, WCC calls on “all responsible members of the international community to respect and implement the ICJ rulings”

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay marked 11 January as a “significant moment for justice and the rule of law,” as public hearings commenced in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on allegations against the State of Israel of violations of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

11 January 2024

The Christ Church Cathedral of Mount Kilimanjaro Diocese, WCC Conference on World Mission and Evangelism, March 2018, Arusha, Tanzania, Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism explores ideas on reparatory justice

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on World Mission and Evangelism, at a meeting in London from 1-5 December, hosted by United Society of Partners in the Gospel, explored the concept of mission as reparatory justice.

18 December 2023

WCC webinar explores decolonizing beauty

With a close look at the “skin-whitening pandemic,” a 4 December webinar hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) explored the intersections of mission, gender, racism, and health.

11 December 2023

Young Black Europeans: “common witness has an open ear”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission for World Mission and Evangelism and Programme for Overcoming Racism, Xenophobia, and Related Discrimination hosted a meeting of young Black European Christians.

30 November 2023

WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism planning group convenes

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) planning group met on 23-25 November, praying together and envisioning the future with a focus on the WCC Strategic Plan.

30 November 2023

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Violations of human rights escalate in Masafer Yatta, Jerusalem

Ecumenical accompaniers continue to document violations of human rights in Palestine and Israel, some of the latest being reported at a school in Masafer Yatta, and in Jerusalem affecting Armenian Christians.

30 November 2023

Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe: “Protect people, protect our humanity”

The Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe, at its General Assembly held in Rome on 6-8 November, published a message entitled “Protect people, protect our humanity.”

23 November 2023

Beginning soon: 16 Days against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Mark your calendar now for events during the campaign 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence, which will begin 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and end 10 December, Human Rights Day.

21 November 2023

Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem release statement on celebration of Advent and Christmas

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem released a statement on 10 November about the celebration of Advent and Christmas in the midst of the war.

17 November 2023

Webinar will focus on decolonizing beauty, define the harms of skin whitening

A webinar on 4 December will focus on “Decolonizing beauty: mission, gender, racism, and health in the skin-whitening pandemic.”

16 November 2023

Violence against Palestinians is rising in the West Bank

Despite the war, security concerns, and travel restrictions, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel and the WCC Jerusalem Office continue to operate. Ecumenical accompaniers have observed increasing violence against Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7.

16 November 2023

Ecumenical accompanier: “many Palestinians simply want to live a peaceful life”

Sinéad Ní Bhroin, from the EAPPI UK and Ireland team, served as an ecumenical accompanier in Bethlehem from 31 August to 7 October. The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompanies the local people and communities, offering a protective presence and witnessing daily struggles and hopes. Below, a reflection on what she witnessed while in the field.

06 November 2023

At Orthodox Church in Gaza, fear looms over joy of baptizing nine babies

On 28 October, faithful parents gathered at St Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza to baptize their babies. The traditionally joyful baptisms were undergirded by fear: parents were having their young ones baptized so that if the babies perish in the war, they will die as Christians.

31 October 2023

At peace conference, WCC focuses on overcoming racism

Dr Masiiwa Ragies Gunda, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive on Overcoming Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Xenophobia, recently attended and spoke at a Church and Peace Conference in the Netherlands. Exploring the theme “Overcoming Racism in the Church,” the conference drew nearly 100 people from 15 European and non-European countries.

26 October 2023

“The occupation can’t last forever”

Rev. Annica Anderbrant, from Sweden, served as an ecumenical accompanier near Jerusalem, from 31 August to 7 October. The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompanies the local people and communities, offering protective presence and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes. Below, Anderbrant reflects on what she witnessed while in the field.

25 October 2023

“They want to live without fear and constant harassment”

Máire Ní Mheibhric, from Galway, Ireland, served as an ecumenical accompanier in the village of Tubas, in the West Bank, from 31 August to 7 October. She also previously served as an ecumenical accompanier in 2019 in Hebron. The World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompanies the local people and communities, offering protective presence and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes. Below, Ní Mheibhric reflects on what she witnessed while in the field.

25 October 2023

Kids Feel Safe Going to School when EAs are Present

Igor Galvão, from Brazil, served as an ecumenical accompanier in Jerusalem’s Old City from 31 August to 7 October. The World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompanies the local people and communities, offering protective presence and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes. Below, Galvão reflects on what he witnessed while in the field, and on the work ahead.

23 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