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WCC Central Committee adopts statements on public issues

The WCC Central Committee today adopted several statements, minutes and resolutions voicing concerns over the situation in the Middle East, the right to water and sanitation around the world, the plight of indigenous Australians and the protracted violence in Colombia.

Madagascar, in search of peace

The image of Madagascar was deeply tarnished by the political crisis of 2009. For their part, the churches there have a role in helping to maintain the peace.

Unity and just peace suggested as assembly themes

Rev. Dr Walter Altmann, moderator of the World Council of Churches Central Committee, argued forcefully today that unity as well as justice and peace should be included in the theme for the next assembly of the world’s largest ecumenical body.

We are called to be one in faith and action, reports WCC general secretary

“There is no theological reflection that does not take place in God’s vulnerable world and in the midst of the joy and suffering of ordinary people,” said the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit in his report to the first meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee that he has addressed as general secretary.

IEPC course for seminarians

Graduate study in peacemaking will be available for academic credit at the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC), held 17-23 May in Kingston, Jamaica and sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC). A course for seminarians and other graduate students will be offered on “Overcoming Violence: An Engagement with the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation”.

“Stitching Peace” – stories of peace in thread and fabric

The World Council of Churches is hosting an international exhibition of textiles, arpilleras and quilts from 16 February to 18 March at its Geneva headquarters. An arpillera is an appliqué collage from Latin America that depicts facets of the artist’s land and culture.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity draws attention to Jerusalem

Shortly after the beginning of each year, Christians around the world pray for church unity. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, traditionally celebrated from 18-25 January, draws on resources sponsored jointly by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church. The materials for January 2011 have been prepared in partnership with the churches of Jerusalem.

WCC general secretary speaks with Islamic leaders and students

Christian-Muslim dialogue and cooperation were themes of a two-day visit by the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), to the offices and college campus of the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) in Tripoli, Libya. On Sunday 9 January, Tveit and two WCC colleagues met with WICS leaders to discuss bilateral dialogue, exploring ways to follow up a November 2010 conference in Geneva on “Transforming Communities”.

Pope Shenouda III receives condolences from WCC delegation

Visitors from the Geneva offices of the World Council of Churches (WCC) were honoured to be received in Cairo, Egypt on Saturday 8 January 2011 by Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC, led the group to Cairo in order to offer personal condolences in the aftermath of the lethal bomb attack at the New Year on a church in Alexandria.

WCC condemns attack on church in Alexandria

The World Council of Churches (WCC) condemns the vicious attack on innocent worshippers in the Saints Church in Alexandria, Egypt when a bomb was detonated at the conclusion of the celebration of a New Year’s midnight mass. As a result, at least 21 people have been killed and more than 80 injured.

Women offer theological perspectives on "Kairos Palestine"

Thirty women gathered in Bethlehem on 13-18 December to celebrate the first anniversary of the “Kairos Palestine” document on the quest for peace and human rights in Palestine and Israel. The gathering also reflected theologically on the content of the text. Participants came from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, North and Latin America and Australia.

WCC supports decision of Philippine president in releasing Morong detainees

In a letter dated 21 December 2010, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed thanks to Philippine president Benigno S. Aquino III for the release of 43 community health workers and other health professionals who have been imprisoned since their arrest on 6 February in Morong, Rizal province. Military authorities held the detainees on suspicion of being associated with the New People's Army movement.

WCC co-sponsors International Congress on the Human Right to Peace

Peace as a universal human right has been the focus of an international congress co-sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC). The WCC worked in collaboration with the Spanish Society for International Human Rights Law (SSIHRL), Forum 2010 and the Institute for Peace Studies (Alexandria, Egypt) to organize the International Congress on the Human Right to Peace, held on 9-10 December 2010 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

WCC to strengthen ecumenical support for peace efforts in Colombia

A World Council of Churches (WCC) consultation on ecumenical accompaniment in Colombia was held in Geneva on 2-3 December. Participants affirmed the ecumenical commitment to strengthen the peace process in Colombia. The consultation decided to explore ways to initiate an international ecumenical accompaniment programme in Colombia as a contribution to the Colombian peace process.