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The fourth of a series of five webinars promoted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) Pan-African Women’s Ecumenical Empowerment Network (PAWEEN) was held on 18 February, providing reflections on inclusion of both African culture and tradition into theological reflection.

Under the title “Christ’s Love in the Midst of Pandemic: Moving the World to Reconciliation and Solidarity,” the World Council of Churches (WCC) journal The Ecumenical Review explores a range of theological, spiritual, and societal questions raised by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Two new World Council of Churches podcasts highlight the intersection of racism and COVID-19. Guests are Rev. Dr Karen Georgia Thompson, associate general minister for Wider Church Ministries and Operations and co-executive for Global Ministries, United Church of Christ in the USA, and Rev. Canon Emmanuel Chikoya, general secretary, Council of Churches in Zambia.

The Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau has commemorated its decision 50 years ago to fund the Programme to Combat Racism of the World Council of Churches (WCC), in the face of widespread public criticism, as a continuing obligation to oppose all forms of racism and inhumanity.

The brutal killing of Joao Alberto Silveira Freitas, 40, a black man, at the hands of two white security guards outside a supermarket in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on 19 November, the eve of National Black Consciousness Day, has sparked outrage across the country. World Council of Churches (WCC) member churches raised their voices to condemn the killing and to express deep concern regarding systemic racial injustice in Brazil.

During its online meeting, 9-13 November, the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee addressed vital international developments, approved plans for 2021 and pledged support and solidarity with churches across the world at a time of multiple concurrent crises.

A webinar, “People on the Move: Solidarity and Advocacy,” highlighted the current experiences of refugees, stateless persons, seasonal and migrant workers, and undocumented persons, with a particular focus on ways they are being affected by COVID-19 as the pandemic rages on.

A 5 November webinar, “People at the Frontlines: the Gift of Life,” hosted by the World Council of Churches, brought together both firsthand and learned perspectives from a medical doctor, who is also a clergy and a COVID-19 survivor, a public sanitation worker, and a humanitarian responder.

A 12 November webinar entitled “People on the Move: Solidarity and Advocacy” will highlight the experiences and often untold stories of refugees, stateless persons, seasonal and migrant workers, and undocumented persons, with a particular focus on ways they have been affected by COVID-19.

On 5 November, the World Council of Churches will host a webinar, open to the public, highlighting the experience and reflections of people on the “frontlines” of caring for communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A webinar held 22 October gave space for persons with disabilities to share their reflections. Entitled “From Lamentation to Transformation,” the event, first in a series of webinars on COVID-19 perspectives, highlighted hope through stories, practical support, and social change as experienced by persons with disabilities.

A 29 October webinar entitled “Indigenous Peoples: Wisdom and Resilience,” will share the hope, resilience, and encouragement of indigenous communities in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

World Council of Churches (WCC) interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca offered reflections on the newest encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti. Subtitled “On fraternity and social friendship,” the document is the Pope’s third encyclical.

An ongoing webinar series convened this week by the World Council of Churches (WCC) continues to offer theological reflections on “Hate Speech and Whiteness.”

On 22 October at 15.00 CET, persons with disabilities across the globe will share their experiences related to COVID-19 and the transformation that has come out of it during a public webinar entitled “From Lamentation to Transformation: Persons with disabilities in the context of the COVID-19.”  

Providing migrants and refugees a platform to share their concerns, challenges, and aspirations not only helps them, but also addresses xenophobia and helps build bridges with host communities, participants at a recent conference found.

What can be done to counter hate speech on the internet and in social media at time when online intolerance is widespread, and threatens democratic debate in societies?

In a video interview, Dr Torsten Moritz, general secretary of the Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe, gives a short analysis of the new EU Migration Pact, and how faith-based organizations are working to change unbearable conditions for thousands of migrants and refugees. The Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe is helping to lead a dialogue between global religious groups and the European Commission offices in Brussels.