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World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit is condemning an attack on renowned social activist Swami Agnivesh in Jharkhand state in northeast India. A violent mob of alleged fringe fundamentalist groups in the Pakur district attacked Agnivesh on the same day as a Supreme Court judgment called mob lynching unacceptable and holding the local administration, the state and central governments responsible for preventing it.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) joined the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church (UMC) as well as United Methodist bishops in the Philippines in appealing to the government of the Philippines for assistance and cooperation in extracting three United Methodist mission personnel from the country.

Mit Blick auf die „sich verschlechternde Menschenrechtssituation und [die zunehmende] Gewalt und Straffreiheit auf den Philippinen“ hat der ÖRK-Zentralausschuss seine große Besorgnis und Entrüstung angesichts der Lage in dem Land zum Ausdruck gebracht und dabei insbesondere auf die Rolle der Regierung verwiesen.

Noting “the worsening human rights situation and increasing violence and impunity” in the Philippines, WCC’s central committee has expressed its alarm and outrage, pointing particularly to the role of the government there.

Der Pressedienst des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen (ÖRK) traf sich am Rande der Konferenz für Weltmission und Evangelisation, die der ÖRK vom 8. bis 13. März in Tansania abhielt, mit Dr. Samuel George vom Ökumenischen Aktionsbündnis von und für Menschen mit Behinderungen (EDAN). George ist Theologieprofessor am Allahabad-Bibelseminar in Indien und war vom ÖRK eingeladen worden, im Rahmen der Konferenz zum Thema Behinderung zu sprechen.

WCC News meet with Dr Samuel George of the WCC Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN) at the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME), held in Tanzania from 8-13 March, World Council of Churches (WCC). George, a Christian theology professor at Allahabad Bible Seminary in India, was invited by the WCC to make presentations on disability in various parts of the conference.

At 20, Ruth Mathen has already come a long way on the path that God has chosen for her. She heeded his call at a YMCA camp six years ago and is now running a non-government organization together with three college friends.

2018 feiern wir das 70-jährige Jubiläum des ÖRK. Um möglichst lebendige Berichte und Erzählungen über die ökumenische Gemeinschaft und unseren gemeinsamen Weg aus erster Hand zu bekommen, hat ÖRK-Generalsekretär Pastor Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit alle Mitgliedskirchen aufgefordert, ihre eigenen Geschichten aufzuschreiben, die wir Ihnen im Laufe des kommenden Jahres präsentieren wollen. Die erste Geschichte dieser Reihe wurde von Gerard Willemsen geschrieben, dem internationalen Direktor der Unionskirche in Schweden.

In 2018 we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the WCC. In order to create a lively first-hand account of the ecumenical fellowship and of our shared journey, the WCC general secretary has invited all member churches to contribute stories, which we will bring to you throughout the coming year. The first story in our series was written by Gerard Willemsen, international director of the Uniting Church in Sweden.

Der Ökumenische Rat der Kirchen (ÖRK) hat auf der Tagung seines Exekutivausschusses vom 17.-23. November eine Erklärung über die Inhaftierung von Bischof Carlos Morales und die Situation in Mindanao, Philippinen veröffentlicht.

While meeting in Amman, Jordan, from 17-23 November, the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee issued a statement on the detention of Bishop Carlos Morales and the situation in Mindanao, Philippines.

Offering greetings on the occasion of Diwali, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit emphasized the bonds of common humanity and focused on the well-being of all.

For Prof. Dr. Mathew Chandrankunnel, the Asia Mission Conference is a big celebration of ecumenism, with churches from Asia and all over the world coming together expressing the call of Jesus. As director of the Ecumenical Christian Centre in Bangalore, India, he appreciates the initiative to bring member churches, faith organizations and partners together to revive mission.

As the Churches’ Week of Action on Food is to commence on 15 October, the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance now makes available material for seven prayer services, each intended to bring opportunities for prayer, reflection and action on food-justice around the world.

On 30 September, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit offered an inaugural address during the 16th Synod Meeting of the Church of North India which focussed on the theme 'The Harvest is Plentiful but the Labourers are Few'.

The Church of South India (CSI), the largest united church in India, marked its 70th anniversary with celebrations which lasted more than three days in Chennai.

Rt Rev. Dr Samuel Amirtham, an internationally renowned theologian, bishop and ecumenical leader, passed away on 26 September at the age of 85. Amirtham was a multifaceted and charismatic teacher, pastor, leader, and revolutionary, inspiring and accompanying many lives, from remote villages to universities, to the corridors of power.

The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), on 11-12 July, held an international consultation on “Towards Revitalising the Ecumenical Movement in Asia.” The gathering of 60 church and ecumenical leaders was organised by the CCA at its headquarters in Chiang Mai, Thailand as a prelude to its Diamond Jubilee celebration.

The Philippines has long been noticed for crimes committed against its people, but now human rights violations of the government of President Roderigo Duterte are coming under scrutiny at the Human Rights Council after submissions made by church-backed civil society groups.

“We’ve seen in the case of refugees, how the church takes a strong standpoint in welcoming those who have fled. But it isn’t always so easy in the congregations. There are many who feel fear, as we receive not only refugees but sometimes also people of other faiths. In this case, we can see a gap between what the church says, and what is actually lived.”