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As Rev. Dan San Andres Sr, known as a defender of human rights, was arrested a week after the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act was passed in the Philippines, the World Council of Churches (WCC) joined with the bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in calling for justice.

Throughout 2020, the World Council of Churches (WCC), together with the National Council of Churches in Korea, has been observing a Global Prayer Campaign,“We Pray, Peace Now, End the War.” As part of the campaign, the WCC is sharing personal stories and interviews that inspire others to work for peace. The story below features the perspective of U.S. war veterans, all of whom are also featured in video interviews.

A lo largo de 2020, el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) y el Consejo Nacional de Iglesias de Corea han seguido la campaña mundial de oración “We pray, Peace Now, End the War” (Oramos: paz ahora, fin a la guerra). En el marco de esa campaña, el CMI difunde historias personales y entrevistas que sirven de inspiración para trabajar por la paz. La historia que se presenta a continuación refleja la perspectiva de los veteranos de guerra estadounidenses, quienes aparecen también en las entrevistas que muestran los videos.

August 2020 will mark 75 years since the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki - attacks which devastated those cities and killed or injured several hundred thousands of people. Many more suffered for years afterwards, from having been exposed to the deadly radiation released into the air and water on those days.

A Joint Ecumenical Peace Message for the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War was publicly delivered on 22 June during a live-streamed event. Co-sponsored by churches and councils of churches around the world, especially from countries that participated in the Korean War, the message describes the Korean War as an “appallingly destructive conflict” after which no peace treaty was ever concluded.

El Mensaje Ecuménico Conjunto por la Paz con motivo del 70º aniversario del comienzo de la guerra de Corea fue comunicado públicamente el 22 de junio durante un acontecimiento retransmitido en directo. El mensaje, copatrocinado por iglesias y consejos de iglesias del mundo entero, y en particular de países que participaron en la guerra de Corea, describe esa guerra como “un conflicto terriblemente destructivo” después del cual nunca se firmó un tratado de paz.

In a lively online discussion entitled “Breaking Down the Walls,” the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church explored the racial injustices in our society, how racism plays a role in the Indian American community, and what Orthodox Christians can do.
Sunil Kurian, an attorney who resides in Philadelphia (USA) moderated the discussion, saying: “These are troubling times. We as Orthodox Christians must break down the walls of racism that separate us.”

In a campaign called simply “United Methodists Stand Against Racism,” the United Methodist Church is offering an array of worship opportunities, prayer gatherings, practical suggestions and other resources.

“We recognize racism as a sin,” reads a statement introducing the campaign. “We commit to challenging unjust systems of power and access.”

The Council for World Mission published a statement, entitled “I Can’t Breathe,” reflecting that black and minority ethnic communities, as well as migrant workers, are treated as cheap and disposable labour, frequently denied equal rights, wages and dignity. “COVID-19 reveals the pandemic of inequality that is all around us,” reads the statement. “These statistics and realities frame lives, deaths and a system.”

The Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians published a statement entitled “Mama, Mama…I Can’t Breathe!” that expresses heartbreak over the death of George Floyd at the hands of a policeman.

“Floyd pleaded for his life to no avail until he finally succumbed to death,” reads the statement. “The community has been pleading, ‘Black Lives Matter.’ ”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee has issued a statement reiterating its call for a conversion that will end all forms of racism and racial discrimination.

El Comité Ejecutivo del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) ha publicado una declaración en la que reitera su llamado a una conversión que ponga fin a todas las formas de racismo y de discriminación racial.

As protests erupted in more than 30 cities across the US in the wake of the death of George Floyd, churches in the US collectively expressed anger combined with a clarion call for a change—once and for all—in a nation that has tolerated violent racism for too long.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) condemned violence, racism and police brutality in the US, following the death of George Floyd, a black man who was unarmed, at the hands of a police officer.

El Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) condenó la violencia, el racismo y la brutalidad policial en los Estados Unidos de América tras la muerte de George Floyd, un hombre negro desarmado, a manos de un oficial de policía.

As the names of thousands of loved ones scrolled across their computer screens, many in the USA paused to mourn as the nation observed Memorial Day weekend. On 24 May, the National Council of Churches (USA) hosted “A Time to Mourn,” an online ecumenical memorial service for lives lost to COVID-19.

Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, a retired United Methodist bishop from the USA, has spent her career voicing the need for a church that includes all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. And, throughout her career, she’s never been afraid to say that out loud.

Rabbi Mark Dratch is the executive vice president of the Rabbinical Council of America. Below, he reflects on what has inspired him amid the pain of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how we can work together to create a redeemed world.

El rabino Mark Dratch es el vicepresidente ejecutivo del Consejo Rabínico de América. A continuación, reflexiona sobre lo que le ha inspirado en medio del dolor de la pandemia de la COVID-19, y sobre cómo podemos trabajar juntos para crear un mundo redimido.

The National Council of Churches (USA) has joined with other humanitarian and human rights organizations in writing the US Congress to urge that obstacles keeping nongovernmental organizations from addressing the “devastating potential for COVID-19’s spread” within the nation of North Korea be removed.