When COVID-19 brought its dark cloud of sickness, fear, and anxiety to his corner of the UK, Rev. Harvey Richardson decided to embrace his friends with the light of prayer.
Scholars, including colleagues and students of the Anglican theologian Rowan Williams, gathered in Cambridge to honour the contribution of the former Archbishop of Canterbury as a theologian, scholar and church leader, following his retirement in 2020 as Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.
As the World Council of Churches celebrates its 75th anniversary, a series of feature stories from different regions of the world will portray ecumenism at the local level—within churches, communities, and individuals who embody the spirit of ecumenism in unique ways. The feature story below offers a glimpse of some facets of ecumenism present in the Philippines.
In April 2023, at Birkenhead, UK which is near Liverpool town, home to one of the world’s best football team (Liverpool) and where the best-ever pop group (Beatles) came from, Rev. John Naude, EDAN Europe coordinator was licensed as vicar to St Peter’s, Rock Ferry.
In his first address after his election on 19 April 2005, Pope Benedict XVI pledged to work for the full and visible unity of all of Christ’s followers, Dr Stephen G. Brown, editor of the World Council of Churches journal The Ecumenical Review, has recalled in an address to a symposium in Dublin.
Church leaders in the Philippines gathered in an ecumenical memorial service in Manila on 21 September, the 50th anniversary of the imposition of martial law, to solemnly recall people of faith who were tortured and killed during the brutal regime of president Ferdinand Marcos.
Queen Elizabeth II held the title "Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England," but for the seven decades of her monarchy, these were not mere titles; many have spoken of her deep Christian faith and how she lived it.
Ushered into the venue of the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, one finds a sanctuary, a safe space under the canopy of yellow leaves. Under the shade of trees with leaves slowly going through the withering process is the springing of hope for a better world engaged in conversations and dialogues that promote life at its fullness.
A Scottish Episcopal Church has become one of the first churches in Scotland to obtain planning permission for the installation of solar panels on a listed building situated in a conservation area.
Prayers for unity took on a different look and feel this year, but they weren’t stopped by widespread restrictions on face-to-face gatherings. From prayer cards to personal reflections, online gatherings to new connections, the images worldwide convey the spiritual richness of an ecumenical family that came together in prayer.