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Ecumenical theology at chapel, classroom, and office: Odair Pedroso Mateus reflects on serving the WCC

Rev. Dr Odair Pedroso Mateus began to teach at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in 2004 and joined the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 2007. Most recently he served as WCC interim deputy general secretary and Faith and Order director. Below, he reflects on his fondest memories, accomplishments, and hopes.

08 February 2023

Black and orange booklet cover with an AIDS ribbon

Read the booklet on HIV and AIDS Civil Society Networks and the Faith Sector

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) publication highlights the lessons learnt from the project Strategic Engagement of Civil Society Networks and Faith Actors in the HIV Response in India, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Jamaica.

02 February 2023

In letters to Colombian president and peace commissioner, WCC offers solidarity and support to peacebuilding process

The World Council of Churches (WCC), in letters to Colombian president Gustavo Petro and to Colombian peace commissioner Danilo Rueda, expressed the WCC’s support and solidarity for peace-building in Colombia—and confirmed the WCC’s representation in the dialogue process between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) in response to an earlier invitation.

06 January 2023

In Chile, “Churches’ ministry of reconciliation is key”

Bishop Izani Bruch, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile, serves as the Evangelical chaplain of the Government House at the Palacio de La Moneda, in Santiago since April 2022. Below, she shares insights about the current situation of the country from the perspective of Christian responsibility.

29 November 2022

World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and ACT Alliance commend appointment of women to negotiate Colombian peace agreement

In a letter to Colombian president Gustavo Petro Urrego, and to the high commissioner for peace Danilo Rueda Rodriguéz, the World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and ACT Alliance congratulated the government of Colombia for the appointment of four women to the negotiation team for a peace agreement with the National Liberation Army.

29 November 2022

Jocabed Solano brings Indigenous perspective to COP27: “We are dancing and we have our feet together with the land”

Jocabed Solano is attending COP27, bringing an Indigenous perspective from Panama and from Latin America.

16 November 2022

Migrants in Argentina find listening ears and open hearts

Located in the Flores neighborhood of the City of Buenos Aires, for almost 50 years the Argentine Commission for Refugees and Migrants has carried out committed work in favor of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

04 November 2022

Evangelical Church of the River Plate planting trees

WCC shares greetings with Evangelical Church of the River Plate, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca shared greetings with the Evangelical Church of the River Plate in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay; as well as the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil. Both churches had gatherings during which they elected leaders and prayed together.

26 October 2022

Eco School alumna recalls “very enriching and formative experience”

Malena Lozada, from Argentina, attended the World Council of Churches Eco School in 2018. She has remained engaged in climate talks, and is now a climate scientist pursuing a PhD related to climate change.

21 October 2022

Memorial service marking the 50th anniversary of martial law in the Philippines

Church leaders remember martyrs in Philippines, call for end to current campaign of repression

Church leaders in the Philippines gathered in an ecumenical memorial service in Manila on 21 September, the 50^th 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.

06 October 2022

WCC sends greetings on 75th anniversary of formation of Church of South India

World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca sent joyful greetings to the Church of South India (CSI) as it celebrates its historic 75th anniversary.

27 September 2022

A neighborhood women's group in Chennai, India, learns about HIV and AIDS as they play a game designed by educators from the Madras Christian Council of Social Service.

WCC begins work to bring HIV back to national agendas with focus on sustainability

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is beginning a project with local partners in four countries—India, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Jamaica—to bring back HIV and AIDS response to the national agendas, this time with a focus on sustainability.

27 September 2022

Pastor Peter Stucky wins Menno Simons Preaching Prize 2022

The Center for Peace Church Theology (University of Hamburg, Germany), together with the Mennonite congregation of Hamburg-Altona, will award, on 2 October, the international Menno Simons Preaching Prize to Peter Stucky, pastor of the Mennonite congregation of Teusaquillo in Bogotá (Colombia) and professor emeritus at the Seminario Bíblico Menonita.

15 September 2022

Blog post

Entrance to the WCC 11th Assembly venue in Karlsruhe

Under the canopy of yellow leaves

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.

04 September 2022

Klein Fausto Emperado

International seminar commemorates life of Dr Paulose Mar Gregorios

Opening an online international seminar commemorating the life of Dr Paulose Mar Gregorios, World Council of Churches (WCC) deputy general secretary Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri shared thoughts on his ecumenical contributions.

10 August 2022

Tapestry artist Janine Marja Schneider sews regret, hope, and love into “Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance”

As Brazilian artist Janine Marja Schneider pieces together the “Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance” tapestry, she brings mixed emotions to her endeavors. On one hand, she’s inspired to bring the stories of women from around the world to life on the colorful blocks that cascade downward like liquid. On the other hand, with every stitch, she more deeply absorbs what brings these women together: it’s what they’ve survived.

04 August 2022

WCC expresses great concern in wake of earthquake on Luzon Island, Philippines

World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca expressed great concern in the wake of a 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the northern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines on 27 July.

02 August 2022

Lighting the lives of many

Empowering underprivileged women and their children to alleviate poverty was the main topic of one of the confessional meetings held during the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting in mid-June.

28 June 2022