As the latest set of World Council of Churches (WCC) ecumenical accompaniers left Palestine and Israel, ushering in a new set who will take the mantle, a handover ceremony brought heartfelt prayers for a just peace in the region.
El secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, el Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, en nombre de la comunidad mundial de iglesias, expresó profunda preocupación por la reciente escalada de la violencia en Oriente Medio tras la primera confrontación directa entre Irán e Israel.
World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, on behalf of the global fellowship, expressed grave concern regarding the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East following the first direct confrontation between Iran and Israel.
Mount Zion, located just outside the current walls of the Old City, via Zion Gate, is of great importance to Christians because this is the area of Dormition Abbey, the Cenacle (the traditional spot for remembering the Last Supper and washing of the Apostles’ feet), and where the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the event of Pentecost.
Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and H.E. Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian, moderator and vice moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee, respectively, traveled to New York City on 3-4 April to deepen the WCC’s engagement with the United Nations.
On Palm Sunday, accompaniers from the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel walked in the traditional procession, carrying messages of solidarity with Gaza Christians during an especially painful time.
El Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) ha publicado nuevos recursos en línea relacionados con la Iniciativa de Pascua 2024: “Salir de las tinieblas: solidaridad pascual con Tierra Santa”.
El periodo de tiempo transcurrido desde el 7 de octubre de 2023 se ha descrito de muchas maneras, y, en palabras de Robi Damelin, ha sido “una verdadera prueba de fuego para nuestros sistemas de creencias”.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has published online new materials related to the 2024 WCC-EAPPI Easter Initiative: “Out of the darkness – Easter solidarity with the Holy Land.”
Six ecumenical accompaniers have returned to Palestine and Israel, resuming in-person operations for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. Ecumenical accompaniers, who were evacuated beginning of October 2023, had been continuing their support and accompaniment online.
Ministering to the needs of displaced people, most of them south of Gaza, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches has a clear message to the world.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) supports a UN resolution, passed on 12 December 2023, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
La Sexta Conferencia Mundial de Fe y Constitución del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) –que conmemorará el 1700º aniversario del Primer Concilio Ecuménico de Nicea– tendrá lugar en Egipto en octubre de 2025 por invitación de la Iglesia Ortodoxa Copta.
The Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches (WCC), marking the 1700th anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, is to take place in Egypt in October 2025 at the invitation of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Despite the war, security concerns, and travel restrictions, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel and the WCC Jerusalem Office continue to operate. Ecumenical accompaniers have observed increasing violence against Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7.
The Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO), celebrated its 75th anniversary, held a webinar in New York City on 27 October entitled “UN-NGO Relations: Enhancing Multilateralism, Protecting NGO Access, Civic Space, and Democratic Discourse.”
Tras el estallido de las hostilidades el 7 de octubre —con el lanzamiento de miles de misiles desde Gaza a Israel y la infiltración de hombres armados de Hamás en el sur de Israel, y la consiguiente respuesta militar israelí—, el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) está adaptando su labor en Tierra Santa para seguir apoyando los esfuerzos en favor de una paz justa.
Following the outbreak of hostilities on 7 October – with a reported launch of thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel and the infiltration of southern Israel by Hamas gunmen, and an ensuing Israeli military response – the World Council of Churches (WCC) is adapting its work in the Holy Land to continue to support efforts for just peace.
With olive picking about to begin in earnest for Palestinian farmers, they are sharing joy in their deep tradition of the harvest—and deep apprehension about harassment and aggression that seems to have already set in.