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As a search continued for missing migrants after a fishing boat capsized off the coast of Greece, the World Council of Churches (WCC) conveyed prayers to the families of victims, and to the churches in Greece and elsewhere that are responding.

A dozen global and regional religious organizations released an advocacy statement on the situation of migrants and refugees in Europe that defines their calling as Christians to “welcome the stranger,” and urges the creation of a world in which “we become human together.”

Una docena de organizaciones religiosas mundiales y regionales han publicado una declaración sobre la promoción de derechos en relación con la situación de los migrantes y refugiados en Europa que define su vocación como cristianos de “acoger al extranjero” e insta a la creación de un mundo en el que “nos hagamos humanos juntos”.

Christian organizations representing 2 billion people—about one-third of the world's population—have released a statement on the dire situation of migrants and refugees in Europe, and they are demanding a more compassionate approach.

Organizaciones cristianas que representan a 2000 millones de personas –aproximadamente un tercio de la población mundial– han hecho pública una declaración sobre la grave situación de los migrantes y los refugiados en Europa, y exigen un enfoque más compasivo.

Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece offers reflections from an Orthodox perspective on the current plight of refugees, both in Greece and beyond, and how churches can help with both relief efforts and long-term wellbeing.

El arzobispo Ieronymos de Atenas y toda Grecia ofrece sus reflexiones, desde una perspectiva ortodoxa, sobre la difícil situación que viven los refugiados, en Grecia y en el resto del mundo, y sobre la manera en que las iglesias pueden contribuir tanto a prestarles ayuda como a su bienestar en el largo plazo.

Rev. Fr Dr Lawrence Iwuamadi is dean of the Ecumenical Institute, the graduate school which opened its academic year this week. Below, Iwuamadi reflects on the arrival of new students at the Ecumenical Institute during this remarkable time.

Church leaders from Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark signed a statement demanding that we take “human responsibility” for refugees on the border between Turkey and Greece.

A German delegation comprised of representatives of municipalities, church leaders and prominent civil society organizations recently visited the Greek island of Lesbos, already hosting tens of thousands of migrants and displaced people, and was on site when the news of the opening of the Turkish border was announced and the first new arrivals were appearing.

Una delegación alemana integrada por representantes de municipios, dirigentes de iglesias y destacadas organizaciones de la sociedad civil visitó recientemente la isla griega de Lesbos, que ya acoge a decenas de miles de migrantes y desplazados, y estaba allí cuando se anunció la apertura de la frontera turca y aparecieron los primeros recién llegados.

Monday 28 January was a very special day for 25-year-old student Kezia Wairata from Jakarta, Indonesia. Along with 30 dedicated peers she received her diploma in advanced studies of ecumenism at the WCC Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland.

Dealing with people on the move is crucial to the work of the Church in the 21st century says Greek Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia and Filadelfia. More than 31,000 irregular migrants arrived in Greece by sea in 2018 and almost 17,000 arrived by land, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Whether as individual believers or as a community, it is our collective task to advocate for Christian unity, says Melanio L. Aoanan from the Philippines. A clear vision for religious and ecumenical theological education is needed that is relevant in the 21st century.

Ya sea individualmente, como creyentes, o como comunidad, es nuestra tarea colectiva defender la unidad de los cristianos, dice Melanio L. Aoanan. El educador filipino reclama una perspectiva clara de la educación ecuménica que sea relevante en el siglo XXI.

The 8th International Conference of Orthodox faculties, just held in Thessaloniki, Greece, is expected to contribute to the interpretation and reception of the 2016 “Holy and Great Council” of the Eastern Orthodox churches.

The Theological Faculty of Aristoteleion University in Thessaloniki organized an international colloquium on 19-20 April to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) as well as the 70th anniversary of the election of Patriarch Athenagoras as head of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

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.

“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.”