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In Fiji, mindset is changing amid work to prevent violence against women

Thursdays in Black grew out of women’s movements of resilience and resistance to injustice, abuse and violence. In the Pacific region, which has some of the highest recorded rates of violence against women, churches are leading conversations to change attitudes and actions. Domestic violence is prevalent throughout Fiji. According to UN Women’s Global Database on Violence against Women, almost 2 out of 3 women aged 18-64 in Fiji have experienced physical or sexual violence from their intimate partner – almost twice the global average.

Easter at home: celebrations still bring joy thanks to creative delivery

As Christians across the world prepare to celebrate Easter shuttered in their homes, they will still find the joy of the day and feel closer to each other, thanks to creative thinking by church leaders.

From including photos of church members within webcast worship services, to placing written greetings at doorways, Easter celebrations can still safely connect people who want to celebrate the resurrection of their common Lord.

CCIA meets in Brisbane with focus on Pacific regional priorities

Impacts of the climate change and the lingering health and environmental effects of nuclear testing on the countries in the Pacific region are among the issues to be discussed at the meeting of the WCC’s Commission of Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), convened from 19 to 21 February in Brisbane, Australia.

The cry of the Papuans in Indonesia

The World Council of Churches (WCC) continues to amplify the voice of the indigenous Papuans in Indonesia, who are oppressed by racism and discrimination.

Concerned about the escalating crisis of violence, racism and discrimination against indigenous Papuans in Indonesia, a side event co-sponsored by the WCC was convened during a fall session of the UN Human Rights Council to discuss patterns that are oppressing and displacing Papuans.

Indigenous peoples uniquely equipped to combat climate change

Indigenous peoples are not only on the frontline of climate change impacts, they are also uniquely equipped with expertise to help defend ecology. Two groups - the Ecumenical Indigenous Peoples’ Networks Reference Group and the Working Group on Climate Change of the World Council of Churches (WCC) - underscored this idea as they met to discuss the world’s climate emergency. Both are composed of theologians, indigenous persons, scientists and experts on ecology and economy, representing churches from around the world.

An advocate for family values, called by God

When Kenneth Ben grew up in the sixties and seventies each day started and ended with a prayer. His father, who was a pastor, had a pulpit in the home and his parents built a lifestyle around Christian values. Ben also learned early on the value of an extended family, where grandparents and relatives are included.

Un défenseur des valeurs familiales appelé par Dieu

Pendant l’enfance de Kenneth Ben, dans les années 1960 et 1970, chaque jour commençait et s’achevait par une prière. Son père, qui était pasteur, avait une chaire dans la maison, et ses parents avaient construit leur mode de vie autour de valeurs chrétiennes. Kenneth a également appris très tôt la valeur d’une famille élargie qui intègre les grands-parents et les autres membres de la famille.

Young theologian calls for revolutionary reform of mission

“Is our notion of discipleship inclusive of those who exist in the marginal spaces of our world?”, asked Adi Mariana Waqa, the keynote speaker of a plenary on the theme of mission from the margins at the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME).

#WCC70: A story of how we meet together

The adoption of consensus decision-making for WCC meetings was proposed in 2002. Dr Jill Tabart of the Uniting Church in Australia was consensus mentor as these new meeting procedures were introduced at the 9th Assembly and beyond.

#WCC70: Un récit de la manière dont nous nous réunissons

L’adoption de la prise de décision par consensus aux réunions du COE a été proposée en 2002. Jill Tabart de l’Église unifiante d’Australie était mentor pour le consensus lorsque ces nouvelles procédures de réunion furent introduites à la 9e Assemblée et ultérieurement.

In Fiji, “time to go beyond the reef”

At a Welcome Service on 13 August for the 2017 Annual Conference at the Centenary Methodist Church in Suva, Fiji, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit offered a sermon that reflected on what it means, spiritually and ecologically, to exist in deep water.

Indigenous spirituality: can it transform injustice into justice?

"We worship in different languages and cultures, yet all one in Christ. This is an immensely enriching experience,” said Dr Jude Long, principal of Nungalinya College, in Darwin, Australia, as she explored spirituality with indigenous people from across the world this week.

La spiritualité autochtone peut-elle transformer l’injustice en justice?

«Nous célébrons nos cultes dans des langues et des cultures différentes, mais tous unis en Christ. C’est une expérience extrêmement enrichissante!» s’est réjouie Jude Long, principale du collège Nungalinya de Darwin (Territoire du Nord), en Australie, qui explorait cette semaine la spiritualité des populations autochtones du monde entier.

Disability, justice and spirituality focus of Australia conference

The “Exclusion and Embrace Conference: Disability, Justice and Spirituality” was held in Melbourne, Australia 20-24 August. The multi-faith conference explored the issues of faith and meaning in the lived experience of disability. Participants discussed ethics, care, inclusion in faith communities, friendship, discrimination, love, justice and liberation. Dr Samuel Kabue, executive secretary of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, gave a presentation entitled “Disability/Theology in curriculum of Theological Institutions.”

Le handicap, la justice et la spiritualité au centre d’une conférence organisée en Australie

La «Conférence sur l’exclusion et l’inclusion: handicap, justice et spiritualité» s’est tenue à Melbourne, en Australie, du 20 au 24 août. Cette conférence multireligieuse s’est notamment intéressée à la question de la foi dans les expériences vécues de handicap. Les participantes et participants se sont penchés sur des thèmes tels que l’éthique, l’accompagnement, l’inclusion dans les communautés de croyants, l’amitié, la discrimination, l’amour, la justice et la libération. Samuel Kabue, secrétaire exécutif du Réseau œcuménique de défense des personnes handicapées (EDAN) du Conseil œcuménique des Églises, a fait un exposé intitulé «Handicap/théologie dans les programmes des institutions théologiques».