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Tveit “We hope that this Nobel Peace Prize will provide fresh inspiration and momentum in the ongoing search for peace and justice in Ethiopia”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) offers its congratulations to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2019. Since his election as Prime Minister in April 2018, Mr Ahmed has championed an impressive programme of positive and inspiring reform initiatives, and played a decisive role in the reconciliation of the two synods and fostered unity of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The achievement which this award particularly recognizes is his leadership in bringing an formal end to the twenty-year long fratricidal conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

«Nous espérons que ce prix Nobel de la paix sera une source d’inspiration et insufflera un nouvel élan à la recherche continue de la paix et de la justice en Éthiopie», déclare M. Tveit

Le Conseil œcuménique des Églises (COE) transmet ses félicitations au Premier ministre éthiopien Abiy Ahmed, lauréat du prix Nobel de la paix 2019. Depuis son élection comme Premier ministre en avril 2018, M. Ahmed a pris la tête d’un impressionnant projet d’incitatives de réformes positives et stimulantes et a joué un rôle décisif dans la réconciliation des deux synodes, tout en favorisant l’unité de l’Église orthodoxe Tewahedo d’Éthiopie. Ce prix reconnaît plus particulièrement son rôle d’impulsion dans la résolution formelle du conflit fratricide qui oppose l’Éthiopie et l’Érythrée depuis vingt ans.

Churches in southern Africa stand against violence, xenophobia

Churches across southern Africa are publicly saying #EnoughIsEnough,” with many denominations and congregations continuing to issue strong statements, arrange special prayer events, and speak out against rising levels of violence.

Both the Dutch Reformed Church and the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) have been discussing gender justice and how to keep the momentum going on the unprecedented public demand for change.

WCC gravely concerned for West Papua

The World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit is gravely concerned by the deteriorating situation in West Papua (the Indonesian provinces of Papua and Papua Barat), especially in light of reports from church partners in the territory that peaceful anti-racism demonstrations by Papuan students have been attacked with lethal force by Indonesian military forces and armed settler militias. In other places we have learned about horizontal violence between Papuans and non-indigenous residents.

African religious leaders express new concerns over South Sudan peace

A new concern for South Sudan is emerging, as African religious leaders warn that the failure to implement the latest peace agreement could push the young nation back into war.

The leaders spoke in Nairobi on 12 September, the day the world’s newest nation marked a year since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.

In Japan, theologians reflect on today’s global manifestations of racism

Twenty-five ecumenical theologians and leaders gathered for public lectures coordinated by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Tokyo, Japan, on 17 September under the theme “Global Manifestations of Racism Today”.

Lectures and responses reflected on racism as a major concern of the ecumenical movement. Reflections focused on understanding global manifestations of racism today, and reaffirming the intersection of race and ethnicity with other determining characteristics.

WCC in discussions at UN side event on historic document signed by Pope Francis in United Arab Emirates

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is currently working on learning from its member churches and other partners about the realities around the world of racism, discrimination, and xenophobia, WCC director of international affairs Peter Prove has told a gathering at the United Nations in Geneva.
Prove, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, Prove was speaking on 17 September at a side event during the 42nd UN Human Rights Council from 9 - 27 September at the Palais des Nations.

Le COE en discussion, lors d’un événement parallèle à l’ONU, à propos du document historique signé par le pape François aux Émirats arabes unis

Le Conseil œcuménique des Églises (COE) se forme auprès de ses Églises membres et autres partenaires sur la réalité du racisme, de la discrimination et de la xénophobie autour du monde, a déclaré Peter Prove, directeur des affaires internationales du COE, lors d’une réunion aux Nations Unies à Genève.

Directeur de la Commission des Églises pour les affaires internationales du COE, Peter Prove parlait le 17 septembre lors d’un événement parallèle organisé pendant le 42e Conseil des droits de l’homme de l’ONU, qui se tient du 9 au 27 septembre au Palais des Nations.

Dr Saïd Ailabouni: God is on the side of rejected, oppressed, occupied

Born in Nazareth, Galilee, Rev. Dr Saïd Ailabouni moved to the US at the age of 19 to become a physician. But he was so angry at God that he went to study theology instead, becoming a Lutheran pastor. Now he is leading the Middle East & Europe desk of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Since leaving his hometown 50 years ago, he visits his Palestinian family regularly. As the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel approaches, Ailabouni agreed to share some of his lifetime observations with the Word Council of Churches.

Dr Saïd Ailabouni: Dieu est du côté des personnes rejetées, opprimées et sous occupation

Né à Nazareth, en Galilée, le pasteur Saïd Ailabouni a déménagé aux États-Unis à l’âge de 19 ans pour devenir médecin. Or, sa colère contre Dieu était telle qu’il a préféré suivre des études de théologie avant de devenir pasteur luthérien. Il est aujourd’hui à la tête du bureau pour le Moyen-Orient et l’Europe de l’Église évangélique luthérienne d’Amérique. Depuis qu’il a quitté sa terre natale, il y a 50 ans, il rend régulièrement visite à ses proches en Palestine. Alors que la Semaine mondiale pour la paix en Palestine et Israël approche, le pasteur Ailabouni accepte de confier certaines de ses réflexions, égrenées au fil des ans, au Conseil œcuménique des Églises.

Erhard Hermansen: “The church in South Sudan needs our prayers"

Erhard Hermansen is general secretary of the Christian Council of Norway, which has been collaborating closely with churches in Sudan and South Sudan for nearly 30 years. Hermansen attended the South Sudan Council of Churches 2019 Assembly in late August, and shares his reflections and hopes below.

Pope Francis expresses “fraternal closeness” with Waldensian Methodist

As the Waldensian Methodist Synod met in Torre Pelisse in the north of Italy, the assembled delegates received a letter from Pope Francis, who expressed warm greetings.

“I pray for each of you that you may experience the Holy Spirit in these days of encounter, prayer and reflection,” wrote Pope Francis. “Please allow me to join in your prayer that the Lord would deepen the ecumenical spirit among Christians and lead our churches into a growing communion with each other.”

Regional forum in Nigeria centers on banning nuclear weapons

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, together with its campaigners in West Africa, held a regional forum for members of the Economic Community of West African States as well as civil society organisations in Abuja, Nigeira from15-16 August.

UN day on violence victims stresses religious tolerance

A group of United Nations experts together say that countries have an important role to play in promoting religious tolerance and cultural diversity and that they can do this by promoting and protecting human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.

A passionate Korean feminist and ecumenist

At the most glorious moment in her career, Rev. Prof. Dr Sang Chang discovered that society is not always friendly and that politics can be devilish. But thanks to God, she got over it. Without bitterness and even more determined in her fight for gender equality and social justice.

Une Coréenne féministe et œcuméniste convaincue

Alors qu’elle vivait le moment le plus glorieux de sa carrière, la pasteure Sang Chang prit conscience que la société ne rime pas toujours avec bienveillance et que la politique peut s’avérer diabolique. Mais grâce à Dieu, elle s’en est remise. Sans amertume et plus que jamais déterminée dans sa lutte pour l’égalité des sexes et la justice sociale.