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Conversation in a sign lanuage

Churches in Africa agree on guidelines for disability inclusion

“I have cerebral palsy spastic quadriplegia, meaning all of my limbs are severely affected by my cerebral. However, I am not defined by my cerebral palsy. There's much more to me than my cerebral palsy,” Julius Van Der Wat, a member of the Dutch Reformed Church in Pretoria, South Africa, told a recent churches’ disability conference in South Africa.

19 December 2023

Church leaders lighting a cande

In historic show of unity, Ethiopian churches commit to establishing national council

With a historic show of unity, Ethiopian churches meeting at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey made the decision to establish a council of churches in their country.

30 November 2023

Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata addressing Ethiopian church leaders

Ethiopian church leaders meet at Ecumenical Institute at Bossey

To strengthen ecumenical co-operation in humanitarian response and in peacebuilding in Ethiopia, high-level delegations from the largest Ethiopian churches are convening on 27-30 November at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey.

28 November 2023

Jerry Pillay

WCC general secretary at University of South Africa: “Christian voice for unity is not restricted to the church”

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay delivered a public lecture, “A Christian Voice in a World of Conflict,” at the University of South Africa on 27 November.

27 November 2023

WCC offers prayers for General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa

The World Council of Churches (WCC) sent a message with prayers and hope to the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. “As you know the WCC is a fellowship of churches that seeks the unity of Christians in the world,” wrote WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay.

13 October 2023

Meeting with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa

WCC general secretary meets with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss local and global peace

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay met with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, discussing peace initiatives across the globe—and the role of the WCC and South African leaders.

10 August 2023

PhotoByAlbinHillert_20190127_AH2_8038

WCC signs joint letter expressing concern over suspension of food aid in Ethiopia

The World Council of Churches (WCC) joined Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance, World Evangelical Alliance, and Lutheran World Federation in signing a joint letter to USAID administrator Samantha Power expressing concern over the suspension of food aid in Ethiopia.

14 July 2023

A communal water tap in an informal settlement of Cape Town.

Water and social inequality: lessons learnt from “Day Zero”

Following three years of severe drought, in 2018 the City of Cape Town faced an unprecedented water crisis, known as “Day Zero.” Severe water restrictions were introduced to avoid Day Zero, the day in which the city would run out of water.

28 May 2023

Dr Rachel Mash

Group photo of some keynote speakers at the ZacTax relaunch in Africa May 2023

ZacTax Campaign relaunched in Africa

“Tax justice is a matter of faith,” said Suzanne Matale. “By faith, [all] are entitled to abundant life. Ordinary people have a right to know and to participate in decision-making tables that affect our own God-given dignity.”

23 May 2023

In prayer, WCC observes UN International Day for Living Together in Peace

During an ecumenical morning prayer held 15 May, the World Council of Churches (WCC) staff and partners observed the UN International Day of Living Together in Peace, holding in prayer many nations across the world facing challenges to living together in harmony.

15 May 2023

Woman holding hands in prayer

Rwandan churches express pain after floods kill 130 people

Church leaders in Rwanda are mourning the death of 130 people after massive floods struck several districts in the tiny East African country.

05 May 2023

Improving financial literacy among rural women in Uganda

Women’s wellness and mental health as part of the mission of the church – a wounded healer’s balm

I received a call from a friend of mine - we both work as medical doctors and had earlier realised that our husbands, who are ministers in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, had been friends for years —this is one of the reasons that drew us to each other. She had been attending the February meeting of the Methodist Women’s Prayer and Service Union (Manyano), Connexional Extended Executive Meeting. My friend said that the general president, Gretta Makhwenkwe, had appointed us to the Wellness Committee.

30 March 2023

Dr Nomonde Mqhayi-Mbambo

Archbishop Abune Aregawi

WCC mourns loss of Archbishop Abune Aregawi, peace-builder in Ethiopia and beyond

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is mourning the loss of Archbishop Abune Aregawi, who was an inspiring peace-builder in Ethiopia and beyond, as well as a former member of the WCC central committee.

24 March 2023

Global Peace Prayer will draw Christians together in hope for better future

A Global Peace Prayer on 22 March will draw Christians together in hope for a better future. A communique from a prayer planning committee explained that Christians are called into prayer and advocacy for peace. “In a global context where war and violence abound, the practice of peace has become even more urgent,” reads the message.

21 March 2023

South African Council of Churches shares video message of peace and reassurance

South African Council of Churches general secretary, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, released a video message of peace and reassurance as, he notes, more and more voices are reaching out for the word of God.

21 March 2023

Prof. Jace Pillay

Prof. Jace Pillay reflects on importance of churches in upholding children’s rights

Prof. Jace Pillay, South African research chair for Education and Care in Childhood at the University of Johannesburg, reflected on the importance of churches in ensuring the rights of children.

Twin brother of World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, Jace Pillay noted that South Africa has very good policies with regard to children’s rights —but in many areas those policies exist only on paper, as they are not implemented.

14 March 2023

Report on the impact of sanctions on humanitarian work

Report on sanctions impact launched at the UN Human Rights Council

Sanctions should not harm the support for the most vulnerable, says a report on the impact of sanctions on humanitarian work presented at a side-event of 52nd session at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in Geneva on 10 March.

10 March 2023

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay in the chapel

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay upon his installation as WCC general secretary: “God has saved me for this moment”

As Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay was installed as the ninth general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), he reflected on how much the day means to him, and he sought prayers from the worldwide fellowship and from all people of good will as he continues his work.

17 February 2023

Cross on the church tower in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

WCC expresses solidarity with Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Prof. Rev. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed deep concern about recent developments that massively affect the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and threaten its unity.

03 February 2023

the All Africa Theological Education by Extension Association 5th Quadrennial Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, 24-28 October

Theological education in Africa promotes social transformation

A Theological Education by Extension programme in Africa aims to reach many people who can collectively drive social transformation. This was affirmed during the All Africa Theological Education by Extension Association 5th Quadrennial Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, 24-28 October.

03 November 2022