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God’s gift economy is key to churches’ mission

The general secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, told the new Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council meeting that its stated theme—“Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8)—not only “points to the most significant contribution of the Lutheran tradition” to the ecumenical movement but also “goes to the heart of our shared mission as churches.”

Pope’s visit raises hopes for persecuted Christians

The visit of the pope to the World Council of Churches (WCC) has special significance, given the current situation in the Middle East and North Africa, where Christians are suffering persecution, says a member of WCC’s senior governing body.

New book launched to mark WCC’s 70th anniversary

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has published a book by British ecumenist Rev. Dr Donald W. Norwood presenting the story of the global church network since its creation in 1948. Pilgrimage of Faith: Introducing the World Council of Churches offers a lively and informative historical sketch of the organization and is a key resource to mark WCC’s 70th anniversary.

Rev. Frank Chikane: Working together to heal wounds of conflict

‘Walking, praying and working together’ was the theme of Pope Francis’ 21 June visit to Geneva to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). Among those listening to the Pope's words was Pentecostal pastor Rev. Frank Chikane, one of the leaders of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.

Pope Francis at Palexpo: “I will pray for you”

“I will pray for you, that the Lord will accompany you at every step, particularly on the journey of ecumenism.” With these words, spoken at the close of the liturgy with 30,000 people in the convention hall of Palexpo, Pope Francis ended his daylong Ecumenical Pilgrimage to Geneva and offered a strong encouragement to the Catholic community in Switzerland to live ecumenically with the faithful of other denominations.

Korean Christian leaders: churches have vital role in peace process

Korea’s Christian leaders have urged Catholics to work together with the WCC to help bring peace and reconciliation to their country. Rev. Dr Sang Chang, president of WCC’s Asia region, and Rev. Dr Lee Hong-jeong, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) were speaking as Pope Francis visited the headquarters of the ecumenical movement in Geneva to mark the WCC’s 70th anniversary.

Marginalized are at centre of papal gifts exchange

Pope Francis and leaders of the World Council of Churches (WCC) exchanged gifts at a simple open-air ceremony in the garden of the WCC’s Ecumenical Institute at Bossey near Geneva, during the pontiff’s one-day visit to Switzerland to celebrate the WCC’s 70th anniversary.

Christian faith guides career of South Korean academic and feminist Dr Sang Chang

When asked to talk about her story of faith, Rev. Dr Sang Chang doesn’t hesitate for a moment. The president of the Asia region of the World Council of Churches (WCC) is eager to tell how her faith has supported her career as a theologian, academic, advocate for women’s rights, and South Korea’s first female acting prime minister.

Young people play key role during papal visit

A young Samoan Methodist who had a role in the prayer service with Pope Francis during the pontiff’s visit to the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva says it is significant that young people were chosen to read prayers and messages.

Pope, WCC leaders share platform at ecumenical meeting

Pope Francis joined the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the moderator of its Central Committee at an ecumenical meeting during his landmark 21 June visit to the WCC to celebrate its 70th anniversary at an ecumenical meeting in Geneva.

Pope Francis gets WCC gift cross symbolizing disability, carved by Kenyan artist with a message

Losing his hearing and speaking ability as a young man has not deterred Kenyan Karim Okiki in his wood carving, and a symbolic sculpted cross he presented to Pope Francis on his visit to the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva represents people with disabilities everywhere.
“I would like this cross to speak to Pope Francis and the churches worldwide on the need to embrace persons with disabilities especially the deaf and hard of hearing as part of the church today,” said Okiki.

WCC invites all to celebrate 70-year anniversary

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee, which is meeting 15-21 June, invited its fellowship and all people around the world to celebrate 70 years since the creation of WCC.
“In our anniversary year, we affirm that we will continue to move together on a journey that has its beginning in the call of God to a pilgrim people and its end in the unity of the whole creation,” reads a message from the WCC Central Committee. “We have seen more clearly what unites us.”

Ecumenical Pilgrimage: Bishop Farrell looks forward to Pope Francis' visit to WCC

Bishop Brian Farrell has been a key figure on the ecumenical scene since his appointment as secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in 2002.
Over that time he has attended most of the major events in the life of the WCC, including the last assembly in South Korea and the recent Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in Tanzania.