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Meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican on 25 June, both the Lutheran World Federation president Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa and Pope Francis expressed the hope that the 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession in 2030 can become common ground on which to strengthen the commitment of Lutherans and Catholics to unity and reconciliation.

A communique—signed by more than 30 religious organizations, including the World Council of Churches—entitled “People of Faith are Allies to Generation Equality” lifts up the role of religious leaders in transforming gender norms, implementing programmes, reforming unjust laws and promoting gender justice.

How will the churches use the wide range of new opportunities in the post-pandemic context? How will they call to faith and trust as we move beyond the global health crisis to a time of renewal? These were the core questions that representatives of the European region addressed during a discussion that took place at the World Council of Churches central committee meeting, 23-29 June.

In a special message to World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee received on 27 June, H.B. John X, patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and all the East, affirmed “closeness in prayer, and in accompanying the work of the meeting through the communication with the devoted delegates of the Holy and Apostolic Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East.”

Across the globe, World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee members demonstrated their commitment to end sexual and gender-based violence by marking “Thursdays in Black” in their online regional meetings today. 

Zambia’s founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, passed away at the age of 97. He led his country for 27 years and championed Africa's struggles against apartheid and HIV.

World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca extended warmest congratulations to His Holiness Abune Kerlos I, Patriarch of Eritrea upon his election as the fifth Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church.

World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca extended warm congratulations to Rev. Anne Burghardt, who will serve as the new general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The election of Rev. Anne Burghardt marks  the first woman and the first Central and Eastern European pastor to head the LWF.

World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca shared greetings with the Council Meeting of the Lutheran World Federation.

The South Sudan Council of Churches is inviting churches to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, observed globally on 19 June. The council published a series of messages available for use in worship services over the weekend.

Pastor Allen Nafuki, assembly clerk of the Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu, passed away on 13 June. He had planned to be his church’s only delegate to the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022.

As the Protestant Church of Switzerland held a synod and installed its next executive president Rev. Rita Famos and a new member of the council Claudia Haslebacher at the Cathedral of Berne on 13 June, World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca offered an intercessory prayer as well as reflections on ecumenism.

The World Council of Churches (WCC), with an open letter and prayer, shared its hopes for peace on the eve of the first summit between the U.S. and Russian presidents, which will take place in Geneva on 16 June.

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) held a webinar on 4 June, “Justification and Justice: The Journey of the WCRC from Columbus to Notre Dame,” that explored the future of ecumenical dialogue.

As the Church of South India Synod released its new website, www.csi1947.com, on 31 May, the World Council of Churches (WCC) extended congratulations and prayers for meaningful storytelling, images and expressions of hope.

In a video message, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee Dr Agnes Abuom bid goodbye and expressed deep appreciation to Rev. Prof. Dr h.c. Cornelia Füllkrug-Weitzel, who is retiring as president of "Brot für die Welt" and "Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe" after leading the German charity for 20 years. Füllkrug-Weitzel is also a WCC Thursdays in Black ambassador.

The Christian Conference of Asia is organizing a two-week Institute on Human Rights, which began 17 May, offering participants from Asian countries an opportunity to explore the theme “Being Defenders of Human Rights and Human Dignity.”