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Love, Justice, and Reproductive Health

A Framework for Churches
Alexa Dava

Christ’s call to love our neighbours as ourselves includes ensuring that all have access to the resources needed to live and flourish. And yet, societal barriers to reproductive health prevent many individuals from accessing necessary care. Love, Justice and Reproductive Health: A Framework for Churches invites churches to consider reproductive health from a perspective rooted in Christ’s love. It introduces key areas and addresses prevalent disparities within reproductive health outcomes. The framework encourages churches to act on this issue, providing programmatic suggestions for them to embody Christ’s love and justice within their own contexts.

Please send comments and questions to [email protected]
The author, Rev Alexa Dava is ordained with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and serves as project officer for Human Dignity and Reproductive Health at the WCC.

"Ecological repentance is the path to justice," says Metropolitan Serafim at COP29

At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim Kykotis of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, a longstanding participant in COPs as part of the World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation, highlighted the critical role of faith in addressing the climate crisis. He underscored the need for ecological repentance and the pivotal role of youth leadership in advancing climate justice.

WCC shares insights on Nicaea with Partners in Global Mission

World Council of Churches (WCC) programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba shared a presentation on the Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, and its 1700th anniversary to be commemorated in 2025, with Partners in Global Mission (Anglican Communion). 

United and Uniting Churches: Two Messages

Faith and Order Papers, Series 2, n. 225

Taken together, these two messages from international consultations, sponsored by the World Council of Churches, provide a valuable entry point for reflection on the self-understanding and mission of United and Uniting Churches in today’s world.
I. Going the Second Mile: A message of the 8th Consultation of United and Uniting Churches. Johannesburg, 29 October–5 November 2008
II. Living in Tents: A Message of the 9th Consultation of United and Uniting Churches. Chennai, 25 November–2 December 2015.
Two appendices provide documentary information about Faith and Order publications concerning United and Uniting Churches.

TUMEWEZA

Compendium of Good Practices for Ensuring Disability-Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender-Based Violence Services in United Republic of Tanzania

The Tumeweza compendium iss a vital resource for ensuring disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) services in the United Republic of Tanzania. It highlights the significant strides made towards improving accessibility and inclusivity in healthcare services, particularly through the efforts at Selian Lutheran Hospital and Nkinga Referral Hospital. The lessons learned from these initiatives provide a roadmap for other health facilities to follow, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities, government stakeholders, and faith-based organizations.
While the progress is commendable, there are still gaps that need to be addressed to fully realize inclusive healthcare services for women and girls with disabilities. These include improving infrastructure, enhancing communication between healthcare providers and patients with disabilities, and creating specific policies and procedures that ensure the dignity and autonomy of all individuals. The compendium underscores the necessity of continuous training, accessible information systems, and advocacy at all levels to ensure that no one is left behind.
Moving forward, it is essential for health facilities, policymakers, and development partners to prioritize the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all healthcare-related initiatives. By addressing the existing gaps and building on the good practices outlined in this compendium, Tanzania can continue to lead in the promotion of disability-inclusive SRHR and GBV services in the region and globally, ensuring that every woman and girl has the right to safe, accessible, and respectful healthcare.

Executive committee forms source of hope for WCC leader

The meeting of our World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee began at the Diocesan Center of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus in Paralimni. In my report as moderator, I spoke about sources of hope in a world that sometimes seems to give so little cause for hope. And I spoke about how we, as the World Council of Churches, can fulfill the prophetic mission of the church in the face of this world situation.

In Fiji, churches help people cope with rising sea levels

Rev. Dr Semisi Turagavou, president of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, attended the recent World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting. He reflected on the unique needs in Fiji, as well as other Pacific islands, and spoke of the inspiration he drew from meeting with the WCC governing body.

Expressing trauma through art: Yazidi women share stories

In connection with the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Church of Norway, Norwegian Church Aid, Stefanus Alliance, and The Norwegian Council on Religions and Life Stance Communities organized an exhibit and seminar through which Yazidi women expressed their trauma though art therapy and storytelling. 

View a webinar to explore theology and AI

A video is now available of a webinar, Theology and Artificial Intelligence: Systematic and Denominational Perspectives,” co-organized by the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches (WCC), that analyzed challenges posed by generative AI and trans-humanism for theological aspects such as the personhood and the image of God, the meaning of the Incarnation, and the Trinity.