Displaying 81 - 100 of 173

Churches support justice movements in economy and ecology

Church representatives at a recent Oikotree Global Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa stressed the need to support peoples'€™ movements promoting justice in the economy and ecology, a concern, they say, that lies at the heart of the faith.

Theologians and activists reflect on WCC assembly theme

"Churches cannot challenge injustice if they cannot recognize its entrenched presence within the church itself,"€ reads a document by a working group of the World Council of Churches (WCC) programme on Just and Inclusive Communities.

Indigenous theologians reflect on life, justice and peace in Taiwan

"€œIndigenous Peoples, in spite of their debilitating experiences of discrimination, displacement and disempowerment, have sustainable alternatives to many of the world’s problems,"€ said Dr Pusin Tali. These alternatives, he said, are "€œdrawn from their rich traditions of wisdom, based on their deep interactive engagement with the earth."

WCC adopts statements on contemporary public issues

South Africa, Australia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Pakistan, Syria and Myanmar have provided the subjects for statements and minutes of concern voiced by the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) as part of public issues actions during a recent meeting of that governing body at the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolympari, Greece.

French Polynesia should be decolonized, says WCC

The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) issued a public statement on 4 September calling for re-inscription of the French Polynesia (Maohi Nui) on the list of countries to be decolonized.

WCC mourns the death of indigenous theologian Maria Chavez

Renowned biblical scholar and consultant for the Indigenous Peoples programme at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Maria Chavez Quispe passed away on 24 July in Liestal, Switzerland. Coming from the Methodist Church of Bolivia, Chavez was a committed advocate for inclusive communities. She fought a long battle with cancer.

WCC general secretary calls for justice and peace in Tanah Papua

"We support the struggle for human rights of the people of Papua. We urge an end to the ongoing violence and impunity. We support the call for social and economic justice through serious dialogue and a concrete political process that seeks to address root causes of the present problems," said Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Marginalized people must be focus of service, urges WCC conference

"€œDiakonia is an essential ecclesial function. It must be prophetic and transformative. It cannot be opted only in convenient forms,"€ asserted participants of a World Council of Churches (WCC) conference, reflecting on "€œTheology of Diakonia for the 21st Century"€. The event took place from 2 to 6 June in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

"Transformative spirituality is a breath of fire"

Transformative spiritualities and mission is a significant point of discussion at the pre-assembly event of the WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) which is currently under way in Manila. Transformative spiritualities are also one of the constituent themes of the CWME statement on mission and evangelism that will be presented to the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Korea in 2013. Dr Rico Palaca Ponce, academic director of the Institute of Spirituality in Asia based in Quezon City, the Philippines, gave an interview on the topic on 23 March.

CWME invokes new understanding of mission and evangelism

Since 1982 there has been only one official statement of the World Council of Churches (WCC) on mission and evangelism. Now in 2012 the WCC's Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) is preparing another statement to invoke new understanding of mission and evangelism amidst changing world and ecclesial scenarios.

WCC disowns doctrine used against Indigenous Peoples

In a recent meeting, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee denounced the “ Doctrine of Discovery ”, which has been used to subjugate and colonize Indigenous Peoples. The Executive Committee issued a statement calling the nature of the doctrine" fundamentally opposed to the gospel of Jesus”. Â

WCC expresses concern over human right violations in Tanah Papua

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee recently issued a statement expressing concern over the escalation of violence in Tanah Papua, Indonesia. They urged the Indonesian authorities to stop the killings of civilians at the hands of armed forces and protect the rights of Papuan people.

Churches will tackle migration issues in Beirut

Around 214 million people in the world are on the move, seeking livelihood and security outside their home countries. To address this global phenomenon of multi-directional migration, and respond to the political, economic, ethical and ecclesiological challenges it poses, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is organizing a regional conference in Lebanon from 5-7 December.

North American Christians call for a focus on poverty, wealth and ecology

Calgary, Alberta, Canada was the site of a consultation on poverty, wealth and ecology that has issued a series of calls to action and reflection in a time of global financial crisis, environmental threat, and resistance to the ways of Wall Street and its allied economic structures. Representatives of North American churches urged their ecumenical and interfaith partners