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Ecumenical theology at chapel, classroom, and office: Odair Pedroso Mateus reflects on serving the WCC

Rev. Dr Odair Pedroso Mateus began to teach at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in 2004 and joined the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 2007. Most recently he served as WCC interim deputy general secretary and Faith and Order director. Below, he reflects on his fondest memories, accomplishments, and hopes.

08 February 2023

Statement of Solidarity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Statement of Solidarity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church by Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches

03 February 2023

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay: “I believe God calls us to serve God’s purpose in the world”

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, the new general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), reflects on the challenges 2023 may bring, how he will relate to WCC member churches, how he plans to include and inspire youth in the ecumenical movement, and what prophetic leadership means to him.

02 February 2023

"Spiritualizing" the COP15 "Kunming-Montreal" agreement: Religious leaders urgently need to unite and harmonize with interfaith actions for halting biodiversity loss

On the occasion of the upcoming World Interfaith Harmony Week 2023, which is observed annually from 1-7 February at the United Nations, my thought goes to the urgent call for biodiversity protection from the COP15 held in Montreal, from 7-19 December 2022.

02 February 2023

Lucas Andrianos

Calling for Christian Unity requires “both a prophetic and pastoral approach”

Rev. Dr Curtiss Paul DeYoung, co-chief executive officer of the Minnesota Council of Churches, helped convene the team of authors for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity materials. Below, he reflects on the challenges and hopes the team brought to the table as they composed the text.

18 January 2023

Statement of the WCC general secretary on bomb attack of the Pentecostal parish in Congo

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay denounced a bomb attack that killed 17 members of the parish of the 8th Community of Pentecostal Churches of Congo on 15 January.

17 January 2023

Statement of the WCC general secretary on continuing attacks on civilians in Ukraine

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay denounced continuing attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Russia’s ongoing illegal war against the people of Ukraine.

16 January 2023

Hope for the Korean Peninsula from the heat of war to coexistence with the warm breeze of peace

Statement of the National Council of Churches in Korea, 3 January 2023.

09 January 2023

Ecumenical movement

No more women living with HIV dying with cervical cancer

As we come closer to the 16 Days of Activism, which begins on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women), includes 1 December (International Day dedicated to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died), and runs through 10 December (International Human Rights Day), I write this open letter to policymakers, faith leaders, and all stakeholders interested in the lives of women and girls.

06 January 2023

Gracia Violeta Ross Quiroga

WCC statement on desecration of historic Protestant cemetery in Jerusalem

Statement by the World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay condemning the desecration of the historic Protestant cemetery on Mount Zion.

04 January 2023

Dr Agnes Abuom reflects on her path out of the WCC—and into bridge-building for the Anglican communion

Dr Agnes Abuom, immediate past moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee, took time to reflect on the deep meaning of her WCC leadership role, and to share Christmas greetings with the fellowship as she moves on to serve as a lay canon with the Anglican communion in Kenya.

30 December 2022

The state of the world and what we can do about it

Permacrisis—defined as "an extended period of instability and insecurity”—has been chosen as Collins Dictionary's word for the year 2022. It is a depressingly accurate word encapsulating what the world is experiencing as we move into 2023.

22 December 2022

Manoj Kurian

Pandemic and pedagogy: what are the valuable lessons?

Rev. Prof. Dr Benjamin Simon, World Council of Churches programme executive for Ecumenical Theological Education, offered reflections after a December hybrid conference entitled “Theological Education: Pandemic and Pedagogy,” held at the Trinity Theological Seminary in Accra, Ghana. The conference was co-organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC), World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, and Evangelische Mission Weltweit. The conference drew more than 80 participants from all over the world.

21 December 2022

WCC moderator speaks on WCC journey amid difficult budget decisions

World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, reflecting on the WCC’s important journey amid difficult budget decisions, shares how the ecumenical movement is needed now more than ever to bring hope to the world.

20 December 2022

Women suffering from fistula need urgent help

Rose Mantey qualified as a state registered nurse in Ghana in 1996, and completed training in midwifery in 2002. In 2005 she started working in a maternal and child health community clinic, attached to the Mercy Women’s Catholic Hospital in Mankessin, Ghana.

09 December 2022

Mwai Makoka

Communique from the 10th Dialogue between WCC and CID

In this divided and troubled world, WCC (World Council of Churches) and CID (Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue) were able to meet for the 10^th Dialogue at The Ecumenical Institute Bossey, Switzerland.

09 December 2022

WCC Programmes

Photo essay

Palestine-2022-Hillert-20221123_AH1_7082

As Bethlehem prepares for Christmas, ‘it’s all about community’

As Christians around the world look to the Advent season, preparations are in full swing in the place where it all started, Bethlehem, to celebrate that one story that lies at the heart of all Christian traditions.

08 December 2022

WCC Christmas Message 2022

Christmas Message of the World Council of Churches, December 2022

06 December 2022