Search results

Deeply alarmed by the recent escalation of conflict in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s ongoing invasion of the country, all members of the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, meeting in Bogota, Colombia on 6-11 June 2024, join in reaffirming the declaration of the WCC’s first Assembly in 1948 that “War is contrary to the will of God”. 

Life on Earth and the systems needed for life to flourish are at extreme risk. The intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss pose the gravest threats to the ability of humans and much of the natural world to survive and flourish on Earth, God’s unique living creation.  

It has been more than a year since large-scale fighting broke out between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict between two former allies in the 2021 military coup that toppled the previous transitional government has almost destroyed a country whose people had already suffered through many years of protracted and multidimensional crises.

The executive committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, on 6 to 11 June 2024, lifts up the suffering of the civilian population of Gaza in the midst of the ongoing attacks in the territory, with a death toll now surpassing 36,000 people, over two-thirds of them children and women, more than 83% of the population displaced (in most cases repeatedly), the complete destruction of medical, educational, and other civilian infrastructure, with more than 50% of homes destroyed, leaving over one million people homeless. 

The executive committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) expresses its deep appreciation to the churches, to the people, and to the government of Colombia for the opportunity to meet in Bogotá on 6 to 11 June 2024, at this pivotal moment in the search for just and sustainable peace in Colombia. 

Report of the WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay at the WCC executive committee meeting convening in Bogota, Colombia, from 6-11 June 2024.

Address of the WCC moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm at the WCC executive committee meeting convening in Bogota, Colombia, from 6-11 June 2024.

As the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee met in Abuja, Nigeria, on 8-14 November, the governing body published a statement that included deep appreciation of Nigeria’s “astonishing diversity of cultures, languages, and religions”—as well as appeals to the Nigerian government to address economic injustice and other grave challenges facing the nation.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, from 8-14 November, released a statement on COP28’s responsibility for climate justice. 

The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, on 8-14 November, released a statement that demands an immediate ceasefire, and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Palestine and Israel. 

Armenian people and churches urgently need “a generous international response to the humanitarian needs of the refugees who fled from Nagorno-Karabakh, especially vulnerable women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, and those without any other means of support,” the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee stated during its meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. 

Report of the WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay at the WCC executive committee meeting convening in Abuja, Nigeria, from 8-14 November 2023.

Address of the WCC moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm at the WCC executive committee meeting convening in Abuja, Nigeria, from 8-14 November.

Statement on the Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan by the Executive committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting via video conference on 22-26 May 2023.

 

Statement on the Worsening Global Food Crisis by the Executive committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting via video conference on 22-26 May 2023.

Report of the World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay at the WCC executive committee meeting, May 2023.

Address of bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee at the WCC executive committee meeting on 22 May 2023. 

The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love (Psalm 33:5)

New technologies are transforming our world and the multiple spaces in which we live, work and witness. These technologies offer us new ways to create, to heal, to communicate, and to navigate the world. However, many such technologies, while undoubtedly offering actual or potential advances in human wellbeing, have also raised concerns regarding their social and environmental impacts and ethical implications, especially in light of the rapidity of their development and application.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

When approaching the issue of health and wellbeing, we as Christians and churches affirm that the giver and sustainer of life is our Lord Jesus Christ, the healer of our bodies and souls, the one who heals our diseases, who redeems our life from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion (Ps. 103:3-4).