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As Christians we confess that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it” (Ps 24). We acknowledge our responsibility as stewards and caretakers of God’s unique and abundant Creation of which we human beings are part. And yet we look around our world today, and see that due to our greed and negligence the entire living planet is threatened by accelerating climate change. “The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers…”, “The earth is defiled by its people…” (Isaiah 24:4-5).

‘Behold I create new heavens in which life, justice and peace are possible for all’.

(Isaiah  65:17-25)

Indigenous Peoples are created with God-given identities that are beautiful.  God was present in their lands and among their peoples before colonizers arrived. When Christians brought the Bible, Indigenous People recognized the voice of their Creator in Jesus’ teachings. They did not hear a call to reject their identities.

Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness (Genesis 1:26)

The World Council of Churches, at its 11th assembly, in Karlsruhe, Germany, abhors the perpetuation of all forms of racism, xenophobia and related discriminations against humanity and the pervasive suffering it causes. 

"War in Ukraine, Peace and Justice in the European Region", statement by the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany

"Seeking Justice and Peace for All in the Middle East", statement of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany

"The Living Planet: Seeking a Just and Sustainable Global Community", Statement by the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany

Unity Statement approved by the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany.

"The Things That Make For Peace: Moving the World to Reconciliation and Unity", Statement of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany

Statement on Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment by the WCC Central Committee meeting 15-18 June 2022.

Statement on the Imperative for Effective Response to the Climate Emergency by the WCC Central Committee meeting, 15-18 June 2022.

 

Statement on Threats to a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine, and to the Christian Presence in the Holy Land by the WCC Central Committee meeting, 15-18 June 2022

Statement on the War in Ukraine by the WCC Central Committee meeting, 15 - 18 June 2022.

Statement by the WCC Central Committee meeting 15-18 June 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Statement of the World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca regarding the recent attack on a church community during a Sunday morning mass at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

During its current meeting (30 May-2 June 2022 online) the executive committee of the World Council of Churches was deeply disturbed by the kidnapping on 29 May of Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria – along with the Methodist Bishop of Owerri Diocese Rt. Rev. Dennis Okechukwu Mark, and the Chaplain to the Prelate, Very Rev. Jeremiah Abidemi Shittu – and was greatly relieved by the news of their safe release on 31 May.

The conflict in Ukraine continues to cause a terrible toll of death, destruction, displacement and misery for the Ukrainian people, with thousands of civilians reported to have been killed, and more than 14 million people – well over a quarter of the entire population – forced to flee from their homes. In addition, the impacts of this war are being felt far beyond the borders of Ukraine or the European region, producing a downward spiral effect on a global economy already battered by COVID-19 and the climate crisis. Prices of food, fertiliser and energy have risen rapidly in many parts of the world, given the important roles played by Russia and Ukraine in these markets.

On Thursday 14 April 2022, the United Kingdom and Rwanda announced a new Migration and Economic Development Partnership. Through this partnership, asylum-seekers who are already on UK soil can be transferred to Rwanda, where their asylum claims will be processed. Though UK government officials claim that the agreement “fully complies with all national and international law, including the UN Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights”, many reputable human rights organizations as well as senior church leaders in the UK have criticized it.

The executive committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting online on 30 May-2 June 2022, welcomes the ecumenical solidarity visit to Sudan on 20-25 April 2022 undertaken jointly by the WCC, the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) and the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA). Though this visit was planned already in early 2020 in light of the political upheavals and transitions of 2019, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the meantime, in October 2021, a military coup displaced again the civilian governmental leadership, in a development which this executive committee described as a betrayal of the revolution of 2019 and of the country's own Constitutional Document and other foundational documents of the transition.

The WCC has supported the State of Israel since its inception in 1948. The council has consistently called for an end to violence, repudiation of all forms of anti-semitism, an end to the illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict there.