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The World Council of Churches (WCC) extended congratulations to Rev. Merlyn Hyde Riley, who has been appointed acting general secretary of Jamaica Baptist Union.

A 27 September webinar, part of the ongoing “Remembering Past Massacres” series, focused on Latin America, with speakers reflecting on the atrocities committed against indigenous populations in the name of Christianisation, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the ruthless military dictatorships in South America during the 1960s-80s, and the 1937 massacre of Haitians in the Dominican Republic.

Absorbing Philip Potter’s profoundly simple direction for the ecumenical movement—“only connect”—those gathered for an online tribute to the former World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary tapped into the still-growing legacy of a remarkable man.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has paid tribute to its former general secretary, Rev. Dr Philip Potter, who was born on 19 August 1921, and led the council from 1972 to 1984, a time of global religious and socio-political change.

Stephen Brown is editor of The Ecumenical Review. Below, he reflects on the legacy of Phillip Potter, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary from 1972 to 1984. An upcoming webinar on 23 August will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Potter’s birth, as well as introduce him to a new ecu-menical generation, that they may be inspired by his legacy, his passion, his commitment, his spirituality and his love for the Bible.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) wrapped up its 65th central committee meeting in Geneva on 29 June, its first online session with many of proceedings carried out via video conference, and the moderator Dr Agnes Abuom declaring “we have agreed, basically, on the programme for 11th Assembly.”

With 124 of 155 central committee members and presidents from around the world present, the WCC central committee convened to advance preparations for the 11th WCC Assembly, taking place in 2022 in Karlsruhe, Germany under the theme “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” The central committee also addressed membership matters and strengthened the WCC fellowship through prayer and sharing. 

During a virtual gathering, church leaders from the Caribbean shared a moment of prayer to prepare their discussions, which centered on the challenges facing  churches and communities. COVID-19, they shared, has exacerbated existing injustice for many people.

Across the globe, World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee members demonstrated their commitment to end sexual and gender-based violence by marking “Thursdays in Black” in their online regional meetings today.