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”From a place of brokenness to a place of healing and reconciliation” – the Global Christian Forum 25 years in

The Global Christian Forum, with its fourth global gathering underway in Ghana, is marking its 25^thanniversary at a time when the world is in dire need of justice, reconciliation, and unity.

19 April 2024

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and Camilo Gonzalez Posso met in Bogota, Colombia, on 15 December.

Colombia meetings underscore WCC’s vital role at peacemaking roundtable

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay met in Bogota, Colombia, with representatives of embassies of Switzerland, Norway, Germany, and the diplomatic service of the European Union for a conversation on the role of the international community in the peace process in the country.

16 December 2023

Colombia advisor to the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace shares insights on the importance of WCC’s accompaniment

In a discussion with World Council of Churches (WCC) staff, Mariela Kohon, advisor to the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace - an office that reports directly to the presidency of the Republic of Colombia - shared insights into the ongoing peace dialogues in Colombia and the important role of the WCC and faith leaders.

02 November 2023

Video interview: WCC “will be known by where it invests its moral and financial resources”

In a video interview with WCC news, Rev. Dr Liberato C. Bautista, assistant general secretary for United Nations and International Affairs, General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, reflects on the dynamics of the ecumenical movement between local and global realities and the role of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in international multilateral dialogue.

18 September 2023

Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (Brazil) to become Blue University

The Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in Brazil is looking at how to transform into a “Blue University.” Brother Rogério Renato Mateucci, rector, confirmed the university’s commitment to become part of the global Blue Community network.

28 August 2023

Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata: “Colombia is a deeply fragile but promising country”

Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia, led a delegation that visited Colombia on 8-11 August to express solidarity with the Colombian churches, government and people as they collaborate in the design, implementation, and advocacy for the construction of peace in the country. Below, he shares his impressions of the visit.

15 August 2023

WCC signs joint ecumenical statement on Sudan

The World Council of Churches was among ecumenical organizations based in Africa and international partners that signed a 24 June joint statement on Sudan.

29 June 2023

Members of the National Jewish-Christian Dialogue

National Jewish-Christian Dialogue meets in New York, continues consideration of reparations

The National Jewish-Christian Dialogue, co-sponsored by the National Council of Churches (USA) and the National Council of Synagogues, met 19-20 April in New York City. The dialogue continued its in-depth discussion of reparations and national healing, following previous remote sessions on the broad topic of reparations and specific efforts to consider reparations by the cities of Evanston, Illinois, and Providence, Rhode Island.

01 May 2023

In Chile, “Churches’ ministry of reconciliation is key”

Bishop Izani Bruch, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile, serves as the Evangelical chaplain of the Government House at the Palacio de La Moneda, in Santiago since April 2022. Below, she shares insights about the current situation of the country from the perspective of Christian responsibility.

29 November 2022

Rev. Dr Jeffrey Carter expresses sense of hope in “centre that seeks unity above all else”

Rev. Dr Jeffrey Carter, Church of the Brethren, is president of Bethany Theological Seminary. His reflections below were drawn from an interview after the confessional meeting with historic peace churches and the Moravians that occurred during the recent World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting. Carter is a member of the central committee.

21 June 2022

WCC general secretary-elect believes growing up in South Africa will help his approach to conflict and suffering

The general secretary-elect of the World Council of Churches (WCC) believes that growing up during a period of conflict and suffering in South Africa will stand him in good stead when he takes up his position as the head of the ecumenical body in January as a leader who believes in dialogue.

18 June 2022

Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith receives Figel Ecumenism Award

Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith received the Figel Ecumenism Award on 4 February, honoring her work toward unity in the ecumenical movement, particularly from the perspective of churches and ecclesial communities of Africa and African descent.

25 February 2022

Displaced people celebrate Mass in South Sudan

WCC expresses appreciation for peace-building efforts in South Sudan—but calls for better lives for the people

While the World Council of Churches (WCC) deeply appreciates peace-building efforts in South Sudan, the WCC is also calling attention to the dire circumstances in which the people of South Sudan are still forced to lead their daily lives.

23 February 2022

A woman prays in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Thousands of Christians march the Via Dolorosa on Good Friday, marking the stations of the cross in the Jerusalem Old City, in memory of the path Jesus walked carrying his cross towards his crucifixion.

How do churches address racism, really?

Although America’s Historic Black Churches were on the vanguard of racial change a generation ago, black church leaders today confront a more complex, variegated and frustrating situation.

15 February 2022

A young boy holds the palms of his hands together by his face in prayer. Other school children look on.

South Sudan ecumenical leader: Don’t give up on war-torn country

An ecumenical leader in South Sudan has appealed to the world not to give up on his country, which during the first decade of its independence has repeatedly slid backward into political and ethnic violence.

19 January 2022

WCC expresses grave concern over political situation in Sudan

The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed grave concern over the current state of emergency in Sudan. “Government officials, including ministers and civilian members of the Transitional Sovereign Council, have been arrested,” said WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca. “It has also been reported that at least seven people have been killed and some 140 others injured after soldiers opened fire on demonstrators.”

29 October 2021

A woman prepares food in a street restaurant in Seoul, South Korea.

In letter to President Biden, WCC appeals for reconsidering sanctions against North Korea

In a 1 September letter to President Joe Biden, World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca appealed for reconsideration on sanctions against North Korea.

02 September 2021

DiPaz urges stronger international call for Colombian government to advance peace

In a 13 July letter to the United Nations Security Council, the Diálogo Intereclesial por la Paz en Colombia (DiPaz), an interchurch platform for dialogue for peace in Colombia, called on the international community to urge the Colombian government to resume the full implementation of the peace agreement and strengthen channels of dialogue to resolve societal issues.

16 July 2021