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Churches condemn violence against Christians in Sudan

As church leaders and organizations rally against Christian persecution in Sudan, a bishop has become the latest victim of the violence, in the country where war has destroyed church missions, schools, hospitals, and Christian villages.

An encouraging encounter

I had the privilege of being part of a delegation from the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht welcoming a delegation from the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church to celebrate the Thiruvalla Agreement declaring our church communion reached in February 2024 after both churches had received the results of eight years of dialogue.

Seine Seligkeit Anastasios veröffentlicht Botschaft über Resilienz und Mut

Seine Seligkeit Anastasios, Erzbischof von Tirana, Durrës und ganz Albanien, hat zwischen dem orthodoxen Oster- und dem orthodoxen Pfingstfest eine Botschaft an die weltweite Gemeinschaft von Kirchen im Ökumenischen Rat der Kirchen (ÖRK). In der heutigen Welt, so seine Botschaft, sei „die Berufung auf den Namen Christi für politische Zwecke und die Unterdrückung von einzelnen Menschen und ganzen Völkern nicht hinnehmbar“.

Anastasios, der Ehrenmitglied der Akademie von Athen und ehemaliger ÖRK-Präsident mit mehr als sechzig Jahren Erfahrung in der ökumenischen Bewegung ist, ist in interreligiösen und internationalen Kreisen bekannt für sein Engagement für Frieden und seine Weisheit und Weitsicht.

Sa Béatitude l’archevêque Anastasios partage un message de résilience et de courage

À mi-chemin entre Pâques et la Pentecôte orthodoxes, Sa Béatitude Anastasios, archevêque de Tirana, de Durrës et de toute l’Albanie, adresse un message à la communauté fraternelle du Conseil œcuménique des Églises (COE). Il y fait remarquer que, dans le monde d’aujourd’hui, «le nom du Christ n’a pas sa place dans des projets fondés sur l’opportunisme politique ou visant l’oppression des personnes et des peuples».

Membre honoraire de l’Académie d’Athènes, ancien président du COE et membre actif du mouvement œcuménique depuis plus de soixante ans, l’archevêque Anastasios est connu comme un héraut de la paix et de la sagesse dans les cercles interreligieux et internationaux.

His Beatitude Anastasios shares message of resilience and courage

His Beatitude Anastasios, archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, shares a message for the World Council of Churches (WCC) global fellowship, between the Orthodox Easter and Pentecost. In todays world, the message notes: The invoking of Christs name has no place in plans of political expediency and oppression of individuals and peoples.”

Anastasios, an honorary member of the Academy of Athens and a former WCC president, with more than six decades in the ecumenical movement, is known as a herald of peace and wisdom in inter-religious and international circles. 

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 3: "Celebrating Jesus’ life in water through the lens of justice”

The third reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Very Rev. Dr Augustinos Bairactaris. In this reflection, he underscores that the water justice issue is a theological task for all, and that the health of the water is vital to human civilization, and for the stability of the worlds climate and biodiversity. He urges all Christians to pray, fast, and act together for a sustainable environment and planet, especially during Lent.

Moderator`s address - Faith and Order commission meeting, Indonesia, February 2024

I am pleased to offer a word of welcome at this historic moment, the gathering of the new Faith and Order Commission here in North Sulawesi in Indonesia. As far as I know, this is the first time our Commission is meeting in Indonesia. We are thankful for the opportunity to gather here, and immensely grateful for the hospitality the local church is offering to us.

Commission on Faith and Order

Director’s address, Faith and Order Meeting, 27 November 2023

It is often said that “Bad news travels fast.” Indeed, it is hard not to be focused on the difficulties and harsh challenges we are facing in today’s world. In a digital village that we live in, where every piece of news is spread quickly, the worst news takes center stage. “We live in a time of profound crisis”, “The world is as disunited as ever”, “Society is polarized!” are just some of the everyday remarks describing the present condition. 

Commission on Faith and Order

Common greetings by WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and moderator Bishop Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm at the LWF Assembly

In a joint greeting to the Lutheran World Federation Assembly, gathered in Krakow, Poland from 13-19 September, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Pillay and WCC moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm reflected on the assemblys theme, One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.”

Moderator of Central Committee

Historically important, ecumenism takes on new life in Germany

As the World Council of Churches celebrates its 75th anniversary, a series of feature stories from different regions of the world will portray ecumenism at the local level—within churches, communities, and individuals who embody the spirit of ecumenism in unique ways. The feature story below offers a glimpse of some facets of ecumenism present in Germany.

"Legend of Our Times," Sylvia Ross Talbot, dies at 89

The life and ministry of Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot, a church leader whose ecumenical dedication included service as the WCC’s vice-moderator in the 1980s and president of Church Women United, was celebrated last weekend in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

She died 15 May at the age of 89.