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The Reference Group of the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace meeting in Suva, Fiji

Rev. James Bhagwan: “We hope to bring our Pacific ‘canoe’ to Karlsruhe in 2022”

Pacific member churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) will engage in a 12-month period of preparation for the 11th Assembly. Rev. James Bhagwan, general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, gave some brief insights to the plans and preparations the Pacific region has leading up to the assembly.

06 July 2021

In Asia, COVID-19 “is a spotlight exposing fault lines” of injustice

“With each wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, communities have been experiencing collective trauma that has further deepened the injustices, including racism and economic inequity,” said Rev. Dr Sang Chang, World Council of Churches (WCC) president for Asia, during an online consultation, organised by the WCC and the Christian Conference of Asia on 4 June.

09 June 2021

Singing the Lord's Song in Strange Lands and Times - A Just Pacific in the Time of COVID-19

05 June 2021

Pacific regional webinar on the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overcoming challenges of inequality in Asia: Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace in the context of COVID-19

04 June 2021

Asian regional webinar on the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, organised by World Council of Churches and Christian Conference of Asia

Publication

Because God Loves Me - Affirming My Value in Christ

“Because God Loves Me—Affirming My Value in Christ,” a new curriculum written in French that is designed to help children ages 7-12 address gender-based violence.

Though the curriculum, edited by Yvette A. Kelem and Blandine E. Ackla, was developed for use primarily with churches and church groups in Africa, it is relevant and accessible for other French-speaking populations as well.

The Christian education programme encourages the full involvement of children, adolescents and youth in becoming early proponents of nonviolence. Developed for children's Bible study leaders, teachers, parish volunteers, and others who work with children, the curriculum serves as a guide to help churches live into their responsibility to protect all children, girls and women from gender-based violence.

20 May 2021

Prayer

God of Life, God of Jesus of Nazareth, Your son has taught me that we women are your daughters, subjects of your love. But in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that plagues humanity, I hear sad news from Colombia. Women are victims of violence within their homes. More than 37 women were murdered by their partners between January and February 2021. In the middle of the pandemic, an indigenous girl was raped and killed by soldiers...

Prayer by the WCC president for the Caribbean/ Latin America

Rev. Gloria N. Ulloa Alvarado

05 May 2021

In Africa, “resilience of God’s people amidst adversity continues to amaze us”

During a regional consultation on 27 April focused on how churches in Africa are living out their commitment to a Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace in the context of COVID-19, World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator, Dr Agnes Abuom, reflected that Africa is experiencing a number of socio-economic and spiritual challenges and opportunities.

27 April 2021

a flyer promoting a WCC webinar focusing on Africa

Impact of COVID-19 on the Mission of Justice and Peace in Africa

27 April 2021

A World Council of Churches and All Africa Conference of Churches Africa regional consultation on the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Rev. Canon Dr Emily Awino Onyango accepts new Anglican leadership role

Rev. Canon Dr Emily Awino Onyango, a Kenyan woman theologian, was consecrated on 27 March as the assistant bishop of the Bondo Anglican Diocese, making her the first woman to hold such a post in the church in east-central Africa.

30 March 2021

Rev. Romi Bencke, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Brazil

In Brazil, Rev. Romi Bencke is not afraid to ask: “What are the walls that divide us?”

Rev. Romi Bencke, general secretary of the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil, believes that being an ecumenical leader means having the courage to ask the most difficult questions even in a polarized society.

09 March 2021

Dr Agnes Abuom: “We pray that churches will recommit to the search for visible unity”

WCC News met online with Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee, and she offers reflections on the impact of COVID-19, what gives her hope, and the future of the ecumenical movement.

17 December 2020

With children more vulnerable to violence than ever, WCC moderator reflects on the vital role of churches

In an ongoing call to churches across the globe to work together to prevent gender-based violence, particularly against women, children and young people, World Council of Churches moderator Dr Agnes Abuom reflects below on some of the reasons such violence has increased, and the vital role churches can play in creating safe spaces for those most at risk.

26 November 2020

16 Days against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

25 November - 10 December 2023

The 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Worldwide

Publication

Healing Together

A Facilitator’s Resource for Ecumenical Faith and Community-Based Counselling

Fulata Lusungu Moyo

Up to 80 percent of Africans are estimated to be traumatized as a result of violence, poverty, disease, natural disasters, and other causes. As a continent where the majority of the population are young people, Africa’s adolescent population is particularly affected. Along with common causes of trauma, youth also experience many other struggles related to growing up. But this trauma often goes unaddressed, not only because sexual and gender-based violence become normalized, but also because of the lack of specific services and awareness.

This book addresses this lack. It is an important gift to enhance the role of churches to provide wholeness.

15 October 2020

Gender equality theology workshop in Fiji, Photo: Mereani Elizabeth

In Fiji, mindset is changing amid work to prevent violence against women

Thursdays in Black grew out of women’s movements of resilience and resistance to injustice, abuse and violence. In the Pacific region, which has some of the highest recorded rates of violence against women, churches are leading conversations to change attitudes and actions. Domestic violence is prevalent throughout Fiji. According to UN Women’s Global Database on Violence against Women, almost 2 out of 3 women aged 18-64 in Fiji have experienced physical or sexual violence from their intimate partner – almost twice the global average.

06 August 2020

WCC support team online and ready to help during pandemic

A WCC support team is online and ready to help WCC member churches as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. The team—comprised of experts in different facets of faith-related pandemic response—is here for you, said WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca. “These are people who can serve as a tremendous support to the WCC fellowship,” said Sauca.

24 April 2020

Protecting children is urgent during COVID-19 pandemic

A joint statement signed by the board of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children is calling for urgent protection of children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

09 April 2020

Faces of help: WCC offers resource people to accompany during COVID-19 pandemic

The WCC is offering member churches some resources with a human face during the COVID-19 pandemic. A team of eight resource people has been made available to consult on how churches can discern their roles during the coronavirus pandemic, how they can adapt as faith communities, and how they can connect and share with each other.

26 March 2020