Search results

As climate change induced floods terrorize communities in East Africa, clerics and officials here fear that nature was hitting back.

Floods have struck Kenya and Tanzania, leaving behind a trail of death, destruction, and displacement. Floods are most intense in some of the same areas previously struck by a lengthy drought described by the UN as the worst in four decades.

A 12 July statement from the South African Council of Churches notes with deep concern the violence and destruction of property that is engulfing the nation. “This violence is resulting in untold suffering,” the statement reads.

As South Africa grapples with a gender-based violence crisis, president Cyril Ramaphosa is convening, on 18 September, the entire parliament for a special session on how to create a society in which women feel not only safe, but enjoy human rights equal to men. With 52,420 sexual offences reported in the last financial year - and many unreported - hundreds of thousands of people in South Africa are publicly saying “#EnoughIsEnough.” Churches and faith communities are a vocal, visible part of this call for change. Will the momentum grow? Will we stand with the women of South Africa?

Sudáfrica se enfrenta a una crisis de violencia de género, por lo que el presidente Cyril Ramaphosa ha convocado, el 18 de septiembre, a todo el parlamento para una sesión especial sobre la manera de crear una sociedad donde las mujeres no solo se sientan seguras, sino que gocen de los mismos derechos humanos que los hombres. Con 52 420 delitos sexuales denunciados en el último ejercicio financiero, y muchos otros no denunciados, cientos de miles de sudafricanos están diciendo públicamente “#EnoughIsEnough” (Ya basta). Las iglesias y las comunidades religiosas son una parte con voz y visibilidad de este llamado al cambio. ¿Ganará impulso la causa? ¿Apoyaremos a las mujeres de Sudáfrica?

World Council of Churches (WCC) deputy general secretary Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri joined the 64th General Conference and 70th Anniversary of the Christian Council of Mozambique in June. The gathering convened under the theme "God of love, guide us in the path of Reconciliation, Unity in Diversity, Justice and Peace.”

Millions of churches, mosques, synagogues and temples around the world that embrace sustainability in their investments, buildings and teachings are a symbol of hope for the planet struggling with an ecological crisis, said Joyce Msuya, a Tanzanian microbiologist who is the deputy executive director for the Nairobi-based UN Environment.

Dr Cecile De Sweemer, who served as staff of the Christian Medical Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC) from 1982 to 1986, died on the 27 November in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). De Sweemer, a Belgian medical doctor with a doctorate in International Health from Johns Hopkins University, with extensive experience in Asia and Africa, was a dedicated and compassionate physician.

Bishop Dr Fredrick O. Shoo is presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). He is also author of a “Welcome” in the Handbook for the upcoming World Council of Churches Conference on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME). Here, Bishop Shoo is featured in an interview that comments on crucial issues in the conference that will require deliberations to lead toward a truly transforming discipleship. The upcoming CWME will occur in Arusha, Tanzania on 8-13 March.

Um widersprüchliche Erfahrungen mit der von ausländischen Investitionen abhängigen Entwicklung und sozioökonomischen Ungerechtigkeit besser zu verstehen, haben Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer des Ökumenischen Seminars für Leitung, Wirtschaft und Management im Dienst einer Ökonomie des Lebens (GEM School) am 22. August ein Bergwerk besucht.

To witness and attempt to understand contrasting narratives of foreign investment-linked development and socio-economic injustice, participants of the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management for an Economy of Life (GEM School) visited a mining company on 22 August.

Pour essayer de comprendre les récits contradictoires concernant le développement et les injustices socio-économiques liées aux investissements étrangers, les participants de l’École œcuménique de gouvernance, d’économie et de gestion pour une économie de la vie (GEM School) ont visité, le 22 aout, une société minière.

In einem an die wichtigsten Volkswirtschaften der Welt gerichteten Appell, der im Vorfeld ihres alljährlichen Gipfeltreffens veröffentlicht wurde, haben der Ökumenische Rat der Kirchen (ÖRK), das ACT-Bündnis und die Gesamtafrikanische Kirchenkonferenz die Führungsverantwortlichen der G20-Staaten dringend aufgefordert, Maßnahmen zur Überwindung des Hungers und zur Stärkung von Gerechtigkeit und Frieden am Horn von Afrika zu ergreifen.

A workshop in Mozambique examined the connections between finance on the one hand and food and land on the other. Titled “From the Financialization of Food to Life-giving Agriculture,” the workshop took place in Maputo from 7-11 December. It was organized by the WCC together with Bread for All and was hosted by the Christian Council of Mozambique.

Translate the hope provided by the Paris Agreement into real action to direct the world toward a more just and sustainable future, urged the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 17 November at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP22) in Marrakech, Morocco.

We have come a long way but have made little progress, stated Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, in his message to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), referring to 22 years of UN conventions as an unacceptably long period to respond to the environmental crisis.

Hemos recorrido un largo camino, pero hemos logrado pocos avances, según declaró Bartolomé I, patriarca ecuménico de Constantinopla, en su mensaje a la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (CMNUCC), calificando los veintidós años de convenciones de la ONU como un período inaceptablemente largo para responder a la crisis medioambiental.

Nous avons fait du chemin, mais peu de progrès, a déclaré Bartholomée Ier, patriarche œcuménique de Constantinople, dans son message adressé à la Convention-cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (CCNUCC), affirmant ainsi que 22 ans de conventions des Nations Unies représentaient une durée inacceptable pour répondre à la crise environnementale.

Joining efforts to explore how to move from dependency on fossil fuel to a sustainable future, faith representatives gathered at the Indonesian Pavilion at COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco on 8 November, for an event hosted by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry.