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WCC accompaniers return to the Holy Land to witness life under occupation

Six ecumenical accompaniers have returned to Palestine and Israel, resuming in-person operations for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. Ecumenical accompaniers, who were evacuated beginning of October 2023, had been continuing their support and accompaniment online. 

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

Dear Commissioners, 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Dear colleagues

I am glad that we have the opportunity to gather online today. Thanks to each and everyone who invests time and efforts to attend, especially those of you who are attending at very inconvenient hours, late night, or very early morning.

Thanks to the staff for preparing the agenda so well and keeping us all well informed and prepared for our meetings. We all know about the limitations off gathering online. I am therefore very glad that we hopefully will meet in real life in February, in Indonesia.

Commission on Faith and Order

Violence against Palestinians is rising in the West Bank

Despite the war, security concerns, and travel restrictions, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel and the WCC Jerusalem Office continue to operate. Ecumenical accompaniers have observed increasing violence against Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7. 

Ecumenical accompanier: “many Palestinians simply want to live a peaceful life”

Siad Ní Bhroin, from the EAPPI UK and Ireland team, served as an ecumenical accompanier in Bethlehem from 31 August to 7 October. The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompanies the local people and communities, offering a protective presence and witnessing daily struggles and hopes. Below, a reflection on what she witnessed while in the field.

Blending local and global ecumenism in Asia

After being postponed twice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 15th General Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) finally got underway in late September and early October 2023 in Kottayam, India. Under the theme "God, renew us in your spirit and restore the creation,” CCA member churches across Asia gathered to stake out the direction forward and evaluate accomplishments and challenges since the last assembly in 2015 in Jakarta. 

„Die Menschen wollen ohne Angst und ständige Übergriffe leben“

Máire Ní Mheibhric aus Galway, Irland, war vom 31. August bis zum 7. Oktober als ökumenische Begleitperson in dem Dorf Tubas im Westjordanland im Einsatz. Bereits 2019 war sie in Hebron als ökumenische Begleiterin tätig. Das ökumenische Begleitprogramm in Palästina und Israel des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen (ÖRK) wurde nach einem Appell örtlicher Kirchenleitender ins Leben gerufen, die sich für eine internationale Präsenz im Land eingesetzt haben. Die Begleitpersonen unterstützen die lokale Bevölkerung und die Gemeinschaften, übernehmen durch ihre Präsenz eine Schutzfunktion und werden unmittelbar Zeuge der täglichen Kämpfe und Hoffnungen der dort lebenden Menschen. Ní Mheibhric beschreibt hier, was sie während ihres Einsatzes erlebt hat.