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Christian self-understanding in the context of indigenous religions

Between 6 -9 February 2012 a consultation exploring ‘Christian self understanding in the context of indigenous religions’ was convened at the Evangelical High School of Theological Studies (ISEDET), Buenos Aires, Argentina. The consultation was organised by the World Council of Churches’ Programme for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, working in partnership with CLAI (the Latin American Council of Churches), and with valued assistance from FAIE (the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches in Argentina) and the Anglican Diocese of Argentina. The consultation was one of a series that the WCC has organised in recent years, exploring Christian self understanding in the context of a specific other religion or religious tradition.

WCC Programmes

African churches address peace and security issues

A World Council of Churches (WCC) consultation in Kigali discussed peace and security issues in Africa, with more than ninety church and ecumenical leaders. Together, they also reflected on Rwandan experiences of ethnic violence, genocide and church initiatives of reconciliation in the past.

Letter to the president of Nigeria

We are deeply saddened by the continuing violence and social upheaval in Nigeria and pray that peace with justice will come soon for the Nigerian people. We continue to mourn the loss of life particularly among those who were killed in brutal attacks this past weekend in Kano and the attacks on and deaths of Christian worshipers celebrating the mass service of Christmas in Abuja only a month ago.

General Secretary

Seeking government partnership for water justice

Rev. Canon Dr Ezekiel Olusegun Babatunde, a theologian from Immanuel College of Theology and director of the Institute of Church and Society of the Christian Council of Nigeria speaks about the attempts to provide clean and safe drinking water to communities seeking partnership with the government in Nigeria.

Mobilizing youth and women to reduce HIV

Thirteen West African countries. Thousands of youth and women. The numbers are daunting. But Ayoko Bahun-Wilson, West Africa regional coordinator of the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA), is determined to help West African youth become conscious, committed and prepared to fight to reduce the rate of HIV infections.

WCC offers condolences to UN, condemns bombing in Nigeria

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), has extended his sympathy to United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon following the 26 August bombing of UN offices in Abuja, Nigeria. The suicide car-bombing is reported by the Reuters news agency to have left at least 23 persons dead and dozens wounded.

Lenten campaign focuses on water and just peace

“Water and Just Peace” will be the theme of this year's Lenten reflections provided by the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN). Starting on Monday 7 March the weekly reflections will explore the connection between access to water, struggles over this precious resource and building just peace.

Seven Weeks for Water 2011, week 2: "Transforming the bitter waters of Marah", by Rev. Canon Dr Ezekiel Babatunde

Since primordial times, people have struggled for basic natural resources, including water which is such a crucial element of life. We find examples of this struggle throughout the Bible. For instance, the biblical story in Exodus 15:22-27 tells how the Israelites searched for clean water to be able to survive after crossing the Red Sea into the wilderness. They arrive at a place called Marah – Hebrew for “bitterness” – where they find water but discover that it is not fit for drinking. 

WCC Programmes

United Nations Advocacy Week 2010 Prayers

The Sixth United Nations Advocacy Week focused on the Palestine - Israel conflict and the situation in Nigeria. The meetings started every day with prayer in the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre, focusing on the Beatitudes (Mathews 5: 1-11) in connection with the themes of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC).

WCC Programmes

Nigerian and Palestinian keynote speakers provide a focus for UN Advocacy Week

“We hope to learn from the lessons of history,” Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Nigeria told activists gathering for the sixth annual United Nations Advocacy Week (27 September to 1 October) organized by the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches (WCC). For the first time, UN Advocacy Week is being held in Geneva rather than New York City, in conjunction with the 15 th session of the UN Human Rights Council in the Swiss city.

Prayers for peace in Africa echo around the world

 “We pray for Africa, especially for Somalia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo where violence and suffering are a tragic reality,” was the prayer from Nairobi at an International Day of Prayer for Peace event sponsored by the All-Africa Conference of Churches.