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The World Council of Churches (WCC) is condemning an attack on one of the buildings within the compound of the St Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza. The building—affiliated with the church, which is one the oldest churches in Gaza—has collapsed in the explosion, caused by Israeli missile strikes, according to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate.

The World Council of Churches (WCC), in consultation with heads of churches and representatives of Palestinian Christian organizations within the Jerusalem Liaison Office Advisory Group, is making an urgent call for an international investigation led by the United Nations into the numerous war crimes committed against civilians during the ongoing conflict. 

A World Council of Churches (WCC) morning staff prayer focused on the Weekend of Prayer and Action Against Hunger, as well as the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle for the churches and people of Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Belize.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed both outrage and shock at the news of an airstrike on the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza. "Thousands of Palestinians who had lost their homes already were taking refuge at the hospital, run by the Anglican Church,” said WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. “The attack amounts to collective punishment, which is a war crime under International Law.”

More than 1.1 million Palestinians are struggling to flee from areas of north Gaza targeted by the Israeli military ahead of an expected land offensive a week after Hamas’s bloody attack into Israel. 

The World Council of Churches will join a Day of Prayer and Fasting on 17 October, which will be hosted by the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem. 

After an emergency committee of the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem met on 13 October, they urged immediate actions to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Church leaders in the Holy Land are raising their voices in unity to call for the cessation of all violent and military activities that bring harm to both Palestinian and Israeli civilians.

Responding to global crises such as conflicts, pandemic aftereffects, and the pressing challenges of climate change, the World Council of Churches (WCC), with ecumenical organizations and partners, is set to organize a "Weekend of Prayer & Action Against Hunger" on 14-16 October. With 258 million people in 58 countries facing severe hunger in 2022, the need to act is critical.

Following the outbreak of hostilities on 7 October – with a reported launch of thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel and the infiltration of southern Israel by Hamas gunmen, and an ensuing Israeli military response – the World Council of Churches (WCC) is adapting its work in the Holy Land to continue to support efforts for just peace.

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended greetings to the 2nd Annual Synod Assembly of the Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera.

The Christian Conference of Asia 15th General Assembly, in a statement, called for prayers for true peace on the Korean Peninsula. The statement also called upon governments to refrain from provocative statements and military actions, and prayed that permanent members of the UN Security Council continue to work together for reconciliation and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) participated in an ecumenical vigil of prayer preceding the synod of bishops for the Catholic Church.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is holding Staff Planning Days from 2-6 October with the goal of strengthening collaboration and exploring what it means to be a fellowship of churches on a Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended condolences to the churches and people of Qaraqosh, Iraq, after a wedding celebration was struck with a fire that killed 94 people and injured 100 more.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) hosted Bishop Dr Jukka Keskitalo and Rev. Pekka Mustakallio from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, to discuss the ecumenical agenda of 2023 and the harvesting of the WCC 11 th assembly, as well a group from the Centre for Ecumenism of the Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau, and 21 ordinands from the Church of Sweden.

World Council of Churches (WCC) programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba offered a recorded greeting for the “Together: Gathering of the People of God” event in Rome taking place 29 September-1 October.

A World Council of Churches delegation led by general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay has concluded its visit to Armenia after “witnessing dramatic events”.