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The World Council of Churches (WCC), a global fellowship of 352 churches representing more than half a billion Christians from around the world, has been deeply involved in the work of the United Nations from as early as 1946 through its Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA). The WCC is a platform for common action by churches on issues that negate or threaten the dignity of all people. 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.

(Luke 4:18-19)

The current global context is marked by escalating conflicts, divisions, inequalities, resurgent racism, xenophobic attacks on migrants, antisemitism, violations of the rights of women and other forms of discrimination, threats against human rights defenders, as well as authoritarianism, populist nationalism, and religious and other forms of extremism, that threaten grave peril for the physical security and human dignity and rights of diverse communities and individuals around the world.

‘Behold I create new heavens in which life, justice and peace are possible for all’.

(Isaiah  65:17-25)

Indigenous Peoples are created with God-given identities that are beautiful.  God was present in their lands and among their peoples before colonizers arrived. When Christians brought the Bible, Indigenous People recognized the voice of their Creator in Jesus’ teachings. They did not hear a call to reject their identities.

Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness (Genesis 1:26)

The World Council of Churches, at its 11th assembly, in Karlsruhe, Germany, abhors the perpetuation of all forms of racism, xenophobia and related discriminations against humanity and the pervasive suffering it causes. 

"War in Ukraine, Peace and Justice in the European Region", statement by the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany

"Seeking Justice and Peace for All in the Middle East", statement of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany

"The Things That Make For Peace: Moving the World to Reconciliation and Unity", Statement of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany

By the WCC Executive Committee, November 2021.

Interfaith Message on Just Finance, Debt and Reparations

16 October 2020

Statement on Racial Justice in the USA by the World Council of Churches Executive Committee, Video Conference, 1-3 June 2020

Statement on the Role of Churches in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Love, Steadfastness, Hope and Courage by the World Council of Churches Executive Committee, Video Conference, 1-3 June 2020

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and its member churches resolutely condemn both racism and violence, and consistently seek to promote recognition of the image of God in all people. As part of our Christian understanding and our witness in the world, we reject the brutality of both violence and racial injustice.

In a joint message released on 15 May 2020, the World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, and Council for World Mission underlined that cooperation and solidarity within and across countries, embodied in networks of faith communities, civil society, and social movements as well as fresh systems of global governance rooted in justice, care, and sustainability are needed in response to the global health crisis of the Covid‐19 pandemic and the longer‐standing economic and ecological emergency.

The WCC has acknowledged that racism is a church-dividing issue and has underlined the importance of continuing the discussion on restorative justice to people of African descent and Indigenous Peoples. Racism and racial justice is the global theme for the year of 2019 in the common journey of the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace (PJP).

Statement by WCC Executive Committee, November 2018

The WCC Central Committee encourages the study and adoption of the principles and practices of active non-violence, as the most legitimate and appropriate means of countering discrimination and oppression and of breaking the cycle of violence.

Truth, Healing and Transformation, 20-21 June 2016

Statement by the participants of the consultation organized by the WCC and the South African Council of Churches.

Joint Statement by participants of the conference held at the Korean YMCA in Japan.