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The WCC 11th Assembly has recommended increasing youth participation in the global ecumenical fellowship.

Recognizing the deep need for, “renewed dialogue within the ecumenical movement,” the WCC 11th Assembly released a statement “strongly affirming the commitment of the WCC and its member churches to peace making through inter-religious dialogue and cooperation at all levels,” and calling for a global ceasefire in all armed conflicts around the world.

In a report released 7 September, the World Council of Churches (WCC) assembly proposed inviting member churches and ecumenical partners to commit to working together as a fellowship in “A Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity,” as a way to go even further on the “Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace” initiated at the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan.

At a World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly press conference held 7 September, Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox voices joined a WCC Faith and Order member to explore the meaning of Christian unity.

Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria travelled from the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Karlsruhe, Germany, to join a 5 September ceremony marking 50 years since 11 Israeli athletes died in a terrorist attack at the Olympic Games in Munich.

Speakers during a World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly plenary under the theme “Christian unity and the churches’ common witness” on 7 September reflected on unity, mission, and reconciliation in the fellowship and ecumenical movement. The plenary theme included conversation on accomplishments and challenges to Christian unity and mission since the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, and mutual accountability and witness to the love of Christ in a changing landscape and looking forward.

During a plenary session held 5 September as part of the ongoing World Council of Churches 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, women, men, youth, Indigenous peoples, and people living with HIV and AIDS challenged ecumenical leaders to counter injustices and affirm wholeness of life.

Learn more about Karlsruhe’s beautiful Golden Book. Hear voices from across the world talk about what reconciliation means to them. Watch highlights from Sunday’s ecumenical service. And go inside the Prayer Tent.

During a special reception at the Karlsruhe town hall on 3 September, the leaders of the World Council Churches central committee—Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator; Bishop Mary Anne Swenson, vice moderator;  Metropolitan Nifon of Târgoviște, vice moderator; and WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof Dr Ioan Sauca—were asked to sign the Golden Book of Karlsruhe.

The mayor of Karlsruhe Dr Frank Mentrup welcomed World Council of Churches leaders at a special reception at his German city’s town hall on 3 September, expressing his delight that the WCC has brought the global fellowship to his city.

War in Ukraine, church dialogue, and humanitarian response were in sharp focus on third day of the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly. Church leaders from Ukraine together with heads of ecumenical organisations emphasised the need for reconciliation, unity, and peacebuilding.

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in a keynote speech at the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly opening on 31 August, expressed what an honor and delight it was to welcome the global fellowship in Germany.