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Making Africa Day, “as Christians we are stakeholders in the present and future of Africa”

A webinar on 25 May, “Exploring the nexus between racism, xenophobia and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and African Union (AU) free movement protocol,” marked Africa Day by focusing on the potential of faith communities, especially Christians, in bridging the gaps that continue to frustrate the free movement of people and goods around the continent.

31 May 2023

Blog post

On Valentine’s Day, some insights on the power of love

As many celebrate Valentine’s Day, the WCC invited reflections on the power of love. Below are four reflections, all from people somehow involved in or leading, in their local contexts, a Thursdays in Black campaign for a world free from rape and violence. They share the joys, the pain, and the ever-changing perspective on what love is—and what it can become.

14 February 2023

N. Doreen, N. Faith, A. Yayra, Rev. Anaga

Joint Message of Thursdays in Black Ambassadors on Gender-based Violence, Sexual Abuse and Faith Communities

In a joint message on gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and faith communities, 26 World Council of Churches (WCC) Thursdays in Black ambassadors lament that the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence continues unabated—and call on faith communities to prevent such violence in their own spaces.

11 August 2022

Report

Joint Report of the Ecumenical Indigenous Peoples Network Reference Group and the Working Group on Climate Change of the World Council of Churches

This joint report emphasises the work of the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) Ecumenical Indigenous Peoples Network Reference Group and the Working Group on Climate Change. It affirms that Indigenous perspectives are crucial not only for addressing the burgeoning climate emergency but also for navigating the way forward to a hopeful post-COVID, post-growth and post-fossil fuel future and calls on the WCC to address this at the 11th WCC Assembly and relevant preassemblies.

09 August 2022

His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, Photo: Peter Williams/WCC

“Coexistence,” book by Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania brings a renowned voice to the human condition

A new publication from WCC, “Coexistence: Peace, Nature, Poverty, Terrorism, Values (Religious Perspectives)” by Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, is now available in hard copy and as an eBook.

24 March 2022

How do we make peace with the earth? “We need to create a new story of reclamation and rebirth”

At a side event during COP26, indigenous voices rang on the theme “Making Peace with Nature: Heeding the Call of Indigenous Peoples.” Held on 3 November, the virtual event drew enthusiastic supporters who waited outside the door of the meeting room in a show of solidarity.

05 November 2021

Publication

Thursdays in Black Bible Studies Series 1

Listening, Learning and Responding to the Word of God

Led by Thursdays in Black Ambassadors – leaders in their communities committed to being visible and outspoken against such violence – a series of Bible studies are being prepared for individual and congregational reflection on sexual and gender-based violence. Such reflection will help us listen to the word of God and apply our faith and vision of justice, peace, and love in our contexts today. This first series of reflections address critical topics in our societies and Christian communities that contribute to or respond to gender-based violence and provide diverse perspectives from our wide ecumenical fellowship.

A core group of Thursdays in Black Ambassadors oversaw this Bible study series: Anders Göranzon, Claudia Bandixen, and Karen Georgia Thompson.

21 October 2021

Dr Agnes Abuom at the Ecumenical centre in Geneva

Dr Abuom reflects on women of faith as healers of creation

Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee, shared a message with the Conference of the World Council of Religious Leaders on Faith and Diplomacy: Generations in Dialogue, being held 4-7 October in Lindau, Germany.

05 October 2021

Moderator of Central Committee

Women of Faith: Protagonists of Human Dignity, Peace and Healers of Creation

Moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee Dr Agnes Abuom shared a message with the Conference of the World Council of Religious Leaders on Faith and Diplomacy: Generations in Dialogue, being held 4-7 October in Lindau, Germany.

05 October 2021

Publication

Sharing and Learning

Bible, Mission, and Receptive Ecumenism

Receptive Ecumenism can be described as an ecumenism of the wounded hands. It brings to the fore the self-critical hospitality, humble learning, and ongoing conversion that have always been quietly essential to ecumenical work. “What do we, in our tradition, need to learn and receive, with integrity, from others?”

The book is meant for all those interested in the theological relations between mission and unity, as well as in Receptive Ecumenism. It is intended for all who are interested in the practical consequences of committing themselves to foster the unity and mission of the Church in the world. It serves both academics and practitioners engaged in mission and unity. If the book can be a source of inspiration for them, it will have fulfilled its purpose.

04 October 2021

Women in peace-building: when will their prophetic voices be heard?

Women who are leading efforts in peace-building amid growing conflict across the world met online on 23 March, and their candid exchange combined personal inspiration, mutual encouragement—and a clarion call for their prophetic voices to be heard.

23 March 2021

Women at the workshop with a note "Peace for all and all for peace"

WCC and Religions for Peace make joint commitment to Thursdays in Black

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and Religions for Peace are speaking out against gender-based violence and committing to widen religious participation in the Thursdays in Black campaign.

11 March 2021

Joint Initiative of Religions for Peace and World Council of Churches on Thursdays in Black campaign

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and Religions for Peace speak out against gender-based violence and commit to widen religious participation in the Thursdays in Black campaign.

11 March 2021

General Secretary

Interview

Prof. Dr Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, speaking from the podium.

Prof. Dr Azza Karam: Thursdays in Black “can build the strongest mountain of human dignity”

Our series of interviews with Thursdays in Black ambassadors highlights those who are playing a vital role in increasing the impact of our collective call for a world without rape and violence. Prof. Dr Azza Karam is Secretary General of Religions for Peace.

11 March 2021

Lecture - Speech

Reflection of Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri on "Fratelli tutti"

Address by Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri offering an ecumenical perspective on Fratelli tutti, the third encyclical of Pope Francis on fraternity and social friendship, during the webinar on International Women’s Day, 3 March 2021.

05 March 2021

Media advisory

Symposium to examine role of religion and the UN in working for gender equality in 2021

Senior UN staff, representatives from faith groups and members of civil society will be presenting at the 7^th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-based Organizations in International Affairs on January 26, 2021. This year’s event will focus on “2021: A defining year for accelerating gender equality, equity and justice,” with a series of presentations and discussions on issues including multi-stakeholder collaboration to accelerate gender equality, equity and justice, the urgency for achieving it, women advancing peace and security, and multilateralism and the intersection of religion and human rights.

19 January 2021

(en) Image for Photos: Moderator Agnes Abuom

Dr Agnes Abuom at G20 Interfaith Forum: “It is a question of human dignity”

Leading a plenary session on 15 October at the G20 Interfaith Forum, World Council of Churches moderator Dr Agnes Abuom spoke on the empowerment of women, youth and vulnerable people. The online forum drew more than 2,000 people from 90 countries.

19 October 2020

To readers in Finland

WCC Director of Communication on discussion in Finland about the Uusi tie article (October 2020)

16 October 2020