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Sudan bombardment is needless, say church officials, as ceasefire brings some hope

Amidst amplified calls for peace in Sudan, a glimmer of hope has spread in the northeastern African country, after fighting forces announced a 72-hour ceasefire.

26 April 2023

two hands mark a piece of cloth with paint of different colors

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity writing team: “There’s nothing wrong with how God is in our lives”

Each year, ecumenical partners in a different region are asked to prepare the materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year, Christians from Minnesota developed the resources with input from an international group representing the Roman Catholic Church’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches (WCC) Faith and Order Commission. The resources include an ecumenical opening prayer service, biblical reflections and prayers for eight days, and other elements of worship.

20 April 2023

Dr Stephen G. Brown delivering keynote address

Ecumenical Review editor reflects on the ecumenical theology of Joseph Ratzinger

In his first address after his election on 19 April 2005, Pope Benedict XVI pledged to work for the full and visible unity of all of Christ’s followers, Dr Stephen G. Brown, editor of the World Council of Churches journal The Ecumenical Review, has recalled in an address to a symposium in Dublin.

19 April 2023

WCC commemorates life of Janet Somerville, a unifying leader in Canada

The World Council of Churches (WCC) global fellowship shared sadness at the loss of Janet Somerville and joy for her life as an inspiration for love and justice. A past general secretary of The Canadian Council of Churches (1997-2002), she breathed her last on 16 April.

19 April 2023

Woman praying in the church with hands raised

After violent demonstrations, Kenyan religious leaders welcome president and opposition talks

After persistently calling for dialogue to end violent anti-government protests, Kenyan religious leaders are welcoming President William Samoei Ruto and opposition leader Raila Amollo Odinga consultations, during which the two have agreed to tackle critical issues troubling the east African nation.

05 April 2023

On 22 March, the WCC delegation visited the Centro Pro Unione

WCC delegation in Rome visits organizations with spark for Christian unity

In a visit to Rome, a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation met with organizations that, as WCC general secretary Jerry Pillay said, “keep the fire of ecumenism burning.”

24 March 2023

Bishop Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, Pope Francis, and Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary, during the meeting at the Vatican on 23 March.

ÖRK und Römisch-katholische Kirche unterstreichen Selbstverpflichtung, gemeinsam unterwegs sein, beten und arbeiten zu wollen

Im Rahmen eines Besuchs bei Papst Franziskus in Rom am 23. März haben eine Delegation des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen (ÖRK) und die Römisch-katholische Kirche bekräftigt, gemeinsam unterwegs zu sein, zu beten und zu arbeiten für Gerechtigkeit, Versöhnung und Einheit.

24 March 2023

WCC, Roman Catholic Church underscore commitment to walking, praying, working together

During a visit with Pope Francis in Rome on 23 March, a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation and the Roman Catholic Church committed to walking, praying. and working together for justice, reconciliation, and unity.

23 March 2023

Report

Special report: The WCC and the Roman Catholic Church Walking, Praying, and Working together for Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity

23 March 2023

General Secretary

WCC delegation visits Pope Francis as well as Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy

A World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation is traveling to Rome from 22-23 March for a visit with Pope Francis and other Roman Catholic leaders.

22 March 2023

Commission on International Affairs

Message

Address by Marianne Ejdersten launching the report on the impact of sanctions on humanitarian work

Address by Marianne Ejdersten, communication director of the WCC at the side-event of the 52^nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, launching the report on the impact of sanctions on humanitarian work.

10 March 2023

WCC extends warm birthday congratulations to Cardinal Walter Kasper

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended sincere birthday congratulations to Cardinal Walter Kasper, expressing gratitude for the cardinal’s tireless service for Christian unity, particularly for his leadership role in the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

06 March 2023

Letter

Letter of congratulations to Cardinal Walter Kasper

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended sincere birthday congratulations to Cardinal Walter Kasper, president emeritus of the the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

06 March 2023

General Secretary

Message

Words of Gratitude on the Occasion of the Public Lecture by Rev. Prof. Ioan Sauca, by Kurt Cardinal Koch

University of Fribourg, Aula Magna, 23 February 2023, 5.15 pm

23 February 2023

Ecumenical movement

Lecture - Speech

"What Future for the Ecumenical Movement?", by Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca

On 23 February 2023, at a special event at the University of Fribourg honoring his work, former acting general secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, delivered a lecture exploring the question: “What future for the ecumenical movement?”

23 February 2023

General Secretary

500 churches and religious sites destroyed in Ukraine during the war

At least 494 religious buildings in Ukraine have been destroyed, damaged, or looted as a result of the Russian invasion—and seizure of religious buildings for use as Russian military bases increases the scale of destruction of religious sites in Ukraine, reports the Institute for Religious Freedom.

22 February 2023

Recieving the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity

Kenyan woman peace-builder wins human fraternity award

Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil, a recipient of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, is a household name in peace building and community mobilisation in the Kenyan coastal region.

14 February 2023

WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay addresses participants of the Global Tolerance and Human Fraternity Summit in Abu Dhabi.

WCC general secretary offers reflections at Global Tolerance & Human Fraternity Summit in Abu Dhabi

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay spoke as part of a panel discussion at the Global Tolerance & Human Fraternity Summit in Abu Dhabi on 6 and 7 February.

09 February 2023