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A 12 July statement from the South African Council of Churches notes with deep concern the violence and destruction of property that is engulfing the nation. “This violence is resulting in untold suffering,” the statement reads.

“Living Christ’s love as part of His body in Africa is taking responsibility of peacebuilding, addressing injustice and its root causes.” This was the resolve of church leaders in Africa as they reflected on how churches in the continent are living the upcoming World Council of Churches (WCC) assembly theme “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.”

More than 140 people met online in a spontaneous “Gathering in Grief” to mourn Rev. Phumzile Mabizela, who passed away the morning of on 5 July. Mabizela was the executive director of INERELA+ (the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV), co-moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance HIV Campaign Strategy Group and a member of the International Reference Group of WCC Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy.

The World Council of Churches joined 106 faith-based and civil society organizations in signing a joint statement entitled “Building Back Better For Stateless People”, with the launch taking place on 6 July to coincide with the UN Refugee Agency’s Standing Committee Meeting.

The Religious Forum Against COVID-19 in South Africa issued a statement with faith leaders standing in solidarity in response to COVID-19, and with a broader objective of collaborating in making for a safer South African environment.

With 124 of 155 central committee members and presidents from around the world present, the WCC central committee convened to advance preparations for the 11th WCC Assembly, taking place in 2022 in Karlsruhe, Germany under the theme “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” The central committee also addressed membership matters and strengthened the WCC fellowship through prayer and sharing. 

Zambia’s founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, passed away at the age of 97. He led his country for 27 years and championed Africa's struggles against apartheid and HIV.

More than 100 young people attended a 16 June webinar, “My Home, My Future,” hosted by the All Africa Conference of Churches, finding both inspiration and determination from speakers and from each other. 

Rev. Dr Fidon Mwombeki, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, explained the deep meaning of the theme. “Africa is our home and Africa is our future," he said. “There is no better place.” 

 

In recent times, churches face tensions with regard to ethical questions. This is of course not new. History testifies to how in the history of Christianity disputes over moral questions caused changes, leading at times to division, whereas at other times such divisions could be prevented.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Council for World Mission, from 14-17 June, will present online the ecumenical event “Anti-racist in Christ? Ecumenical Christian Repentance, Reflection and Action on Racial Discrimination and Xenophobia.”

The latest issue of the World Council of Churches’ journal International Review of Mission deals with one of the most urgent issues in the world today – reconciliation.

Under the title, “Reconciliation as a Missional Task,” the issue explores the meaning of reconciliation, how it can be understood theologically, and what its missiological dimensions mean for the church’s missional task.

A webinar scheduled for 27 May and entitled “Change in Moral Teaching – Exploring Continuity and Discontinuity,” will examine concrete historic examples where churches have modified or changed their understanding of a specific moral issue.