The World Council of Churches (WCC) had input into the 49th Session of Universal Periodic Review, a process in which UN member states undergo a peer review of their human rights records.
En 1925, l’archevêque de Suède, Nathan Söderblom, a réuni à Stockholm plus de 600 responsables d’Églises de 37 pays pour une rencontre historique. Un siècle plus tard, des responsables d’Églises du monde entier se réuniront à nouveau dans la capitale suédoise pour commémorer la rencontre de 1925 et les réalisations du mouvement œcuménique depuis lors.
How can churches maintain their prophetic and critical voice, at the same time speaking peace and hope to people? Why is unity among Christians still relevant today, and can we still trust international law and international organizations? Bishop Jonas Jonson speaks on the relevance of the 1925 Life and Work conference in Stockholm, which resulted in establishing both the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), recently gathered for its 60th meeting in Athens, Greece.
In 1925, archbishop of Sweden Nathan Söderblom, gathered more than 600 church leaders from 37 countries for a historic meeting in Stockholm. A century later, church leaders from around the globe will again convene in the Swedish capital, to commemorate the 1925 meeting and the achievements of the ecumenical movement ever since.
Dr Anna Marie Aagaard passed away at the age of 90 on 24 May. She worked for the Faculty of Theology at Aarhus University in Denmark from 1961until her retirement in 2000 as associate professor. Her interests were missiology, dogmatics, and ecumenism, and in the late 1960s she studied in Rome. and was also influenced by liberation theology and women’s studies.
Nordic churches—including the those in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Finland—have released statements calling for restoring the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, releasing hostages, delivering food and medicine to Gaza, and ending violence against the Palestinian population of the West Bank.
How does digitalization contribute to a good society for all? The answer to that question is about much more than advanced technical solutions. According to Rev. Dr. Antje Jackelén, Archbishop Emerita of the Church of Sweden and member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Faith and Order Commission, digitalization requires an interdisciplinary approach where moral and ethical aspects are taken into account, alongside the practical benefits it brings in our everyday lives.
As a “Life and Work” centenary conference in Athens entered its second day, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission of the Churches on International Affairs traveled back in time to consider the scene in Stockholm in 1925—then took a courageous look forward at the many serious global issues under consideration by churches today.
Key note address of Bishop Jonas Jonson at the CCIA Consultation on Centenary of Life and Work Conference in Stockholm 1925, Athens, Greece, 19 May 2025.
Commission of the Churches on International AffairsDirector’s report at the opening session of the CCIA 60th meeting / Life and Work Centenary Consultation, Athens, 18 May 2025.
Commission of the Churches on International Affairs Moderator’s address at the opening session of the CCIA Life and Work Centenary Consultation, Athens, 18 May 2025.
The Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) of the World Council of Churches will hold a Life and Work Centenary conference on 18-20 May 2025 in Athens, Greece.
After more than two years of visioning and planning, the long-held dream of creating a dynamic, connected network for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Institute at Bossey alumni and ecumenical partners became a reality.
Bishop Dr Jonas Jonson, bishop emeritus of the diocese of Strängnäs in the Church of Sweden, and Dr Birgitta Rubenson visited the World Council Churches 8-10 April.
Erik Svanberg and Maria Bäcklund, through the Christian Council of Sweden, have served as national coordinators with the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. They both are losing their jobs, as the programme has been paused because of changes by the Swedish government in funding priorities. Svanberg and Bäcklund reflected on the life-changing aspects of their work, and their wish that the programme will continue.
The first reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2025 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Hella Tangu, a student of climate change studies from Uganda. In this reflection, she draws our attention to the importance of the glaciers, which are often not considered as a source of freshwater. She then challenges us to be mindful of how we use water, to take care of this precious resource as stewards of God’s creation, and to protect the glaciers, the ultimate source of freshwater on earth.
Upon the admission of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania to “Evangelismos” Hospital in Athens at the beginning of January 2025, expressions of widespread acceptance and appreciation emerged from people of all educational backgrounds and ages, from various societal circles (ecclesiastical, academic, political, journalistic), as well as from international inter-Christian and interfaith communities and beyond.
