In his report to the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected on what it means—amid wars, rumours of wars, violence, trade wars, climate catastrophes, retaliations, and the quest for self-protection and preservation of identity—to be God’s family.
Churches in Haiti are communicating with hearts overwhelmed by the growing suffering of their people, according to Rev. Eliner Cadet, president of the National Coalition of Haitian Pastors.
People in Ukraine observed their fourth Easter since the Russian invasion of their nation. Oleksandra Kovalenko, a member of the Ukrainian delegation at the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, and Valentyn Hrebennyk, a graduate of the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey shares their Easter experience and encourages the WCC fellowship to continue praying for people of Ukraine.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is mourning the loss and celebrating the life of Dr Thomas Wieser, a member of the United Presbyterian Church in the US, who was originally from Basel, Switzerland.
In a conversation held on 2 May that drew repeated applause from the large audience at Kirchentag in Hanover, Germany, Bishop Marianne Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC, and Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee, reflected together on how churches, with courage and unity, can stand up for justice.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) and partner faith-based organizations convened on 29 April for a the side event entitled “A holistic, transformative approach to climate finance: Connecting the dots between climate finance, debt and tax reform” during the United Nations Economic and Social Council Financing for Development Forum. The event highlighted the interconnections between climate action, debt relief, and tax justice as essential components of climate finance mobilization.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) organized a joint seminar on 16 April at the National Council of Churches in India in collaboration with the India Peace Center, Nagpur, India. The seminar launched a series of webinars on land, water, and food to address climate justice through a nexus approach.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) Africa Regional Programme Office, Abuja, in collaboration with the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, convened a two-day Human Rights Training Workshop for church leaders and partners from the Niger Delta.
During a leadership summit held 9-11 April in Nairobi, Kenya, the World Council of Churches (WCC) offered a listening ear, accurate information, and a sense of solidarity for people living with HIV, who are facing a sudden lack of resources.
As nearly 500 people gathered in-person and online for the 11th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs, they spoke of “finding the sun”—a symbol of a future that is both possible and profoundly just—together.
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev.1:5-6). “ I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol” (Psalms 86:12-13).
This year, the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women gathered to review the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, marking 30 years since its creation. I had the pleasure of attending as part of the WCC delegation, and have left with an overwhelming feeling of “our work is only just beginning.”
The National Council of Churches in Australia welcomed the World Council of Churches (WCC) for a visit that focused on the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.
Iskandar Majlaton is local programme coordinator for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). Operating in extraordinary circumstances that include the start of the war between Israel and Palestine that began in October 2023, the continued occupation of Palestinian land, and the increasing insecurity and violence that threatens the region.
