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WCC expresses grave concern over escalation of violence in Middle East

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, on behalf of the global fellowship, expressed grave concern regarding the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East following the first direct confrontation between Iran and Israel.

15 April 2024

Feature story

Priest dressed in white clothes presiding over a church service inside a stone church.

As the world order breaks down, “Jerusalem is to start again”

Father Frans Bouwen, a priest in the Catholic church who has been living and working for ecumenism in Jerusalem since 1969, has a stark description of the situation in Palestine and Israel today.

14 March 2024

News

On International Day of Human Fraternity, eyes turn toward bridging divides

On the 2024 International Day of Human Fraternity, observed 5 February, special events—including the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity—focused on bridging divides and promoting a culture of peace.

06 February 2024

Feature story

Women and children in Gaza bearing brunt of ongoing war

Women and children in Gaza are bearing the heavy brunt of the ongoing war, according to reports from the United Nations, with close to a million women and girls displaced and 12,882 women and children already perished in a war that has now raged for more than 100 days.

16 January 2024

News

On 12 December, a panel discussion on the Colombian context organized by the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, DiPaz and the ACT Alliance forum Colombia brought together Rev. Milton Mejia, coordinator of DiPaz, Yudeluly Mosquera, Women’s Farmers Association of the River Pepé-Asomupepé, Aura Rodríguez, Colombian Platform of Democracy and Human Rights.

Voices for peace in Colombia: WCC general secretary draws close partnerships

In a nation marked by decades of alarming numbers of internal displacement and confinement mainly affecting Indigenous and Afro-Colombians, the walk toward peace is complicated—but the World Council of Churches (WCC) is deepening collaboration on Colombia’s vision for total peace.

14 December 2023

News

Colombia advisor to the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace shares insights on the importance of WCC’s accompaniment

In a discussion with World Council of Churches (WCC) staff, Mariela Kohon, advisor to the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace - an office that reports directly to the presidency of the Republic of Colombia - shared insights into the ongoing peace dialogues in Colombia and the important role of the WCC and faith leaders.

02 November 2023

Feature story

In Colombia, WCC is helping people realize dreams of a future in peace with justice

In September, the World Council of Churches (WCC), with the Colombian Episcopal Conference, United Nations Mission in Colombia, and Organization of American States, was appointed as a permanent accompanier for peace talks with the Estado Mayor Central FARC-EP in Colombia.

20 October 2023

News

WCC appointed as permanent accompanier in Colombian peace talks

The World Council of Churches (WCC), with the Colombian Episcopal Conference, United Nations Mission in Colombia, and Organization of American States, has been appointed as a permanent accompanier for peace talks with the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) FARC-EP in Colombia.

21 September 2023

Event

Exhibition “Bethlehem Reborn – Palestine – The Wonders of the Nativity”

12 September - 05 October 2023

The exhibition “Bethlehem Reborn” tells a story that goes beyond the history of politics and art to reveal, through the restoration works of the Church of the Nativity, an overdue recognition of the outstanding universal value of Palestinian heritage to humanity.

Ecumenical Center, Geneva, Switzerland

News

Palestinian delegation visits WCC

Ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi, Mission of Palestine to Switzerland; Ambassador Dr Omar Awadallah, assistant minister for United Nations and Specialized Organizations; and Doa Nofal, second secretary at the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, visited the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 6 July to discuss the current situation in Palestine.

07 July 2023

Interview

For Cypriot metropolitan, the recent history of Cyprus is “painful”

World Council of Churches (WCC) president for Eastern Orthodox Churches Metropolitan Vasilios of Ammochostos has three-quarters of his diocese on the island of Cyprus under Turkish occupation, but no Christians are still living in the occupied part.

30 June 2023

News

In prayer, WCC observes UN International Day for Living Together in Peace

During an ecumenical morning prayer held 15 May, the World Council of Churches (WCC) staff and partners observed the UN International Day of Living Together in Peace, holding in prayer many nations across the world facing challenges to living together in harmony.

15 May 2023

Feature story

In East Jerusalem, “people need to understand what happens when settlements are built”

For the 380,000 Palestinians that live in East Jerusalem, daily life is often marred by inequalities related to everything from housing, health services, childcare, and even garbage pickup. Even though Palestinians make up 39% of the city, there are many discrepancies in the services they receive.

14 March 2023

Feature story

House in ruins, GOPA-DERD team responds to earthquake victims

Aid and prayers from churches across the world stream in for earthquake survivors

As search-and-rescue continued in Turkey and Syria following a massive earthquake, churches mobilized to offer humanitarian aid and prayers.

07 February 2023

Photo essay

COP27 in images – as Egypt hosts the United Nations climate change conference

The sun was just setting over Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt when hundreds of protestors turned towards the main plenary hall of COP27 – the United Nations climate change conference – to raise their fists into the air, shouting ‘Pay up! Pay up! Pay up for loss and damage!’

16 November 2022

Feature story

Migrants in Argentina find listening ears and open hearts

Located in the Flores neighborhood of the City of Buenos Aires, for almost 50 years the Argentine Commission for Refugees and Migrants has carried out committed work in favor of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

04 November 2022

Feature story

WCC delegation meets Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II

WCC delegation visits Syria, expresses solidarity with those who “remain steadfast in their land”

World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca visited Syria, alongside the Middle East Council of Churches secretary general Dr Michel Abs, the general secretary of ACT Alliance Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, and WCC senior advisor on peace building Michel Nseir.

21 July 2022

News

Jerusalem landscape with the flags of Israel

Regarding false media reporting on Israel and Dr Pillay

Since the election in mid-June of Rev. Dr Prof. Jerry Pillay as new World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, concerns have been raised, predominantly in Jewish media, about his position on Israel and the Jewish communities and their faith.

23 June 2022

News

Colombian delegation calls upon international community to revive “vital support”

As a group of three laureates of the “National Human Rights Award in Colombia” engaged in meetings with diplomats and United Nations representatives in Geneva, a tray lunch event was organized on 8 June at the Ecumenical Centre by the World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance to offer the delegation the opportunity to share about the deterioration of the peace process in the country and the importance of international solidarity.

09 June 2022

News

Colombian human rights advocates engage in strategic talks in the US

In a recent visit to the United States, a group of four laureates of the “National Human Rights Award in Colombia” engaged in meetings in Washington and New York City with government officials, diplomats, and United Nations (UN) representatives. They spoke of the deterioration of the peace process in the country and the importance of international solidarity.

28 April 2022