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Specialized Ministries Pre-Assembly Message to the WCC 11th Assembly

1.1 The representatives of Specialized Ministries, organizations connected to member churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) serving the one ecumenical movement in the areas of mission, diakonia, relief and advocacy, gathered for an online Pre-Assembly 9 and 10 March 2022 in preparation for the WCC 11th Assembly, taking place in Karlsruhe, Germany, in September 2022.

14 March 2022

Ecumenical movement

Unity is key when health crisis poses new challenges in Asia

As the COVID-19 pandemic slowly fades, its severe impact on people’s lives lingers on throughout Asia and the rest of the world. In addition to the sufferings and tragic losses of lives caused by the virus, hopes for a brighter future have been dimmed by social isolation, economic recession, increased unemployment and poverty.

28 February 2022

Despite the pandemic and natural disasters, “yet still we rise with hope,” says the Pacific

As the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly approaches, Pacific churches remain concerned about their attendance due to closed borders internally and externally, as well as natural disasters. The Pacific region church leaders joined their hearts and minds on 11 February through a video conference, as part of the ongoing WCC central committee meeting.

18 February 2022

Church leaders in Africa express hope for healing, reconciliation and unity

A gathering of church leaders in Africa held via videoconference on 11February as part of the ongoing World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting has expressed hope for healing, reconciliation and unity amidst several challenges facing the continent.

14 February 2022

Blog post

Rev. Jebin Thankaraj and Cardinal Kurt Koch

Study trip to Rome testifies that ecumenical engagements can move forward

Our successful visit to Rome with various ecumenical deliberations itself testifies that ecumenical engagements can move forward despite the pandemic. The launch of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity document “Ecumenism in a Time of Pandemic: From Crisis to Opportunity,” followed by an ecumenical panel discussion, helped us to understand how different churches have approached the pandemic.

10 February 2022

Rev. Jebin Thankaraj

Bossey student Rev. Emma Jansson describes “encounters between churches in moving towards unity”

Rev. Emma Jansson, from the Church of Sweden, participated in a study visit to Rome 20-27 January as part of pursuing a Complementary Certificate in Ecumenical Studies at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute.

02 February 2022

Bossey student Bernard Mushi reflects on “necessity of churches to come together”

Bernard Mushi, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, participated in a study visit to Rome 20-27 January, as part of pursuing a Complementary Certificate in Ecumenical Studies at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute.

02 February 2022

Lecture - Speech

The Pandemic, the World Council of Churches, and Global Health

WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca reflects on “The Pandemic, the World Council of Churches, and Global Health,” as part of a discussion hosted by the Institute for Ecumenical Studies of Angelicum University.

20 January 2022

General Secretary

Interview

Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the WCC central committee at the closing press conference of the 2021 central committee meeting

Dr Agnes Abuom shares details on February WCC central committee meeting

The WCC executive committee held a special meeting on 4 January and reached a decision to hold the upcoming WCC central committee meeting, scheduled for 9-15 February, online rather than in-person as previously planned. Below, WCC central committee moderator Dr Agnes Abuom shares some details behind the decision, and plans for moving forward.

06 January 2022

Most-read WCC stories in 2021 reflect a global fellowship full of hope amid year of challenges

A compilation of the most-read stories published by the World Council of Churches (WCC) reveals a global fellowship focused on a better future even amid the grave challenges the world faced during 2021.

31 December 2021

Letter

Faith Global Vaccine Statement

A letter signed by 115 organizations, representing five world faith traditions, called on World Trade Organization member countries to act before year’s end to waive Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights rules.

14 December 2021

Ecumenical movement

a young woman receives a shot of a vaccine against COVID-19

WCC joins global faith-based organizations calling on World Trade Organization to increase global access to vaccines

During a virtual press conference on 13 December, the World Council of Churches (WCC) joined leaders from the global faith community in releasing a letter signed by 115 organizations, representing five world faith traditions, calling on World Trade Organization member countries to act before year’s end to waive Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights rules. The faith community spotlighted the moral necessity of increasing access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

14 December 2021

Photo exhibition on Racims, WCC, 12.2021

Programme to Combat Racism began during apartheid, but xenophobia fight still churches’ focus

When the World Council of Churches (WCC) launched the Programme to Combat Racism after years of in-depth theological reflections and prayer in 1971, South Africa's insidious racist apartheid policies were in full throw. The programme brought the WCC into the world's spotlight. Yet racism did not start 50 years ago. And it did not end with the casting out of apartheid at the end of the 20th century. During that era, figures such as Nobel Peace Prize laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela fought racism in society and the church.

09 December 2021

Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, WCC acting general secretary.

In message to Baden and Württemberg churches, WCC acting general secretary rejoices in holding the WCC 11th Assembly in Germany

In a video for regional churches in Baden and Württemberg, World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca offers warm greetings that look forward to holding the WCC 11th Assembly in Germany.

04 December 2021

Vaccine confidence: how religious leaders are building it across the world

A 2 December webinar, “Building trust: religious leader's engagement in vaccine confidence,” highlighted the voices of global religious leaders who are listening with a keen ear in their communities—and leading by example.

03 December 2021

Red ribbon seen with blurry candle light in the background.

On World AIDS Day, pray to overcome inequalities with justice and love

An ecumenical prayer service on World AIDS Day, to be observed 1 December, will focus on the theme “Overcoming Inequalities With Justice and Love,” a special emphasis in the context of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from 25 November until 10 December.

30 November 2021

People sit in line at a table in a conference room.

African church conference tackles misleading theologies in faith and healing

A symposium exploring the complex question of misleading theologies in Africa ended here on 24 November, amid concerns that the phenomenon was harming the efforts to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and other diseases.

25 November 2021

Commission on International Affairs

Message

Keynote speech by Peter Prove, director of the WCC-CCIA at the 70th General Assembly of the National Council of Churches in Korea

Walk the Path of the New Commandment: Keynote speech of Peter Prove, director of the WCC's Commission of the Churches on International Affairs at the 70th General Assembly of the National Council of Churches in Korea, 22 November 2021.

23 November 2021