Search results

Background document

The Church of Sweden: Ecumenical Catalyst, International Agent of Peace

15 February 2024

Statement: public statement

Africa Anglican Bishops Communique

African Anglican women bishops, after a gathering in Kenya from 8-14 January, released a communique emphasizing the need for authentic women’s leadership, and calling on the church to stop its silence on gender inequalities.

16 January 2024

Ecumenical movement

Interview

Very Rev. Dr Evans Onyemara thankful for “assurance that we are not abandoned on our journey” in Nigeria

Rev. Dr Evans Onyemara, general secretary of the Christian Council of Nigeria, attended the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting from 8-14 November in Abuja, Nigeria. He took time to reflect on accomplishments and challenges in his country, and why he’s grateful for the presence of the WCC.

29 November 2023

three women, floods, humanitarian aid unload, Africa

As floods rage in eastern Africa, church acts to save the people

Amidst deaths and displacement, church leaders in eastern Africa are re-stressing a warning against floods, while appealing for support for communities displaced by the climate change disaster.

22 November 2023

Moderator of Central Committee

Message

Greetings from the WCC moderator to the All Africa Conference of Churches assembly and 60th anniversary

Greetings from the World Council of Churches moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm to the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) assembly marking the 60th anniversary of the AACC.

20 November 2023

Message

Message from WCC general secretary to the 72nd General Assembly of the National Council of Churches in Korea

Message from WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay to the 72nd General Assembly of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK): “God of Life, Restore the Creation by your Love” (Psalm 104:30, John 6:39 Revelation 21:5), 20 November 2023.

20 November 2023

Closing worship service at Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church in Kottayam. Photo CCA

Blending local and global ecumenism in Asia

After being postponed twice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 15^th General Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) finally got underway in late September and early October 2023 in Kottayam, India. Under the theme "God, renew us in your spirit and restore the creation,” CCA member churches across Asia gathered to stake out the direction forward and evaluate accomplishments and challenges since the last assembly in 2015 in Jakarta.

02 November 2023

Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm delivering a lecture

WCC moderator calls for a “reformation of hope” based on love

The world needs a “reformation of hope and confidence,” according to the moderator of the central committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, giving the Otto Karrer lecture in Lucerne, Switzerland.

10 October 2023

Photo essay

WCC general secretary reflects on deep spirituality of member churches in Asia

After returning from a visit to the Christian Conference of Asia assembly, and from visits with church leaders in India, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected that the relationships he built were both enlightening and inspiring.

05 October 2023

Ecumenical Asia's 15th General Assembly looks to emerging challenges

This week, 500 participants from all over Asia gather in Kottayam, India, to evaluate the last eight years of ecumenical work and look to challenges ahead, such as the impact of youth migration. Under the theme "God, renew us in your spirit and restore the creation", the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) holds its 15th General assembly.

26 September 2023

Greetings pour in to commemorate WCC’s 75th anniversary

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has been fielding a growing number of greetings and reflections as it continues to observe its 75th anniversary.

22 September 2023

WCC greetings to Lutheran World Federation: “live an ecumenism of the heart”

In a joint greeting to the Lutheran World Federation Assembly, gathered in Krakow, Poland from 13-19 September, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Pillay and WCC moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm reflected on the assembly’s theme, “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.”

14 September 2023

Moderator of Central Committee

Lecture - Speech

Common greetings by WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and moderator Bishop Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm at the LWF Assembly

13 September 2023

Letter

WCC general secretary solidarity letter to the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

In the wake of severe flooding in the Taquari Valley, Brazil, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed sorrow and concern for the people affected.

09 September 2023

In wake of floods in Brazil, WCC expresses concern and solidarity

In the wake of severe flooding in the Taquari Valley, Brazil, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed sorrow and concern for the people affected.

09 September 2023

WCC retirees joyfully gather to celebrate 75th anniversary of the global fellowship

Forty retired World Council of Churches (WCC) staff gathered at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey on 22 August to celebrate the WCC’s 75th anniversary and to receive greetings and reflections from WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay.

24 August 2023

burning forest, fire fighter, Greece, August 2023

WCC expresses sympathies to those affected by wildfires: an “existential test for all humanity”

In pastoral letters to His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, His Beatitude Hieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, and the Evangelical Church of Greece, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay conveyed sincere sympathies as wildfires raged across the land.

27 July 2023

Letter

Pastoral letter to the Evangelical Church of Greece - Wildfires - July 2023

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth….

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God; he will wipe every tear from their eyes.—Rev. 21:1-4

27 July 2023

Letter

Pastoral letter to His Beatitude Hieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece - Wildfires - July 2023

Your Beatitude,

27 July 2023