World Council of Churches

An ecumenical delegation led by World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay met with the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as officials from the Zimbabwe Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is poised to offer key input at the upcoming International AIDS Conference in Brazil, which will convene from 26-31 July.

Marianne Ejdersten, director of communication for the World Council of Churches (WCC), traveled with a WCC-led delegation to Ukraine for a solidarity visit on 14-17 July. She took time to reflect on the communications operation, on the prophetic voices that touched her heart, and what we can pray for the communicators that remain in Ukraine.

House of Sarah works every day in Fiji to promote gender justice, empower women, and prevent gender-based and domestic violence. Mereani Nawadra, researcher and advocate with House of Sarah, took time to explain how the organization became involved with Thursdays in Black, and how House of Sarah continues to inspire reflection, challenge harmful norms, and encourage collective action towards ending violence.

On 5 June, churches and faith-based organizations from Colombia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, together with investment and ecumenical partners, submitted a complaint under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct concerning HSBC Holdings plc and its financial relationship with Glencore, the company operating the Cerrejón coal mine in La Guajira, Colombia. This is the first of a three-part feature story that illustrates the grave effects of the Cerrejón mining operation on human rights for Indigenous people, on children’s health, and on the environment, water access, and pollution. 

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, in an address to the 48th General Assembly of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, spoke on “The Church's Prophetic Responsibility in Promoting Peace, Social Cohesion, Justice, and Sustainable Development.”

Rev. James Bhagwan, general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, released a pastoral letter, “Let Peace Govern Security,” that reflects on seeking peace through relationship, dialogue, dignity, and care for the whole community of creation.

A global 3-month online training programme of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Eco-Diakonia Youth Hub, held a closing celebration on 17 July, during which young people received certificates of completion and reflected on the most meaningful aspects of the programme, which was designed to equip young leaders to advance climate justice and diakonia initiatives in their local contexts.

The 2nd International Congress on Human Mobility will take place in Panama from 22–24 July, bringing together academics, church leaders, faith-based organizations, and international partners to address the challenges of human mobility in Latin America and the Caribbean. The World Council of Churches (WCC), along with its member churches and partners, will contribute to the event.

Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, general secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), was part of a World Council of Churches (WCC)-led delegation that made a solidarity visit to Ukraine on 14-17 July. He took time to reflect on his impressions of the people he met, and on why a solidarity visit can ultimately be an expression of apostolic truth. 

Ecumenical International Youth Day 2026 will be commemorated on 13 August under the theme “Creating Healing Spaces: R.E.S.T. - Restore, Empower, Strengthen, Thrive,” inviting young people, churches, and faith communities around the world to become active agents of healing, restoration, reconciliation, and hope.

Rev. Karin van den Broeke, World Council of Churches (WCC) central and executive committee member, was part of a WCC-led delegation that made a solidarity visit to Ukraine on 14-17 July. She also serves as the moderator of the WCC central committee programme subcommittee and as cochair of the WCC Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity Reference Group. She took time to reflect on the people she met, how they inspired her, and what she believes churches can do.  

Each year students from the three Abrahamic religions take part in an interfaith summer course at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, just outside Geneva, this year during Europe’s sweltering heatwave.

H.E. Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionias and Philadelphia, Church of Greece, World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee member and WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs commissioner, was part of a WCC-led delegation that made a solidarity visit to Ukraine on 14-17 July. He took time to reflect on the deep meaning of the time spent with Ukrainian churches, communities, and government officials.

An ecumenical delegation led by the World Council of Churches (WCC) met with representatives from the Ukrainian government, including deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Olena Kovalska, and head of the State Religious Service Viktor Yelensky.

Hundreds of religious officials, diplomats, and representatives from Ukraine gathered in Kyiv for a ceremonial reception on 16 July commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations.

A delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) made a solidarity visit to Ukraine on 14-17 July, walking in hope and praying with churches and communities for an end to the war. 

On 16 July, Prof. Dr Seng Ja Layang, professor of New Testament at the Kachin Theological College and Seminary (Myitkyina, Kachin State, Myanmar), shared her perspective with a lecture on the political situation in Myanmar and the role of Christians in that context.

Fast-Track Health and the World Council of Churches (WCC) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding establishing a strategic partnership to mobilize faith communities as key partners in advancing equitable, inclusive, and person-centered urban health across the global Fast-Track Cities network. 

A World Council of Churches (WCC) webinar, “Latin America: The relevance of international law in today's world: untangling the situation in Cuba and Venezuela,” held 16 July, explored what international law requires of the global community — and how churches should respond.