World Council of Churches

Rev. Detlev Knoche recently retired as director of the Ecumenical Centre of the Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau and of the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck. He took time to reflect on his inspirations, people along the way, and the importance of journeying together. 

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended condolences to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, upon the passing of His Eminence Metropolitan Pakhomious, Metropolitan of Beheira, Matrouh, and the Five Western Cities, and Abbot of St. Macarius of Alexandria Monastery in Mount Al-Qalali.

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended greetings to all Muslims across the world on the joyous occasion of the Eid al Fitr. 

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended condolences to those who lost loved ones and invited prayer and support for the people of Myanmar and Thailand in the wake of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar, with aftershocks in Thailand, on 28 March.  

Lutheran Bishop Medardo Gómez from El Salvador passed away on 27 March at the age of 80.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing held its fourth meeting, mapping its future in what its leaders defined as “a new world order.”

The Kingdom of Bahrain hosted an Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The event, with over 400 participants, aimed to foster unity and consensus within the Islamic world in response to contemporary challenges.

The Second Africa-Europe Ecumenical Forum on Migration was held 17-21 March in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, organized by the All Africa Conference of Churches and the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME). 

Prof. Rastko Jovic, from Serbia, reflects in a WCC video interview about the World Council of Churches (WCC) Just Community of Women and Men programme—and how using theology to underscore justice will inspire churches globally. 

Katie Reimer, executive director of the World Day of Prayer International Committee, visited the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 25-26 March to learn more about WCC Communications, library and archives, Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, and the Just Community of Women and Men programme. 

Rev. Peter Adewale Adenekan, from Nigeria, is a master's student at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. He is focusing his research on the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development. He reflects on what led him on this unique scholarly path, and his hopes for change. 

Speaking before the German network ProOikoumene on 26 March, Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, World Council of Churches programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace, delivered a lecture entitled "Prophetic Theology, Prophetic Church – in Times of Multiple Crises.”

In the year that marks the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, a two-day conference in Paris has explored the significance of the outcomes of the council for communicating faith today.

The World Council of Churches (WCC), in a briefing organized by Sabeel, raised awareness of freedom of worship and the need to protect the Status Quo in Jerusalem. 

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. 

“Just Digital,” an online course aiming to help individuals and groups navigate wisely online and advocate effectively, is newly available in French and Spanish.

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. 

The newly published resource "Hope for Children Through Climate Justice: Legal Tools to Hold Financiers Accountable" provides churches and communities essential legal tools designed to hold financial actors accountable for their role in perpetuating the climate crisis.

Nearly 50 church leaders, faith representatives, ecumenical organizations, Indigenous community members, and climate experts convened in Brazil to issue a powerful call for climate action ahead of COP30.

As the global community prepares for critical climate negotiations at COP30, faith groups worldwide are mobilising their moral voice through a series of strategic webinars organised by the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The World Council of Churches (WCC), serving as co-chair of the Interfaith Liaison Committee, will lead this interfaith initiative to develop a unified Talanoa Call to Action that bridges spiritual values with climate justice imperatives.