World Council of Churches

The World Council of Churches (WCC) delivered a statement on the human rights situation of Armenian hostages at the 58th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council. 

Rev. Dr Mikie Roberts, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive for Spiritual Life and Faith and Order, is visiting Australia, where he shared the spirit and nuances of music-making, songwriting, and cross-confessional theology with students at the United Theological College in Sydney. 

A new group from the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel have released a report on incidents in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley, and South Hebron Hills. 

In its most recent meeting, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on World Mission and Evangelism heard updates from its three working groups, and continued to map plans for a world mission conference in 2028. 

A side event to the UN Human Rights Council titled “Registration and Legal Status of Places of Worship: Negative Impacts on Religious Minorities” was co-organized by the World Evangelical Alliance, Anglican Communion, World Council of Churches (WCC), Open Doors International, and Stefanus Alliance in Geneva.

Hagop Djernazian, with other young Armenians from Jerusalem, has just returned from a global US tour that included the cities of New York, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, DC. He took time to describe their 10 days of raising awareness to protect Armenian land in Jerusalem. 

It was with much sadness that I received news of the death of dear Archbishop Anastasios of Albania. I count it as one of the great privileges of my life to have worked closely with him when we were both Presidents of the World Council of Churches from the Assembly at Porto Alegre in 2006 to the Assembly in Busan in 2013. 

An African Orthodox theologian underlined the significance of the 1700th anniversary of the first Council of Nicaea, and the importance of African Christianity, as activities marking the historical event gain momentum across the world.

A diverse group of nearly 50 church leaders, representatives of various faith traditions, ecumenical organizations, Indigenous communities, and climate experts are gathered in Brazil's capital from 18-20 March to coordinate efforts for meaningful engagement in the lead-up to COP30, the 2025 United Nations Climate Conference. Their central concern: ensuring that local voices are heard.

As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering peace in Colombia, the World Council of Churches (WCC) has announced a transition in its representation in that country’s peace process.

The first of a series of webinars on Christian unity, “The Bishop of Rome and Christian Unity,” offered on 18 March, drew more than 200 people. 

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended congratulations to His Beatitude John, Archbishop-elect of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania.

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed deep alarm and grief over the deadly attack on Gaza carried out by Israeli forces on 17-18 March, killing more than 400 people.

As climate change continues to devastate vulnerable communities worldwide, the World Council of Churches (WCC) called on the UN Human Rights Council to address the "climate-debt-tax-human rights nexus as a moral imperative." The statement, delivered by Rev. Peter Adenekan during the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, highlighted how debt obligations are preventing governments in developing countries from meeting basic human rights and responding effectively to the climate emergency.

Rev. Nicole Ashwood, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive for Just Community of Women and Men, is part of a delegation attending the United Nations 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). She took time to reflect on the delegation’s goals, why church involvement is so critical, and what it will take for transformation to happen. 

Sylvia Raulo, who has been seconded by the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission to work with the World Council of Churches, was honored with the Cross of St Henry by Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. Awarded once annually to one person, the Cross of St Henry is the highest ecclesiastical decoration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. Raulo took time to reflect on the award and her inspiration for her work in pursuit of Christian unity and a just world. 

Faith leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean will gather in Brasília, Brazil, 18-20 March, to reflect on the current reality of the climate crisis and to plan for an effective engagement in the run up to COP30, the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The World Council of Churches (WCC), in collaboration with UN agencies and interfaith partners, invites global faith-based actors, civil society leaders, policymakers, and international affairs experts to register for the 11th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs, to be held on hybrid mode in New York City on 3 April.

As economic inequality reaches alarming levels, faith leaders, economists, and justice advocates will gather for the 6th Meeting of the Ecumenical Panel on a New International Financial and Economic Architecture (NIFEA) from 25-27 March in Geneva. Organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in collaboration with the World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Methodist Council, and Council for World Mission, the meeting will focus on urgent economic reforms for a more just and sustainable future.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is mourning the death of Mary Ann Lundy, a Presbyterian Church (USA) lay leader known for her leadership in the sanctuary movement.