World Council of Churches

A “Life and Work” centenary conference opened on 18 May in Athens, with participants seeking a fresh commitment to unity of the church and of all humanity.

As the international conference “Berlin 1884–1885 and Anti-Black Racism: In Search of a Shared Anti-Racist Ecumenical Vision” opened on 18 May, those gathered in-person and online acknowledged that the deep wounds of colonialism carved 140 years ago are by no means healed. 

Noting the situation in Haiti has deteriorated markedly, the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, in a minute on Haiti, urged more international attention and engagement.

Visitors to the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 13 May included 22 students from an international initiative between HTWG Konstanz (Germany) and Elizabethtown College (USA), as well as Outi Piiroinen Backman from Tuusula, Finland.

From 14-17 May, an international symposium on Nicaea is taking place in Bucharest, organized by the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Faculty of Orthodox Theology "Justinian the Patriarch” University of Bucharest.  

In a report before the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, reflected on the urgent need for peace, the hope found in a common Easter, and the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and others whose lives still inspire and uphold the ecumenical movement. 

In his report to the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected on what it means—amid wars, rumours of wars, violence, trade wars, climate catastrophes, retaliations, and the quest for self-protection and preservation of identity—to be God’s family.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, in a statement, acknowledged that the people of the Philippines have long faced a complex web of challenges, including poverty, inequality, human rights violations, environmental degradation, and recurring natural disasters.

In a minute, the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee condemned the atrocities being perpetrated in Gaza by the State of Israel, recognizing that the current government is pursuing policies that are not supported by many Israelis.

Stop annexation, end the occupation,” a new, multi-faceted campaign running from 21 May to 11 June, will pave a path for just peace in Palestine and Israel.

There’s still time to join a landmark moment in global ecumenical reflection and justice advocacy. 

Moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay will attend the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, to be held 18 May in St Peter’s Square.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) will convene a webinar in collaboration with the Faiths for Biodiversity coalition and the ecumenical Season of Creation team on 22 May at 13:00 CEST. With the title "Biodiversity Crisis: Faith Action" the online event coincides with International Biodiversity Day, bringing together faith leaders, Indigenous communities, and environmental experts to address the 69 percent average loss in wildlife species abundance documented since 1970.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) has finalized its 2025 curriculum, methodology, and study material, marking a significant milestone in preparations for this transformative global ecumenical formation program.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) will provide both onsite and online services to accredited media in connection with two upcoming and simultaneously held ecumenical conferences in Berlin, Germany and Athens, Greece.

A delegation from the “Thank you, Doctor!” campaign visited the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 13 May. The global campaign seeks to value the humanizing role played by the primary care physician, also known as the family doctor, in the healthcare system and in society.

The World Council of Churches, in collaboration with HealthAI, Globethics, and the Christian Medical College of India, hosted a webinar, "Already/Not Yet: The Integration of AI and Healthcare,” on 13 May. 

The Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) of the World Council of Churches will hold a Life and Work Centenary conference on 18-20 May 2025 in Athens, Greece.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) extended condolences to the Pillay family upon the passing of Annapurani Pillay, mother of WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. 

At the "World of Work, Place of Hope" event held in Rome on 2 May, faith leaders, economists, and labour representatives gathered to address the intertwined challenges of climate justice and dignified work. Among the speakers, Athena Peralta, director of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, highlighted a critical upcoming milestone: COP30 and its focus on just transition.