World Council of Churches

Our series of interviews with Thursdays in Black ambassadors highlights those who are playing a vital role in increasing the impact of our collective call for a world without rape and violence. Rev. Dr Dagmar Pruin is president of Bread for the World (Germany).

At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim Kykotis of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, a longstanding participant in COPs as part of the World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation, highlighted the critical role of faith in addressing the climate crisis. He underscored the need for ecological repentance and the pivotal role of youth leadership in advancing climate justice.

The Canadian Council of Churches and World Council of Churches (WCC) invite all to a conversation on 5 December on the one ecumenical movement in Canada and the world.

World Council of Churches moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm addressed the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe on 2 December, during a conference in Frankfurt commemorating the 60th anniversary of the commission.

Together with churches from the Mediterranean region, an online consultation on 9 December will explore the opportunities to address desertification through responsible banking.

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay is currently attending a roundtable meeting from 2-3 December with the 2033 Table Leadership Consultation of Empowered21 in New York City. 

Guided by the theme “See the Signs,” staff of the World Council of Churches and its partner organizations from the Ecumenical Centre gathered for an Advent celebration in St Hippolyte Roman Catholic Church in Geneva on 2 December.

During a World Council of Churches (WCC) prayer on 2 December, those gathered commemorated World AIDS Day, which was observed 1 December, and also prayed with the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle for the people and churches of Myanmar and Thailand.

A new publication, TUMEWEZA: Compendium of Good Practices for Ensuring Disability-Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender-Based Violence Services in United Republic of Tanzania, debuted on 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

World Council of Churches (WCC) programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba shared a presentation on the Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, and its 1700th anniversary to be commemorated in 2025, with Partners in Global Mission (Anglican Communion). 

A 21-person delegation from the National Council of Churches in Korea visited the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 28-29 November. 

A delegation from Iraq, including representatives of Zoroastrian religious communities, visited the World Council of Churches (WCC), expressing appreciation for the ways in which the WCC continues to promote inclusive citizenship in Iraq.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) launched the inaugural edition of the Living Planet Monitor (LPM) publication, marking a significant step in addressing the interconnection between land, water, food, and climate justice.

When the team preparing the spiritual life for the forthcoming World Conference on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches (WCC) gathered in Florida, they did so at a Roman Catholic seminary at the invitation of a bishop of The Episcopal Church.

Rev. Dr Semisi Turagavou, president of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, attended the recent World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting. He reflected on the unique needs in Fiji, as well as other Pacific islands, and spoke of the inspiration he drew from meeting with the WCC governing body.

In connection with the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Church of Norway, Norwegian Church Aid, Stefanus Alliance, and The Norwegian Council on Religions and Life Stance Communities organized an exhibit and seminar through which Yazidi women expressed their trauma though art therapy and storytelling. 

A video is now available of a webinar, “Theology and Artificial Intelligence: Systematic and Denominational Perspectives,” co-organized by the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches (WCC), that analyzed challenges posed by generative AI and trans-humanism for theological aspects such as the personhood and the image of God, the meaning of the Incarnation, and the Trinity.

Director of the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing Dr Manoj Kurian addressed the Conference on Pastoral Psychiatry in Moscow, which gathered 22-23 November.

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay will visit Canada from 4-9 December, a visit during which he will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Canadian Council of Churches, as well as meet with member churches and ecumenical organizations in Canada.

In a statement released on 22 November, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem reflected on the commemoration of the religious observances of Advent and Christmas in the midst of the continuing war.