World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance appeal to Mozambique’s President to tackle “unacceptable violence” in northern and central provinces
The World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance has expressed concern over the number of violent attacks involving armed groups in the country’s northern and central provinces in recent years and urged Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi to intervene and “put an end to these atrocities”. In a letter to the President, the WCC, which represents more […]
World Council of Churches “dismayed” over Hagia Sophia shift; Pope Francis “deeply pained”
Frankfurt, Germany/Vatican CityAP The head of the World Council of Churches has written to Turkey’s President expressing his “grief and dismay” over Turkey’s decision to change the status of Istanbul’s landmark Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque. As a World Heritage museum, “Hagia Sophia has been a place of openness, encounter and inspiration […]
Churches call for steps towards peace on the Korean Peninsula
Churches from across the world have joined in calling for steps to be taken towards peace on the Korean Peninsula in a statement released on Monday ahead of the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War this week. In a joint ‘Ecumenical Peace Message’, church ecumenical organisations from across the world called for […]
World Council of Churches rejects violence and racial injustice
The World Council of Churches has rejected “the brutality of both violence and racial injustice” in relation to the killing of black American man George Floyd and the unrest which has rocked the US city of Minneapolis in recent days. In a statement issued on Friday, the WCC said: “As part of our Christian understanding […]
Former WCC head installed as presiding bishop of the Church of Norway
Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, former general secretary of the World Council of Churches, was installed as the presiding bishop of the Church of Norway’s bishops’ conference on Sunday. The service, held at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway, was conducted in accordance with social distancing restrictions and live-streamed internationally. Tveit, who was also consecrated as Bishop […]
Christians invited to join global day of prayer to end coronavirus pandemic on 14th May
Christians around the world have been invited to join in a global day of prayer for God to end the COVID-19 pandemic on 14th May. The day is a joint initiative between the World Council of Churches and the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, of which the WCC is part. Rev Prof Dr Ioan Sauca, […]
On Earth Day, Pope says nature will not forgive our trespasses
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis made an impassioned plea for protection of the environment on Wednesday’s 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, saying the coronavirus pandemic had shown that some challenges had to be met with a global response. Francis praised the environmental movement, saying it was necessary for young people to “take to the […]
World Council of Churches and US National Council of Churches call on Trump to reverse WHO funding decision
The World Council of Churches has joined with the National Council of Churches (USA) in urging US President Donald Trump to reverse his decision to suspend funding of the World Health Organization. In a statement released on Thursday, Rev Prof Dr Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary of the World Council of Churches, expressed “deep dismay” that […]
World Council of Churches joins in Pope’s call for Wednesday prayer over coronavirus outbreak
The World Council of Churches has called for Christians across the world to join in praying the Lord’s Prayer at noon, Rome time, on Wednesday, 25th March, as the world continues to grapple with the expanding coronavirus pandemic. The call for prayer was first issued by Pope Francis who extended an invitation to all Christians […]
New acting general secretary named for World Council of Churches
Fr Prof Ioan Sauca has been appointed acting general secretary of the World Council of Churches from 1st April. Sauca, who currently serves as deputy general secretary for the WCC program on ecumenical formation and the Bossey Ecumenical Institute, will temporarily replace Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit who leaves the WCC on 31st March to take […]