WCC NEWS: Regarding false media reporting on Israel and Dr Pillay

Since the election in mid-June of Rev. Dr Prof. Jerry Pillay as new World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, concerns have been raised, predominantly in Jewish media, about his position on Israel and the Jewish communities and their faith. Israeli flags wave by the Beit Ottorot settlement on the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 22 June 2022 The WCC general secretary-elect underscores that under his leadership the WCC will continue to desire and uphold cordial relationships with the Jewish communities. “I support the Jewish people preserving their identity and practicing their religious beliefs and values. I believe that all religions must be respected and people of all faiths—and no faith—must work together to create a world of justice and peace in which we express love, unity and reconciliation,” Pillay says. “This stance has been and continues to be that of the World Council of Churches, and it would never elect a leader who practiced or preached antisemitism in any way, shape or form. The WCC continues to promote and nurture justice and peace, and has consistently raised concerns about issues of justice in Israel and Palestine.” Consequently, the WCC will continue to stand firmly behind United Nations (UN) resolutions on the occupied territories and speak out against all forms of injustice, regardless of where or who they come from.   “Our perspectives are always from the perspective of a Christian witness—a point of view in which human rights, justice and peace are cornerstones. We are a faith-based – not a political – organization and part of a worldwide fellowship confessing the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour,” Pillay adds.            Pillay added that he stands behind the WCC policies on the Holy Land, most recently expressed in a public statement by the WCC central committee on 18 June that WCC reiterates a “constant call for an end to the occupation, and for equal human rights for all” in the Holy Land.  WCC reiterates “constant call for an end to the occupation, and for equal human rights for all” in the Holy Land (WCC press release, 18 June 2022) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland