WCC NEWS: Celebratory event will discuss Black leaders’ contributions in WCC’s history

A public online celebration and panel discussion on 31 August, “They too were Gathered: Paying homage to Black people’s contributions to 75 years of World Council of Churches (WCC),” will uncover the contributions of Black people from different parts of the world in the formation and growth of the WCC. In January 1979, the WCC Central Committee met in Kingston, Jamaica. Major items discussed involved the Council’s involvement on issues such as militarism and disarmament, the struggle against racism and the issue of Hope and Unity. This picture shows (left) Bishop Desmond Tutu, general secretary of the South African Council of Churches, in conversation with Dr Philip Potter, WCC general secretary. Photo: WCC 14 August 2023 The day also coincides with the United Nations International Day for People of African Descent, which the WCC has faithfully marked in the past, including its special mention in the opening ceremony of the WCC 11th Assembly. While the participation of white Europeans and possibly North Americans has never been questioned in the history of the formation of the WCC, questions have been asked as to the role played by Black people, as well as people from Africa or in the diaspora in the history of the WCC. In 1948, the WCC was already acknowledging that there was a “race problem” in the world, including in churches in which the white supremacist ideology was impacting the Christian ideals of a healthy community. The WCC’s commitment to the humanity, dignity, and rights of Black people was further highlighted and strengthened in the launch of the Programme to Combat Racism in 1969 following the WCC 4th Assembly of 1968. As the WCC celebrates its 75th anniversary, one question and observation demands an answer: what has been the contribution of Black people to the rise and continued existence, even thriving of the WCC? Due to the influence and persistence of colonial ideology and culture, part of the history of the WCC has not escaped from the whitewashing of positive contributions with blackness reduced in visibility and significance. Among the questions that will guide the conversation and celebration are “What was the contribution of Black people to the formation and launch of the WCC and who were some of the leading individuals?” and “Who have been some of the Black stalwarts of the WCC from 1948 to the present?” The event will aim to recover the legacy of Black contributions and to reimagine future Black contributions to the health and wellbeing of the WCC. Registration is available here 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 general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. 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