WCC news: As Presbyterian Church in Taiwan celebrates 160 years, WCC offers special greetings

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay commemorated the 160th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan with special greetings reflecting on the anniversary theme “Dwelling in God`s Abundance.”  Photo: PCT Press 23 April 2025 On 23 April, Pillay preached during a service commemorating the anniversary. “You have chosen an appropriate theme for this anniversary celebration,” said Pillay. “Easter speaks of God`s abundant love.” The church that dwells in God`s justice, Pillay continued, cannot remain idle and detached from the concerns of the world around us. “The church is tasked to accept and live out its prophetic witness, proclaiming Christ and God`s justice in the world,” he said. “Unfortunately, too many churches are caught up with the notion of success viewed in power, wealth, and numbers.” Pillay noted that, often, we think abundance is equated to success and power. “However, what we learn from the example of Jesus is that it is not success that matters but faithfulness,” he said. “Faithfulness to God and faithful witness to God in a struggling and suffering world.” Speaking about the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, Pillay concluded: “You have maintained this faithful witness.”  Pillay is also attending the 70th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, being held from 22-24 April. Read the full sermon by the WCC general secretary Photo gallery In Taiwan, WCC general secretary reflects “we are to be agents of justice and reconciliation” (WCC news release, 22 April 2025) WCC general secretary to share in Presbyterian Church in Taiwan 70th General Assembly (WCC news release, 17 April 2025) 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: In Taiwan, WCC general secretary reflects “we are to be agents of justice and reconciliation”

As World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay visited Taiwan to attend the 70th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, he shared reflections on transitional justice.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 22 April 2025 The assembly is being held 22-24 April under the theme “Inspire a Life of Faith - Seeking God’s House of Abundance.” Pillay delivered a lecture on 22 April on the “Transitional Justice Experience of South Africa: The Role of the Church.”  “The global church has much to learn from and to emulate in your tumultuous and consequential history of prophetic discipleship in Taiwan,” Pillay said, who then spoke of the context of South Africa.  “In this context, I want to especially underline the role and contributions of churches and other faith communities to dismantle apartheid,” he said. “The marvellous thing that happened was that religious leaders and community-based organisations stood together to fight against the apartheid regime.” Pillay then posed the question: what can we say about the elements and processes of real reconciliation?  “The WCC puts a lot of time, effort, and resources into addressing conflicts in the world, and our work in peace and reconciliation is one of our strongest programme areas,” he said. “As disciples of Jesus, we are to be agents of justice and reconciliation.” Read the full lecture by Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay WCC general secretary to share in Presbyterian Church in Taiwan 70th General Assembly (WCC news release, 17 April 2025) 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

RNS Morning Report - As the first Latin American pope, Francis shifted the Catholic Church's center

Top Stories As the first Latin American pope, Francis shifted the Catholic Church’s center (RNS) — Drawing on Latin American theology that emphasizes collaboration, developed in response to continued struggles with colonialism, Francis pushed for a Catholic Church with broader inclusion of people on the margins.   Veterans Affairs asks employees in email to report ‘anti-Christian bias’ (RNS) — The email, prompted by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February, makes no mention of how to report bias or discrimination against other faiths.   Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival flaunts NYC creative spirit, religious coexistence NEW YORK (RNS) — In a city that thrives on self-expression, the Easter festival has transformed into a stage for personal identity, whimsy and protest.   Archbishop of Canterbury resigned six months ago. We’ll have a new pope before he’s replaced. LONDON (RNS) — A new archbishop will not only need to lead the British church but play a significant role in the Anglican Communion.   RNS Opinion Francis, a pope of many firsts: 5 essential reads (The Conversation) — Pope Francis was not one to shy away from controversial issues, whether inside or outside the church.   Before the conclave, cardinals will talk and politick (RNS) — Although overtly campaigning to be pope is discouraged and would be counterproductive, the cardinals do a lot of politicking in private prior to the conclave.   ICYMI Holding tickets for Rome, Vatican pilgrims pivot from saint canonization to papal funeral (RNS) — Tens of thousands of people planned to be at the Vatican this week for the canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint.   135 cardinals will elect the next pope. Francis picked 108 of them. (RNS) — Francis, who died April 21 at age 88, stands to have an outsize impact on the vote for his successor. In Other News Historic Maryland church opens doors to visitors 320 years after closing down Even in Sickness, Pope Francis Reached Out to Gaza’s Christians   Depend on our reporting? Help us out! As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. You can support this work! News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

WCC news: WCC mourns loss of Pope Francis, “extraordinary shepherd of the people of God”

In a pastoral letter on the death of Pope Francis, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and WCC central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm expressed both deep sorrow and unwavering hope upon the passing of Pope Francis on 21 April.  Pope Francis during his visit to the WCC on June 2018. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 22 April 2025 “On this holiest of days, when we celebrate the triumph of life over death through our Risen Lord, the earthly journey of a faithful servant of God came to its close and his eternal rest began – in the peace of Christ, in the love of the Father, and in the communion of the Holy Spirit,” wrote Pillay and Bedford-Strohm.  “Together with the entire Roman Catholic Church, we at the World Council of Churches mourn the loss of an extraordinary shepherd of the people of God.”  Pillay and Bedford-Strohm reflected that Pope Francis will be remembered with gratitude and love by Christians and all people of good will around the world.  “Throughout his ministry, Pope Francis offered a prophetic voice for our times,” the letter reads. "His witness to the Gospel, his heartfelt call for Christian unity, and his tireless advocacy for the marginalized have left an indelible mark on the global Christian community.” Pope Francis lived his life in full devotion to God and the church, Pillay and Bedford-Strohm noted.  “We recall with gratitude Pope Francis’s historic visit to the World Council of Churches and the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in 2018, a moment that symbolized his deep commitment to Christian unity,” wrote Pillay and Bedford-Strohm. “The WCC leadership appreciated special private meetings with Pope Francis to discuss matters of mutual ecumenical interest and concerns.” Notably, Pope Francis was also a committed advocate for a common date of Easter for all Christians, continued Pillay and Bedford-Strohm. “It is therefore deeply symbolic that he passed away in the very year when all Christians celebrates the Feast of the Resurrection on the same day – an occasion he longed and prayed for,” the letter reads. “On behalf of the World Council of Churches, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his friends, collaborators in the Vatican, to the entire Roman Catholic Church, and to the whole ecumenical family.” Read the full letter Pope Francis, ecumenical prophet of mercy, dies at age 88 (WCC obituary, 21 April 2025) 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland