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