WCC news: In a challenging world, WCC general secretary calls for unity and strength among churches

In his report to the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected on what it means—amid wars, rumours of wars, violence, trade wars, climate catastrophes, retaliations, and the quest for self-protection and preservation of identity—to be God’s family. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 12 May 2025 Pillay’s report to the executive committee covered the period between November 2024 to mid-May 2025, reflecting how the WCC has tried to remain faithful to its Christian witness together in a world in which upheaval, instability, and uncertainty are impacting countries, continents, and people. “The call for prophetic witness and speaking truth to power is needed but for that to be a sound and strong message from churches requires unity and strength,” said Pillay.  Pillay also summarized the WCC’s four strategic objectives: strengthening the fellowship and deepening solidarity and community; witnessing together as transforming disciples; encouraging spirituality, reflection, and formation; and fostering innovative and inspiring communication.  “Strengthening the fellowship and deepening solidarity and community remains a key objective of the WCC,” said Pillay. “Given the realities we face that challenge unity, perpetuate injustices, and deny life-affirming tendencies, it is imperative that the WCC continues to build and widen the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.” Pillay noted that the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity urges us to address and witness to our faith and hope in Jesus Christ in really challenging times. “Christian witness in this context is critical and essential,”  he said. “We need to stand up, speak out, and act together in the context of injustice and global challenges.” Pillay also noted that spirituality is the foundational aspect of the WCC’s work and witness as a fellowship. “Thus, prayer remained central to the life of the fellowship,” he said.  Pillay reflected that communication from the WCC in 2024-2025, through storytelling via many channels, fostered unity in unprecedented ways across the world. “From the largest global prayer gathering, to 2.3 million engagements on social media, to large numbers of young visitors both in-person and online, WCC communications connected with more people, in more ways than ever,” he said.  Pillay also addressed the WCC’s peace initiatives, solidarity, and witness amid conflicts and humanitarian crises in Ukraine and Russia, Palestine and Israel, Sudan, and many other nations and communities across the world that are facing dire and divisive situations.  The WCC executive committee is convening 12-16 May via video conference. Read the full report WCC central committee moderator: “we are called to be witnesses of Christ and his radical love" (WCC news release, 12 May 2025) WCC executive committee to convene with vision for future (WCC news release, 12 May 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