Report of WCC central committee moderator In his report, Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, reflected on the urgent need for peace, the hope found in a common Easter, and the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and others whose lives still inspire and uphold the ecumenical movement. “A lot has happened since we met last time in Cyprus,” said Bedford-Strohm to the governing body. “We were witnesses of so many Good Friday experiences in the months since then.” Bedford-Strohm noted that empirical evidence so often seems to speak against keeping hope. “We desperately need backwind for our hope from other sources. We need the backwind of Easter,” he said. “Celebrating Easter on the same date this year in all our churches was a big theme in the media.” Bedford-Strohm called for strengthening all those who are committed to celebrating Easter together not as an exception but as a normality. Report of the WCC general secretary In a challenging world, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay called for unity and strength among churches, reflecting 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. The general secretary`s report focused on the four strategic objectives of the WCC and illustrated how these have been implemented in the period under review from November 2024 to mid-May 2025. The four objective are: to strengthen the fellowship, witness together, foster spirituality, and develop innovative and inspiring communication. Pillay’s report reflected on 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 general secretary also reported on previous decisions of the executive committee, the financial situation of the WCC and the Green Village project. “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. Statement and minutes The WCC executive committee released one statement and three minutes. Philippines. The statement acknowledged that the people of the Philippines have long faced a complex web of challenges, including poverty, inequality, human rights violations, environmental degradation, and recurring natural disasters. Gaza. In a minute, the WCC executive committee condemned the atrocities being perpetrated in Gaza by the State of Israel, recognizing that the current government is pursuing policies that are not supported by many Israelis. Haiti. Noting the situation in Haiti has deteriorated markedly, the WCC executive committee, in a minute on Haiti, urged more international attention and engagement. Myanmar. A minute on Myanmar lifted up the suffering of the people, churches, and faith communities of Myanmar for prayers, solidarity, advocacy, and action. Strengthening collaboration and preparing for central committee In reviewing plans for a mid-term evaluation, the executive committee requested that the evaluation include an analysis of collaboration with ACT Alliance, Christian world communions, and regional ecumenical organizations. The central committee will elect a mid-term evaluation working group that will report back in June 2025. In reviewing 2024 programme reports, the executive committee noted the wide scope and magnitude of WCC programmatic work, given the limited human and financial resources. The executive committee also forwarded the report of the working group on Palestine and Israel to the central committee for further discussion in a dedicated hearing session. The executive committee reviewed initial plans of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism for the conference on world mission in 2028, asking the commission to include a more visible connection to the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, as well as to a “theology of companionship.” The executive committee reviewed preparations for an “Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025-2035): Moving Together in Ecological Metanoia for Transformation,” asking for stronger links with the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity and more explicit reference to peace-building. The decade will be launched in Johannesburg at the central committee. The WCC governing body received the WCC communication strategy with appreciation, and discussed the need to explore the possible use of artificial intelligence responsibly to strengthen communications work. The executive committee discussed plans to elect a governance review working group, a regular process between assemblies. The working group will be elected by the central committee to review the WCC constitution and rules. The executive committee also reviewed the process and criteria for the second election of the executive committee, which will take place at the central committee. The second election includes a rotation in the membership of the executive committee to allow other members of the central committee to provide leadership from November 2026. The executive committee reviewed plans for the central committee in June. The meeting will be a significant pilgrimage encounter with the churches and people of South Africa. The agenda includes plenaries on South Africa, apostolic faith today, climate justice, and gender justice. Financial business The executive committee reviewed 2024 financial statements and the process for finalizing the 2024 audit in May 2025 with the WCC audit committee. In addition to receiving an update on the Green Village property development project, the WCC executive committee forwarded the report of the membership contributions working group to the central committee. The executive committee discussed the WCC general reserves policy in anticipation of a review by the central committee, including the purpose and the level of the reserve to be maintained. The executive committee discussed the need to align programme expenditures with financial forecasts. Most discussions centred around current programme activities and the necessity to implement programmes within approved budgets. Underscoring these discussions was the need for more synergy with and across global institutions, regional, and local contexts. WCC on Myanmar: “pray and act for peace, justice, and democracy” (WCC news release, 21 May 2025) As situation in Haiti deteriorates, WCC urges more international engagement (WCC news release, 16 May 2025) WCC executive committee condemns atrocities being perpetrated in Gaza (WCC news release, 15 May 2025) WCC “stands in solidarity with all victims of violence and injustice in the Philippines” (WCC news release, 15 May 2025) WCC central committee moderator: “we are called to be witnesses of Christ and his radical love" (WCC news release, 12 May 2025) In a challenging world, WCC general secretary calls for unity and strength among churches (WCC news release, 12 May 2025) WCC executive committee to convene with vision for future (WCC news release, 12 May 2025) | 
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