WCC NEWS: 100 years later, ecumenists will gather in Stockholm again

In 1925, archbishop of Sweden Nathan Söderblom, gathered more than 600 church leaders from 37 countries for a historic meeting in Stockholm. A century later, church leaders from around the globe will again convene in the Swedish capital, to commemorate the 1925 meeting and the achievements of the ecumenical movement ever since. View of Stockholm, Sweden. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 03 June 2025 Hosted by the Christian Council of Sweden, the ecumenical week will aim to strengthen common efforts for peace, reconciliation, and Christian fellowship. With more than 60 public seminars, worship services, and cultural events on the agenda, the event is expected to attract large audiences. It will take place 18-24 August in different locations around the Swedish capital.  WCC central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and Rev. Dr Susan Durber, WCC president from Europe will participate.  Just as in 1925, the worship service in the Storkyrkan cathedral will be attended by the king and queen of Sweden, along with the prime minister, government officials, church leaders, and international guests. Confirmed participants include:  His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. His Excellency Archbishop Flavio Pace, secretary at the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, Vatican. Most Rev. Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York. Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC central committee moderator.    Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary. Rev. Dr Susan Durber, WCC president from Europe. Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, general secretary, Lutheran World Federation. Prof. Dr Azza Karam, CEO, Lead Integrity and former secretary general of Religions for Peace. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, general secretary, ACT Alliance. A complete programme will be communicated as soon as it is finalized. Meanwhile, please see: Programme Ecumenical Week in Stockholm, 18-24 August Ecumenical year in Sweden makes “Time for God’s peace” (WCC feature story of 12 February 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