“On behalf of the World Council of Churches and its global fellowship, I am honoured to bring greetings and best wishes to this your joyful and reverent quincentennial celebration of Anabaptist confession, witness, and discipleship,” he said. “Historically, the courageous yet extremely costly witness of the Anabaptist movement and its founders from 1525 offered a critical correction to the churches, prophetically pointing them to the radical message and example of Jesus and its pertinence for authentic Christian discipleship in the world.” Pillay reflected that, over the centuries and across the continents, Anabaptists have demonstrated their deep desire to adhere not only to the words of Jesus and the example of the early church but also to a radical commitment to nonviolence, insistence on religious freedom, a clear countercultural critique of secular power, and decisive confession and witness for peace and justice in the world. “As a creative and committed minority, firmly rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the witness of the early churches, you stand as a beacon for all of us, illuminating for the larger church and society the ways of peace and hope,” said Pillay. “Indeed, we continue to learn from you.” Anabaptists have so much to contribute to today's most pressing challenges—whether of climate, inequality, racism, or war, Pillay noted. “Legitimated and inspired by your costly historical witness to the larger church, may you always be champions of unity, advocates for justice, and agents of reconciliation,” he said. “May that legacy of faith endure and flourish for many centuries henceforth.” Read the full message Learn more about the commemorations of the 500 years of the Anabaptist movement | 
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