During her inaugural visit to the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva, the chair of the Council of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD), Bishop Kirsten Fehrs, emphasised the importance of the ecumenical movement: “Especially in times of global crisis, we need international and ecumenical organisations such as the WCC more than ever. We can only face the challenges posed by the climate crisis, racism and the escalating wars and violence around the world by working together.” The fellowship of 356 member churches of the WCC is crucial for discussing faith and order and highlighting global Christian perspectives. The three-day exchange between the EKD delegation and the WCC leadership, which began on Monday, focuses on deepening ecumenical cooperation on issues such as peace, security and education. The General Secretary of the WCC, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, emphasised: “In these difficult times of many global crises, it is imperative that Christians and people of good will work together for justice, peace, reconciliation and unity of all human beings and all creation. The WCC is grateful to the many member churches, ecumenical partners and organisations who partner and collaborate with us in the endeavours to create a better and peaceful world which is so much needed at this time amidst violence, wars and a climate catastrophe. Among such partners is the EKD with whom we have enjoyed partnership, support and unwavering commitment to the WCC over many years. This visit to the Ecumenical Centre by the new leadership of EKD, which was planned earlier this year, is a further and strong indication of EKD’s continued commitment to the WCC’s work and witness in the world.” EKD Council Chair Kirsten Fehrs is accompanied by Council member Stefan Werner and the EKD's foreign bishop, Bishop Frank Kopania. In addition to General Secretary Pillay, WCC moderator Heinrich Bedford-Strohm is also taking part in the meeting. In the discussions on peacebuilding, the participants also addressed the statement issued by the Central Committee of the WCC on Palestine and Israel in June 2025. “We share our concern for the people in the region and our common struggle for paths to peace,“ emphasised EKD Council Chair Fehrs. At the same time, the EKD delegation once again made it clear that it rejects the use of the term ‘apartheid’ for both factual and dialogue-related reasons. “Our goal is to open dialogue and not let the fragile threads of communication that still exist break down. Words that deepen divides threaten this goal,“ said the Council Chair. She strongly condemned again the brutality of Hamas and their part of responsibility for the inhuman situation in Gaza. In line with their focus on dialogue, the EKD will consistently continue and deepen its close exchange with the WCC. The WCC General Secretary, the Rev Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, expressed his appreciation to EKD for making clear their disagreement on the use of the word ‘apartheid’ as an appropriate description of Israel and its relationship to Palestine, and for the cordial spirit in which we can discuss this matter. He emphasized that the Central Committee’s statement on this matter was motivated by the struggles of the Palestinian people for freedom and recognition, and guided by relevant principles and determinations of international law – especially the advisory opinion rendered by the International Court of Justice in July 2024. He also reiterated that though this was not an easy decision for the WCC, it was impelled by the catastrophic situation in Gaza which has dramatized the critical necessity of accountability to international law and was arrived at through deep conversations and prayerful discernment. Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, acknowledged that there are different opinions on whether the term ‘apartheid’ is appropriate to describe the situation of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. “However, the discussion about that cannot turn away our attention from the starvation that is happening right now in Gaza and which claims more victims daily, especially among children as the most vulnerable,” he said. “Every political move in this situation can only have one goal: the terrible suffering on all sides must end and the door to a peaceful coexistence of both Israelis and Palestinians must be opened,” he added. The programme in Geneva also includes a joint visit to the UN, the Lutheran World Federation and ACT Alliance, as well as a meeting with the German ambassador, Nikola Gillhoff. The EKD delegation will also visit the WCC's training facility, the Ecumenical Institute Bossey, where students from all over the world and from different denominational traditions come together as a living and learning community. This press release is being sent simultaneously by the press offices of the EKD and the WCC. We apologize for any duplicate mailings. Photo gallery: EKD leadership visits the WCC and UN in Geneva Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) | 
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