RNS Morning Report: “A divided church has no message to a divided world,” says WCC general secretary to GETI

Speaking at the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) on 23 October, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), delivered an address titled “Do We Need Church Unity?” urging Christians worldwide to embrace unity as a divine calling and a practical necessity for healing a broken world. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 23 October 2025 Pillay reminded GETI participants that Christian unity is central to the witness and mission of the church. “A divided church has no message to a divided world,” he said. In his address, Pillay linked the need for unity to the global “polycrisis” – a convergence of climate change, poverty, conflict, injustice, and political instability. “In such a context, Christian unity matters more than ever. We must be one in proclaiming justice, reconciliation, and hope.” He outlined four key pillars of this call to unity: justice, love, peace, and hope. “The church must be a prophetic voice for justice in the face of poverty, violence, and oppression; a living expression of love and reconciliation in a divided world; a peacemaker amid growing global conflict; and a beacon of hope in times of despair,” said Pillay. “Christian unity is not optional,” he concluded. “It is an obligation — obedience to Christ’s prayer that we may all be one. In unity we glorify God, transform the world, and make visible the power of love to heal and reconcile creation.” The in-person session of GETI is being held from 12–29 October at the Saint Bishoy Monastery in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, alongside the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order. Read the full text of the WCC general secretary's presentation to GETI GETI 2025 photo gallery Learn more about GETI 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 356 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