Wednesday, October 29, 2025

WCC NEWS: Faith and Order conference closes with pledge to transform words into living action and witness

As the World Council of Churches (WCC) Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order closed on 28 October, in addition to releasing an “Ecumenical Affirmation” and a “Call to All Christians,” participants pledged to bring the fruits of their prayers and dialogue to many churches and communities across the world in ways that show living action and witness.
28 October 2025, Wadi El Natrun, Egypt: Closing session of the World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order taking place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC
29 October 2025

Those gathered expressed deep gratitude to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and to the Coptic Orthodox Church for hosting the conference— held 24-28 October at the Logos Papal Center at Wadi El Natrun, Egypt—with a deeply spiritual sense of hospitality. 

During a closing blessing, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church reflected that the church is still called to be a witness in the same way it was called 1700 years ago at the Council of Nicaea. 

This gathering unites us in the spirit of Nicaea—the spirit of faith, reflection, and the continued call to cooperation and love among all churches,” he said. "This unity can only be achieved through theological dialogue among the churches.”

Today’s church can still proclaim the voice of truth and love, noted His Holiness Pope Tawadros II. Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ, as we conclude the work of this conference, we pray that God may bless all that has been shared in theology, in dialogue, and that it may be transformed into living action and witness in our work.”

Rev. Prof. Dr Stephanie Dietrich, moderator of the WCC Faith and Order Commission, reflected on the conference’s journey together. We have asked: Where now for visible unity?” she said, citing the theme of the conference. 

How has our journey been together towards visible unity?” Dietrich asked. In our prayer life these five days, we have shared much wisdom from the desert fathers.”

WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay noted that the conversations during the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order started before the event and will extend long after. We have found one another in the bond of unity, and in the spirit of Christ that comes to us to bring us together in that bond of unity,” he said. Coming together as different churches, 356 member churches, is not an easy task!”

Pillay also reflected that the question had already been asked: What do we take back with us?

Ecumenism does not stop at a conference door,” said Pillay. Ecumenism must reach the pews.”

Dr Andrej Jeftić, director of the WCC Faith and Order Commission, referred to the remarkable days spent together. Over these five days we have been weaving something together: Our words, our actions, our prayers, and our pilgrimage into the beautiful fabric of this conference,” he said. 

Livestream video of the closing plenary session 

Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order issues “Call to All Christians” (WCC news release, 28 October 2025)

Deepening Unity, Journeying in Love, Restoring Hope: Ecumenical Affirmation

Call to all Christians: Message of the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order

Message from GETI: “announce with prophetic courage the hope which dwells within us” (WCC news story, 28 October 2025)

Conference livestreams and recordings

Photogallery: Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, 2025

Learn more about the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order

28 October 2025, Wadi El Natrun, Egypt: His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church gives a concluding reflection, including the presentation of a special gift, during the closing session of the World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order taking place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” Photo:Albin Hillert/WCC
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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.

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