The meeting followed the WCC general secretary’s statement on 15 January emphasizing that the people of Greenland have an inalienable right to self-determination and are on a clear pathway to independence, that their rights and views must be seriously considered and respected, and that the US Government’s stated determination to own and control Greenland is in diametric opposition to the wishes of the people of Greenland and to their political trajectory towards independence, and is tantamount to neocolonialism. The WCC convened the urgent cross-regional exchange to hear testimony of the impacts of these events on the churches in the countries and territories most directly affected, and to share information on responses and initiatives by the churches in the affected countries and territories and in the USA in reaction to these developments. The meeting opened with a prayer led by Most Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, Church of Norway presiding bishop. Bishop Paneeraq Siegstad Munk, from the Diocese of Greenland said: “What we need to know in Greenland is that we are not alone. We are used to having to wait until the snowstorm is over for the sun to come back.” Munk emphasized that the message of hope is important in this time. “That is why God created other people, so that we can support each other together,” said Munk. “Thank you for praying for peace and speaking out for the importance of human rights, Indigenous rights, and – not least – international agreements.” Words cannot always convey how people from Greenland feel, Munk added. “I will think and listen for myself about how we from Greenland can contribute to the good of the world community, preach, and bear witness to Christ in this world.” Birger Nygaard, general secretary of the Interchurch Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark, reflected on the group’s spiritual bonds. “This should help us to learn not to let Trump set the agenda of our minds every day,” said Nygaard. “We hope that maybe now we are getting back to a more normal situation where we can redirect our attention to other truly serious situations where thousands are killed in Ukraine every month.” Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie, president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, said: “We are praying with you, we are standing with you, we are being vocal. We will not be silent about Greenland and our siblings across the world. Rev. Dr Terri Hord Owens, vice chair of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, said: “We will continue to speak out and encourage our churches, our clergy to be visible in their resistance and stand up for the liberties that God has granted us.” Archbishop Dr Tapio Louma, from Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, said: “These are the times when we really need each other as churches. We must stand together in solidarity and raise our voices.” Peter Noteboom, general secretary of The Canadian Council of Churches, said: “Continuous multilateral ecumenical collaboration among countries and churches in the Global North is fruitful.” Bishop Annie Ittoshat, from the Diocese of the Arctic, Anglican Church of Canada, said: “Spiritually we have to be in one accord, because we are one in Christ. This gathering is important because we are in a spiritual warfare.” Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith, from the National Baptist Convention USA, and WCC president from North America said: “The WCC plays an important role as a communicative tool to all and to continuously monitor the situation.” WCC general secretary Rev Dr. Prof Jerry Pillay reflected that crises bring people of good will together. “Greenland brings us together, to express our solidarity and to be mindful about other crises as well,” he said. “We value the opportunity to accompany member churches and regions and contexts in struggles and suffering, and we also value the opportunity to be a global platform and a global voice to these particular experiences. Our main message is: We are with you; we are in this together and that is part of the responsibilities we share as partners in Christ.” A closing prayer was led by Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith, WCC president from North America-Turtle Island. Those gathered also consulted on possibilities for cross-regional coordination and action going forward. WCC: “people of Greenland have an inalienable right to self-determination" (WCC news release, 15 January 2026) Read the full statement Website of the National Church of Greenland Praying for peace in a tense situation (WCC interview, 12 January 2026) | 
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