WCC NEWS: WCC mourns loss of US civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson

Tributes poured in after the death of Rev. Jesse Jackson on 17 February, mourning the loss of a US civil rights leader and two-time US presidential candidate. Jackson was 84. Switzerland, Geneva, 24 June 2002. The Rev. Jesse Jackson visits the World Council of Churches to discuss with WCC staff ecumenical effort related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Photo: Peter Williams/WCC 18 February 2026 World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay commended Jackson’s prophetic role, passionate advocacy, and drive for justice. “Rev. Jesse Jackson was a great gift to all those who believed and acted for justice, equality, and love,” said Pillay. “As he advocated for freedom and democracy around the world, he served humanity in a way that showed his belief that we are all children of God. We give thanks for his life and contributions to make his country and the world a better place striving for justice, equality and liberation.” Jackson passed away during the Centennial of Black History Month in the US. “Rev. Jesse Jackson was not only an iconic civil rights leader of our time and presidential hopeful, serving with global leaders like the Rev. Dr Martin Luther King; he was a pastor and priest to and with the people,” said Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith, from the National Baptist Convention USA, and WCC president from North America. "His messages and actions of hope recognized the imago Dei in all of us but was uniquely expressed in his preaching cadence of mantras stating, ‘I am Somebody!’ and 'Keep hope alive!’ which ran contrary to systematic and systemic messages of dehumanization of marginalized people.” Walker-Smith added that Jackson inspired and encouraged generations, inclusive of hers, to live out their calling when formidable structural adversity beset them. “Thank you Rev. Jackson,” she said. “May you rest in peace and power forever more as we remember you in this season of the Centennial of Black History Month.” Jackson's family said he died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones. "Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the Jackson family said in a statement. The WCC prays God`s strength and peace over the Jackson family, friends and all those who mourn his passing both in the USA and the world over. May that which he stood for and fought for continue to inspire us to proclaim justice and peace in a broken and suffering world. 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