WCC NEWS: WCC general secretary: “churches continue to bear witness to God’s justice, reconciliation, peace, and hope”

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, in his report to the WCC executive committee, expressed gratitude to God for the faithful witness, resilience, and commitment of the WCC fellowship. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC 08 June 2026 “The past six months since we last met in China have once again demonstrated both the fragility of our world and the continuing relevance of the ecumenical movement,” said Pillay. “The work of the fellowship has continued amidst wars and conflicts, economic instability, climate emergencies, widening inequalities, political polarisation, exclusionary nationalism, political instrumentalisation of religion, and increasing social fragmentation.” Amid these realities, Pillay noted, the churches continue to bear witness to God’s justice, reconciliation, peace, and hope. “It is with sincere regret that we had to move this executive committee to an online meeting rather than meet in Bethlehem,” he said. “The current situation in that context prevented us from honouring the kind invitation of our member churches and the Higher Presidential Committee on Religious Affairs in the State of Palestine at this time but we look forward to meeting there in November 2027.” Pillay reflected that the WCC’s shared work continues to be shaped by the vision and calling of the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, which guides the strategic and spiritual direction of the fellowship. “This pilgrimage remains both a theological framework and a practical expression of the fellowship’s commitment to walk together in solidarity, prophetic witness, and common discipleship,” he said. “This report integrates key developments reflected in the general secretary’s accountability reporting over the past six months and highlights progress, challenges, restructuring of the WCC office, feedback on proposals referred to the general secretary by the executive committee, and priorities for the period ahead.” The WCC executive committee is convening online from 8-12 June to conduct the regular business of the first half of the year, review programme reports and audited financial results for 2025, and review proposals for a new structure for delivering work.   Read the full text of the WCC general secretary's report   Appendix - Reshaping the WCC Office Structure   WCC central committee moderator addresses human dignity and artificial intelligence (WCC news release, 8 June 2026)   WCC executive committee to convene for mutual exchange in time of transformation (WCC news release, 28 May 2026) 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