WCC news: WCC central committee moderator reflects on importance of Multi-Religious Council of Leaders

The Multi-Religious Council of Leaders, brought together by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Religions for Peace, strengthens collective efforts across regions and faiths to address root causes by supporting global advocacy, conflict prevention, reconciliation, peacebuilding, and social cohesion initiatives. Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee moderator, who recently attended his first meeting with the council, reflects on its important role and how churches can contribute. Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC central committee moderator, and Barham Salih, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Photo: UNHCR/Antoine Tardy 29 July 2026 What did you take with you from your first meeting with the Multi-Religious Council of Leaders? Bishop Bedford-Strohm: I was touched by the atmosphere of friendship and cooperation between faith leaders with very different backgrounds. It showed to me that religious communities can join forces and, rooted everywhere on this globe in local communities,  can make a difference in the world. What is the most important role for religious leaders in the council? Bishop Bedford-Strohm: The first task is to jointly stand up for human dignity, mutual respect, and empathy in a world wounded by division, injustice, and hate. We can be witnesses for this new way of living together in how we deal with each other. The second task is to prophetically denounce every misuse of religion to legitimize political goals that pull the name of God into the dirt. Persecuting refugees, invading another country, or oppressing one’s own people in the name of God are expressions of such misuse, against which we must lift our voice. How can the WCC contribute?  Bishop Bedford-Strohm: The WCC can connect with our member churches all over the world and stand by them in their struggles for justice, reconciliation, and unity. We can build alliances of justice and solidarity for the most vulnerable and promote public advocacy for their support. Our memorandum of understanding with UNHCR is is a good example for that. What was the most impactful meeting or conversation during the day at the UNHCR?  Bishop Bedford-Strohm: Besides our very good internal talks, I was very much moved by the official celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Convention for Refugees that took place in the building in which it was then signed. The witnesses of people whose lives were saved and transformed into flourishment by the protection they experienced through the Geneva Convention and the UNHCR as its arm deeply impressed me. They showed how important the convention is now in a time in which solidarity with refugees is under pressure. I was strongly reassured that WCC’s place in strong support for UNHCR is exactly the right place.  The Promise For refugees, churches “need to exercise their prophetic voice” (WCC feature story, 29 July 2026) WCC to enter Dialogue on Displacement and Shared Sacred Flourishing (WCC news release, 27 July 2026) Multi-Religious Council of Leaders | UNHCR WCC, UN Refugee Agency sign historic memorandum of understanding that deepens collaboration (WCC news release, 1 June 2026) WCC leaders visit UN Refugee Agency (WCC news release, 9 June 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