WCC NEWS: Church of Sweden delegation visits WCC

A delegation from the Church of Sweden, let by its general secretary Camilla Asp, visited the World Council of Churches (WCC) from 9-10 April.  Visit of the Church of Sweden General Secretary, Ms Camilla Asp and of Rev. Dr Karin Sarja Secretary of the Church.  Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC 11 April 2025 After participating in a morning prayer, the delegation received an introduction to the mandate, purpose, and work of the WCC. The Church of Sweden also offered an update on current issues within the church. In addition to meeting with the WCC Staff Leadership Group, the Church of Sweden delegation received a brief introduction to the history of the ecumenical movement. The group also traveled to the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. Thematic spaces and dialogues were set up between the Church of Sweden, WCC, Lutheran World Federation, and ACT Alliance. They discussed the ecumenical movement and its commitment and engagement on climate justice, as well as the increasing challenges presented by polarisation, populism, protectionism, and post-truth. Discussions centered on the external and internal challenges for churches, as well as responsibilities and possibilities in this current landscape. The delegation also received a brief information session on the Church of Sweden parish in Switzerland. Asp expressed appreciation for the visit and for meeting the WCC leadership. “I recognize the importance of being a member of the WCC, given the possibility to listen to and learn from other members of the fellowship and the experiences in WCC,” she said. “Being a member of WCC is crucial for the identity of the Church of Sweden. I have especially recognized the engagement of WCC in working for peace and reconciliation as well the importance of involving young persons in the ecumenical movement.” WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay acknowledged the Church of Sweden’s significant role in the ecumenical movement since the Universal Christian Conference on Life and Work in Stockholm in 1925, and the church’s strong support for the entire ecumenical movement. “The WCC is very grateful for the Church of Sweden and its ongoing engagement in the ecumenical movement in so many ways,” he said. “This leadership meeting helped to strengthen and reinforce our collaboration, both spiritually and programmatically, as we defined our common responsibilities for unity, reconciliation, and peace.” Visit of the Church of Sweden General Secretary, Ms Camilla Asp and of Rev. Dr Karin Sarja Secretary of the Church, Director of the Department of Church and Society, Mr Erik Lysén, Director of International Affairs and, Very Rev. Peter Lindvall, Director of Ecumenical relations. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC The Church of Sweden delegation, led by its general secretary Camilla Asp, also included Rev. Dr Karin Sarja, secretary of the Church, and director of the Department of Church and Society; Erik Lysén, director of International Affairs; and Very Rev. Peter Lindvall, director of Ecumenical Relations. Photo gallery World Council of Churches Click here to Church of Sweden Visits to the World Council of Churches 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 352 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

WCC NEWS: Church of Sweden delegation visits WCC, Lutheran World Federation, and ACT Alliance

Visiting from 18-20 April, 13 international secretaries from dioceses of the Church of Sweden visited the World Council of Churches (WCC), Lutheran World Federation, and ACT Alliance. 13 international secretaries from dioceses of the Church of Sweden visit to  the World Council of Churches (WCC), Lutheran World Federation, and ACT Alliance. Photo: Gregoire de Fombelle/WCC 20 April 2023 In addition to receiving a guided tour of the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, as well as the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, the Church of Sweden delegation participated in several study sessions on topics such as perspectives of justice, reconciliation, and unity; peace-building in South Sudan, Ukraine, Russia, and the Korean Peninsula; sustainability and environmental issues; and just peace in the Holy Land. Locally, the delegation also received a reformation tour in Geneva, met with members of the Church of Sweden in Switzerland, and, in turn, shared their  local work in Sweden. At a tray lunch, the international officers presented their experience and the best practices from the local work of the Church of Sweden in areas such as a reconciliation, Indigenous peoples, and the reconciliation process, youth engagement, football projects, and international trainee projects. 13 international secretaries from dioceses of the Church of Sweden visit to  the World Council of Churches (WCC), Lutheran World Federation, and ACT Alliance Photo: Gregoire de Fombelle/WCC Rev. Bimbi Ollberg, from the Diocese of Visby, on the island of Gotland, described a football project with young girls in Sweden and in Kenya. “The idea with the project, is that the church recognizes that life is holistic,” said Ollberg. “We need to engage in every part of daily life.” Football is important for many girls, Ollberg added. “In the refugee camp, it's a question of creating bridges between Muslims and Christian girls,” said Ollberg. “It's creating a possibility for them to be away from home and not be forced to be married when they are young—not be forced to work at home.” On the island of Gotland, girls may not know how girls in other parts of the world are living, so the programme creates awareness. “Why does the church do it? It's because this is what the church has to do,” said Ollberg. “We have to engage in the everyday life of our members and those who are not members yet.” Rev. Dr Ulrica Fritzon, from the Diocese of Skara, described a project of reconciliation in South Africa. “I think that it's the task of the church to be relevant in the times where she lives,” said Fritzon. “Reconciliation is one of the ground pillars from our church, that is the center of our faith.” Joint sessions were also part of the agenda. The Church of Sweden explored the roles churches played during the COVID-19 pandemic, hearing from speakers within the WCC as well as from the World Health Organization and other food security partners. Another joint session—offered by the WCC, Lutheran World Federation, and ACT Alliance— also explained the collaborative work and relationships between the three organizations. On 20 April, the delegation participated in the Thursdays in Black campaign for a world free from gender-based violence. A closing session gave the delegation an opportunity to communicate about how to act together back in Sweden. They answered the key questions: “What do you take with you? How do you inspire the congregations?” Visits to the World Council of Churches Photo gallery of the visit 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 352 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 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: Church of Sweden in Lund delegation visits the Ecumenical Centre and Bossey

Bishop Johan Tyrberg and a delegation from the Church of Sweden in Lund visited the World Council of Churches on 22-23 September, participating in a morning prayer for Christian unity, receiving a guided tour and discussing the theme of the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca (left) and Bishop Johan Tyrberg from the Church of Sweden hold an icon in the Visser 't Hooft Hall at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC 24 September 2021 The delegation also discussed the climate emergency, received an update on the Green Village, and met with leaders from the Church of Sweden in Switzerland. A discussion of gender justice was also a priority on the agenda. The visit concluded with a pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Institute Bossey, where the delegation was able to meet students and staff for a glimpse of the hope that ecumenical formation is providing for the world. While in the Ecumenical Centre, the group also met with ACT Alliance and the Lutheran World Federation. Every year, the WCC welcomes visitors to the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva or to the Ecumenical Institute Bossey. Visits by leaders of member churches and other significant ecumenical partners, groups from congregations and theological schools – including clergy, theologians and lay persons – offer them a unique opportunity to learn about the diverse range of issues being addressed by the WCC and ecumenical sister organisations in the Ecumenical Centre. For more information: Visits to the WCC 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 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: WCC president addresses unique assembly of Church of Sweden

Photos: Magnus Aronson/Church of Sweden

09 October 2020

As the Church of Sweden’s highest decision-making body – its Church Assembly – opened in late September, World Council of Churches (WCC) president for Europe Archbishop emeritus Anders Wejryd spoke on the legacy and present-day importance of ecumenical efforts.

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continuing to place restrictions on physical meetings, the arrangements for this year's Church Assembly meetings are unprecedented – as a reduced number of delegates gathered for a blended meeting, chaired physically in Uppsala, Sweden, but with the remainder of 44 delegates gathered around the table digitally, online.

Addressing this first of two Church Assembly meetings planned in 2020, Wejryd noted that “Ecumenism is about context. It is about ecology, economy, eco-theology.”

The ecumenical movement’s mission, he continued, is “to remind churches of their responsibility to build societies that are good. Churches, which may otherwise so easily become introvert and centred on their own internal business…” he added.

Wejryd observed how the ecumenical movement has influenced the Church of Sweden’s work and self-understanding for decades.

WCC president for Europe Archbishop emeritus Anders Wejryd addresses the Church Assembly.

“But what about today? What does the WCC do today? They keep at it,” he said, referencing the council’s ongoing work in areas such as human dignity, for refugees and asylum seekers, women’s rights, child rights, and climate justice.

“The Church of Sweden is needed within the WCC. This is quite easy for a Swede to think. What is more difficult is to realize that we also need the WCC. The WCC has helped bring renewal to our church,” he concluded.

Church of Sweden