WCC NEWS: WCC central committee moderator asks: “To whom does our primary loyalty truly belong?”

During a sermon at the St Hedwig’s Cathedral in Berlin on 15 September, World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm commemorated the signing of original Charta Oecumenica on 15 September 1926. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 16 September 2026 The Charta Oecumenica offers common guidelines for churches in Europe in response to today’s challenges, strengthening unity, dialogue, peace, and shared Christian witness. “To whom does our primary loyalty truly belong?”  Bedford-Strohm asked the congregation. “Does it truly belong to Christ, as we repeatedly profess?” He addressed the path towards the visible unity of the churches. “The key is the spirit of Jesus – the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood, of human encounter and the closeness that arises from it,” he said. “The power of ecumenical friendship, which grows on the pilgrimage towards the visible unity of the churches, is still far too often underestimated.” A striking example of such unity, Bedford-Strohm added, occurs at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. “Time and again, I am amazed at the tremendous impetus that this World Council of Churches institution – operating far from the headlines – has had and continues to have for global ecumenism,” he said. “I then want to point to Bossey and say: this is what it can look like when we, as a church, radiate the unity and love we talk about all the time.” Bedford-Strohm, on 16 September also offered a lecture at a gathering of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen in Deutschland. He recalled the theme of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany: “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” This theme itself was a challenge, he acknowledged. “One need only pause for a moment to realise what it means when thousands of people from all over the world, with completely different national and cultural backgrounds, take part in such an assembly,” he said. “The chasms that are opening up in this world were a central theme.” We are all aware of these chasms and divisions, Bedford-Strohm said. “All these chasms and many more were discussed at the assembly in Karlsruhe, and yet the participants, coming from vastly different home contexts, jointly identified directions on key issues for humanity’s future that went far beyond mere compromises of form,” he said. “Despite these divisions, it is essential to maintain dialogue.” Bedford-Strohm identified the misuse of the Christian religion as a major challenge in today’s world, citing several examples. “Although the complete distortions of the message of love – even love for one’s enemies – as preached in the Sermon on the Mount are obvious, the political instrumentalisation of Christianity appears to be very successful,” he lamented. “That is why a global awakening is needed to protect the precious heritage of the Christian faith, challenging its unscrupulous political exploitation by the authoritarian leaders of our time.” 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

WCC NEWS: “Can Machines Love?” WCC central committee moderator addresses the question

n a two-part interview with Christian Peschken, Geneva correspondent for EWTN Germany, World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm reflects on the ethical, political, and spiritual challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Photo: EWTN 18 August 2026 The interviews appeared on EWTN and CNA Deutsch. The first interview, entitled “Can Machines Love? Faith, AI, and the Future of Humanity,” leads to an even deeper discussion in the second installment, entitled “The Church's Answer to Artificial Intelligence.” The conversations explore who should govern AI, why democratic oversight and ethical accountability are essential, whether AI can ever participate in spiritual life, and what message of hope Christianity offers in a rapidly changing technological world.  Bedford-Strohm also reflects on the shared commitment of the WCC and the Vatican to uphold human dignity as the guiding principle for the development and use of AI. “Who controls the data and power of the digital world?” Peschken asks. “What responsibilities do governments, business, and religious communities bear?” Bedford-Strohm reflects that these questions are at the center of our responsibility today in dealing with AI. “AI can already generate prayers, sermons, and theological reflections,” says Bedford-Strohm. “While these outputs may appear meaningful, can a machine ever generally participate in spiritual life? Or does spirituality requires consciousness, freedom, and a relationship with God?” 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

WCC news: WCC expresses deep concern on current situation affecting Armenian Apostolic Church

World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed deep concern regarding the current situation affecting the Armenian Apostolic Church. Photo: WCC 7 August 2026 “WCC, as a global fellowship of churches, affirms the vital role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the spiritual, cultural, and historical life of the Armenian people and in the wider Christian family,” said Bedford-Strohm and Pillay. “As WCC, we express our  concern about undue interference in inner church matters.” Bedford-Strohm and Pillay extended hope and prayers that the conflict will be resolved in a way that will foster the flourishing of the whole Armenian people. They added, “We uphold the Armenian Church and its people in prayer and support during this time.” 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

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

WCC NEWS: WCC leaders visit Global Fund, focus on shaping an enabling environment

The moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee, Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, met with Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund; as well as part of the Global Fund leadership team including: Dianne Stewart, deputy director and head of the Donor Relations, External Relations, and Communications Department; and Francesca Davoli, associate specialist for the Donor Relations, External Relations, and Communications Division. Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund, and Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Stohm, moderator of the WCC central committee.  Photo: Gregoire de Fombelle/WCC 11 June 2026 The WCC moderator was accompanied by Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director; Gracia Violeta Ross, WCC programme executive; Marianne Ejdersten, WCC communication director; Dr Christoph Benn, founding director of the JLI Center for Global Health Diplomacy, and a team from JLI.  The Global Fund’s support for the WCC reflects a strategic investment in faith-based advocacy to sustain global HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria treatment and prevention financing amid increasing fiscal pressure. The WCC has mobilised religious leaders, youth, and communities in advocacy briefings, strong media engagement, youth-led campaigns, and impact stories that humanise Global Fund investments and frame health financing as a moral and justice issue.  The WCC is currently deepening this role by championing sustainable health financing through coordinated global, regional, and country-level advocacy—mobilising faith leaders in key policy spaces, producing theological and narrative tools, strengthening regional coordination in Africa, documenting impact, and equipping religious actors with budget advocacy skills. The WCC’s partnership with the Global Fund underscores the WCC’s unique ability to leverage moral authority and public influence to shape the enabling environment, ensuring Global Fund investments remain visible and prioritised. Photo gallery The Global Fund Photo: Gregoire de Fombelle/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 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