WCC news: WCC general secretary offers keynote on 40th anniversary of Belhar Confession

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay offered a keynote address during a World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) conference on “Standing Where God Stands: 40th Anniversary of the Belhar Confession,” underway from 19–23 October, in Pretoria, South Africa.  Photo: WCRC 22 October 2026 The Belhar Confession is one of the most significant confessional documents to emerge from the global Reformed tradition in the 20th century and a foundational document for the WCRC's ongoing work of discerning, confessing, witnessing, and ever-reforming in response to the signs of the times. Pillay’s keynote reflects on how the Belhar Confession emerged from the crucible of apartheid South Africa as a theological response to a church and society fractured by racial segregation, injustice, and enforced division.  “Few ecclesial documents have emerged from such a context of suffering and yet achieved such global resonance as the Belhar Confession,” he said. “The confession was not merely a political statement; it was a theological judgment that racial separation and inequality contradicted the reconciling work of God in Jesus Christ.” The question confronting contemporary Christianity is whether Belhar’s journey is complete, reflected Pillay. “Belhar’s significance lies not merely in its historical victory over ecclesial apartheid but in its continuing challenge to the universal church,” he said. “Its call remains unfinished because the realities it addresses, division, exclusion, injustice, and alienation, continue to characterize both church and world.” The Belhar Confession is a theological resource for the whole ecumenical movement, added Pillay. “The WCC’s vocation as a fellowship of churches seeking visible unity and common witness is deeply consonant with Belhar’s insistence that unity, reconciliation, and justice cannot be separated,” said Pillay. “This is an alignment of theological vision and practical responsibility, not a claim that Belhar is formally the confession of every WCC member church.” The ecumenical significance of Belhar has expanded steadily since the end of apartheid, noted Pillay. “What began as a confession of a marginalized South African church gradually became a gift to the worldwide church,” he said. Read the full text "From Status Confessionis to Global Communion: Belhar’s Unfinished Call to the Whole Oikoumene" Livestream recording: "Theologians & church leaders commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Belhar Confession Consultation" 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 general secretary shares encouragement with WCC education commission

In a special message entitled “The Spirit of Ecumenical Learning,” World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay shared appreciation for the work of the WCC Ecumenical Education and Formation Commission as they start their biannual meeting at the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey.  WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay addressed the opening session of the EEF Commission via video message. He will join the group on 7 October for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 5 October 2026 “As you gather here in these days, I appreciate all of you for traveling long distances to confer about the state of ecumenical education globally and to advance the cause of ecumenical education and formation,” wrote Pillay. “After the celebrations and deliberations in Egypt last year of the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, our theological imperative is clearer than ever: we are called to critical appropriation of that ancient, life-giving faith in every context to face and address our global crisis at its deepest spiritual level.” Pillay noted that ecumenical learning liberates us from our parochial thinking and frees us to throw ourselves into that work with open minds and hearts, wherever we are.  “Discerning the will of God in these changing and challenging times is essential so that we may bring glory to God and relevantly address the needs of our times,” he wrote. “So, dear commissioners, my hopes and prayers are with you as you gather these days.” The EEF Commission meeting goes from 5-9 October, bringing together members for a week of reflection, evaluation, and planning around the future of ecumenical education and formation. Under the theme “Ecumenical Formation as Ethos and as Programme,” the meeting will consider the commission’s mandate and priorities, review current initiatives, and identify directions for its future work.  Read the full message Watch the video recording WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation to meet at Bossey (WCC news release, 30 September 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 receives delegation from Russian Orthodox Church

On Tuesday 15 September, the WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay received a delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church, headed by H.E. Metropolitan Anthony, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, also took part in the meeting via remote link. World Council of Churches leadership meets with the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, 15 September 2026. Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC 15 September 2026 The WCC general secretary had invited HE Metropolitan Anthony for mutual consultations in the context of WCC’s efforts for dialogue and peace, and in the context of current reflections on the Ecumenical Call to Just Peace, 15 years after it was issued. “The meeting was a frank, open and constructive exchange of views on war, peace, religious freedom, church relationships, nuclear weapons and the message and actions of the church in such a context”, said general secretary Pillay after the meeting. “It was clear to all participants in the meeting that we need more such conversations, not fewer,” observed Pillay. “The church must speak together against violence and injustice, and the path to that common witness is dialogue. The alternative to encounter and dialogue is only more division and confrontation.” Pillay recommitted the WCC “to serve as a bridge across the divisions and conflicts of the world.” World Council of Churches leadership meets with the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, 15 September 2026. Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/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

WCC news: WCC sends greetings to the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

The city of Florianópolis in South Brazil is hosting, from 26-30 August, the 35th General Council of the Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB), the highest decision-making body of the church. In a greeting, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended prayers to the leadership and participants. Photo: Paróquia de Florianópolis/Divulgação 27 August 2026 The 35th General Council will explore the theme "Church on Mission, the Gospel Announced" and the biblical motto of John 20:21: "Peace be with you."  The theme, Pillay reflected, “speaks deeply to the calling we share as the worldwide Christian family. The Gospel is proclaimed not only through our words, but also through lives and communities that bear witness to Christ through service, reconciliation, justice, compassion, and hope.” Pillay added that the biblical motto, “Peace be with you” (John 20:21), is especially meaningful in a world marked by conflict, fear, division, and uncertainty. “The risen Christ stands among his disciples and sends them forth in peace,” Pillay wrote. “May this peace of Christ be at the heart of your deliberations and decisions, strengthening your witness to a peace that reconciles, heals wounds, restores relationships, and opens paths towards abundant life.” Pillay further noted that Christian hope is not passive, but leads us to concrete acts of service, justice, peace, reconciliation, and care for creation. “The WCC gives thanks for the longstanding fellowship and witness of the IECLB within the ecumenical movement,” he said. “We value your solid contribution to the work of the WCC, to the visible unity of the church, to the search for peace and justice, and to the common mission of Christians in Brazil and throughout the world.” The General Council brings together representatives from different Brazilian states to deliberate on topics that will guide the institution's journey in the coming years and will elect a new presidency for a four-year term. The event takes place every two years. The IECLB General Council is responsible for deciding on any and all matters of interest to the church, by establishing guidelines that ensure the unity of the church and its confessional nature. The council also establishes an action plan and promotes debates on fundamental topics of interest to communities, parishes, and synods.  Read the full message 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: During visit to Nigeria, WCC general secretary expresses gratitude for churches’ powerful witness

During a visit to Nigeria from 20-27 August, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay participated with the Church of the Lord (Worldwide) in celebrating its 90th historic Tabieorar Anniversary, under the theme "Faithful & Glorious God.” WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay delivers message of greetings to the Church of the Lord (Worldwide) in celebrating its 90th Tabieorar Anniversary. Photo: Ibrahim Wushishi Yusuf/WCC 24 August 2026 In a special message to the church, Pillay extended heartfelt congratulations. “This important milestone provides an opportunity to give thanks to Almighty God for His abundant grace, faithfulness, and guidance throughout the remarkable journey of your church,” said Pillay. “The Church of the Lord has made a profound contribution to the spiritual life of Nigeria and to Christian communities around the world.” Pillay noted that the church has nurtured generations of believers and inspired many to live lives of faith, holiness, and service. “We express our gratitude for the vital role the Church of the Lord continues to play in Nigeria,” he said. “In a nation facing significant social, economic, and security challenges, your ministry has been a source of hope, moral guidance, reconciliation, and compassionate care.” He commended the church’s commitment to prayer, community development, peacebuilding, and the promotion of human dignity. “We are equally grateful for the global reach and influence of the Church of the Lord,” he said. “Through its presence in many countries and its engagement in the wider ecumenical movement, the church contributes significantly to the worldwide mission of God and enriches the fellowship of Christians across continents.” Pillay offered particular appreciation for the leadership of His Eminence Most Rev. Dr Rufus Okikiola Ositelu, primate of the Church of the Lord (Aladura). “Under his visionary and dedicated leadership, the church has continued to grow in its commitment to spiritual renewal, mission, education, and social engagement,” Pillay said. “His faithful service has strengthened the witness of the church both nationally and internationally.” Ositelu serves as the WCC president from Africa.  “In this important role, Most Rev. Dr Ositelu has faithfully represented the voices, concerns, and aspirations of African churches within the worldwide fellowship of churches,” said Pillay. “His commitment to justice, peace, reconciliation, intergenerational engagement, and Christian unity has enriched the work of the WCC and strengthened the bonds of fellowship among churches across the globe.” Pillay is visiting Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria from 20-27 August, to strengthen the bonds of fellowship and cooperation among the WCC member churches in Nigeria, and to deepen the relationship between the WCC and the churches in the country. Pillay and the church leaders are gathering in a spirit of prayer, mutual respect, listening, openness, and ecumenical fellowship. The gatherings will provide space for church leaders to share their experiences and concerns, while also exploring practical ways for churches and the WCC to continue to contribute together to peace, justice, reconciliation, human dignity, and the well-being of the people of Nigeria and Africa. WCC Message to the 90th Tabiẹorar Anniversary of the Church of the Lord (Aladura), Nigeria WCC general secretary: “Women have stood at the heart of God's mission” (WCC news release, 21 August 2026) WCC general secretary to visit Nigeria to strengthen bonds (WCC news release, 19 August 2026) Photos from the WCC visit to Nigeria 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