WCC NEWS: WCC, ACT Alliance express grave concern over fuel blockade imposed on Cuba

The World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance, in a joint message, expressed grave concern over humanitarian impacts of the fuel blockade on Cuba, issued by an executive order from the US president on 29 January. Trinidad, Cuba. Photo: Albin Hillert/Life on Earth 19 February 2026 “The action amounts to an attempt to embargo all fuel supplies to Cuba,” reads the message. “Cuba is highly dependent on imported fuel for all essential services.” The WCC and ACT Alliance noted that the consequences for the people of Cuba of the US blockade on fuel supplies are likely to be severe – from impacting electricity generation, hospitals and health services, water and sanitation systems, public transportation, to food production and distribution.  “A collective punishment of such an existential nature on the entire Cuban people cannot be justified,” the message reads. “Moreover, this extreme form of unilateral economic coercion, without authorization from the United Nations Security Council, is fundamentally incompatible with international law.” Even before this latest imposition, Cuba was experiencing a deepening socioeconomic crisis due to a decades-long financial and trade embargo by the US, as well as the impacts of increasingly extreme weather events.  “We urge all States to reject unilateral coercive measures and to act collectively to defend the principles of the UN Charter and of international law,” concludes the message.  Read the full statement 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: Translation of “Hellenism and Christianity: The Meeting of Two Worlds” newly available

The World Council of Churches, in collaboration with the Volos Academy for Theological Studies, released a translation of Hellenism and Christianity: The Meeting of Two Worlds, by John D. Zizioulas, the late Metropolitan of Pergamon (Ecumenical Patriarchate).  H.E. Metropolitan of Demetrias Ignatios and the director of the Volos Academy, Dr Pantelis Kalaitzidis, handed to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew the English version of the book, Theological School of Chalki, Türkiye, 6 February 2026, Photo: Volos Academy Thursday 12 February 2026 The publication has been translated by Fr Gregory Edwards and edited with an introduction by Dr Nikolaos Asproulis. As a delegation from the Holy Metropolis of Demetrias (Orthodox Church of Greece) and the Volos Academy for Theological Studies participated in the celebration of St Photius on 6 February at the Theological School of Chalki in Türkiye, H.E. Metropolitan of Demetrias Ignatios and the director of the Volos Academy, Dr Pantelis Kalaitzidis, handed to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew the English version of the book.  The book, which falls within the framework of the series “Doxa & Praxis: Exploring Orthodox Theology,” provides the reader with a critical approach to the various issues related to the meeting of Hellenism and Christianity, with a particular focus on the first three formative centuries of the early church. “The problem of the historical origins of Christianity per se does not interest us here, but rather only as it relates to the broader purpose of our inquiry, which is the relationship between Christianity and Hellenism in the first three centuries,” reads the introduction. “Thus, the question of Christianity’s historical origins leads us specifically to the following series of questions: What role did Hellenism play in the initial historical appearance of Christianity? Was there any trace of the Greek spirit in this historical setting that aided in the emergence of the first Christian communities, together with their faith in the person of Jesus Christ? What was the relationship between Hellenism and Christianity at the historical origins of the latter?”   Read more about Hellenism and Christianity  Learn more about John D. Zizioulas, late Metropolitan of Pergamon (Ecumenical Patriarchate) Volos Academy for Theological Studies 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 meets Heads of Churches in Jerusalem

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay met with Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, in accompaniment and affirmation of the churches’ witness in the region. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay pictured alongside Patriarch Theophilos III and other local church leaders at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Photo: WCC 11 February 2026 Visiting the Holy Land this week, Pillay spent time on 10 February with local heads of churches including among others His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Bishop Dr Imad Haddad – recently installed as the fifth bishop in the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and who serves both on the WCC Jerusalem Liaison Office Advisory Board and as one of two co-moderators of International Reference Group of the WCC-Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel – and representatives from the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem as well as other local church leaders from Jerusalem and the wider region.  Pillay listened and reflected with the church leaders on key concerns and priorities for the local churches in a time and across a context marked by ongoing military occupation, violence, war and daily violations of international law.  “The significance of seeing the witness of the local churches, hearing their stories and understanding the realities in which they serve, and of offering close accompaniment as a global fellowship of churches cannot be emphasized enough,” Pillay reflected on the day.  “As the WCC, we continue to walk with our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, to lift up and amplify their voices, to accompany them and to advocate with them for justice and peace for all people in the region,” he added. The general secretary also met with staff at the WCC Jerusalem Liaison Office who shared their insights and experiences, not least on the challenges they face working in an environment of seemingly ever-increasing restrictions imposed as part of the Israeli occupation. WCC general secretary visits the Holy Land (press release of 9 February 2026) WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay visits the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Jerusalem Old City. Photo: 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: Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan visits WCC

Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris met with World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay on 5 February to discuss the government’s new peace and reconstruction plan. World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay welcomes the Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris at the WCC office in Geneva on 5 February 2026. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 06 February 2026 Idris, along with a delegation from the Republic of Sudan, also met with UN officials this week while visiting Geneva. Pillay welcomed the Prime Minister and his delegation, emphasizing: “In these difficult times of many global crises, it is imperative that people of goodwill work together for justice, peace, reconciliation, and unity of all human beings and all creation.” Pillay presented the work of the WCC for peace in many parts of the world, including in the Middle East, in Colombia, and in several African contexts.  The Sudanese delegation included H.E. Ambassador Hassan Hamid Hassan, Permanent Representative of Sudan in Geneva, H.E. Nazar Abdalla, director of the Office of the Prime Minister, H.E. Ambassador Baderldin Ali Mohamed Elguaifri, advisor to the Prime Minister, Nasreldin Hamad Adam Eltayeb, counsellor for the Permanent Mission of Sudan in Geneva, Omar Shareef Hamad Eisa, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Sudan in Geneva, and Nafisa Hussein, Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Sudan in Geneva.  Accompanying the WCC general secretary were: Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace; Peter Prove, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs; Carla Khijoyan, WCC programme executive for peace building in the Middle East; and Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication. The situation in Sudan has been on the ecumenical agenda for over five decades. The roots of the conflict lie in its history of slavery and colonialism and date back to 1956 when the country gained independence from Great Britain. The situation today, however, after almost four years of brutal and destructive conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, is the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe. The number of internally displaced people in Sudan is estimated at 9.2 million, mostly in the Darfur region, while 4.3 million people have fled to neighbouring countries since this conflict broke out in April 2023. Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan, Professor Kamil Idriss along with the delegation from Republic of Sudan visited the World Council of Churches, meeting with the WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay on 5 February 2026. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC During the visit, Prime Minister Idris presented his government’s proposed peace initiative and invited the WCC general secretary to attend the first consultation in this process, planned during the first part of 2026. “The Sudanese government is convening inclusive international and national conferences to reestablish community peace, reconciliation, and national healing, in cooperation with the United Nations, international and regional organizations, donors, and sisterly and friendly states, to address the impacts of war, mend the social fabric, and create a healthy societal environment,” he said. Idris added: “Sudan is facing an existential crisis as a result of the war waged by the rebel militia in blatant violation of all international laws and norms. This has led to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe and has undermined regional and international stability.” Idris underlined: “The peace initiative is aiming to convene Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue during the transitional period, through which political forces shall agree on how to govern and manage the state. This shall be followed by free and fair elections under international supervision to complete the requirements of comprehensive democratic transformation.” He added that the WCC can play a vital role in creating better religious tolerance and relationships in Sudan. The WCC offered an overview of its ecumenical peacebuilding initiatives in Sudan and South Sudan over the past years, referring especially to the ecumenical delegation visit to Sudan from 18-22 April 2024, including meetings with the President and the Vice President. Mtata said: “The joint ecumenical solidarity visit signified a collective commitment to stand with the churches and people of Sudan in their time of need, offering both spiritual and moral support as they strive for peace, healing, and reconciliation.” Pillay stressed “the importance to continue the efforts to achieve peace and working together for the common good. As people of faith, we are called to stand together in solidarity with one another for justice and peace, upholding each other in prayers, supporting those who are made vulnerable socially and economically, the displaced persons, and those who have lost their means of livelihood due to crisis and disaster.” He concluded the meeting with prayers – Christians and Muslims praying together. Pillay said: “The WCC conveys its solidarity, support, and prayer to all the churches and people of Sudan and South Sudan as they seek to fulfil their essential ministry for justice, reconciliation, unity, and human dignity and rights. We pray that you may experience the presence and the love of God even amid these challenges.” Photo gallery: Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan visits WCC WCC meets president of Sudan for discussion of roadmap to peace (WCC news release, 26 April 2024) In solidarity visit to Sudan, WCC strengthens foundations for peace (WCC news release, 25 April 2024) Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris along with a delegation from the Republic of Sudan met with World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and other WCC representatives on 5 February 2026. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/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 nominated for Geneva Engage Award

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has been nominated for a Geneva Engage Award in the Non-Governmental Organisations and Associations category.  Geneva Engage Awards 2024. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 26 January 2026 The WCC is one of 10 organizations in the category, and the winner will be announced during the 11th Geneva Engage Awards on 3 February.  Geneva Engage reported that, as AI changes the way the web works, this year’s nominees are organisations leading the way in practical outreach, accessibility, and connectivity. This year’s theme is "Back to Basics: The Future of Websites in the AI Era.” The theme has been shaped by critical pieces of research, including the finding that only 1.84% of Geneva’s digital links connect with each other. Research also shows that Geneva-based organisations are rarely cited in Google's AI Overviews. This means that even when information is used to answer a query, the credit and the direct traffic aren't coming back to the original source. “Geneva Engage highlights the role of communicators and storytellers as agents of hope in these difficult times,” said WCC communication director Marianne Ejdersten. “As communicators standing for digital justice, we are ready to meet the challenges and to learn the opportunities AI poses now and in the future.”  This marks the 7th time the WCC has been nominated for a Geneva Engage Award.  In 2025, the WCC was specifically highlighted as a "pillar of the Geneva Engage Awards" and a top contributor to digital diplomacy and global collaboration. In the past, the WCC has been honored for its efforts in connecting people from diverse backgrounds and Christian traditions; for its successful online presence—including social media outreach—which helped to raise a common Christian voice and facilitate solidarity among member churches; and for bridging the gap between Geneva-based international organizations and communities worldwide. The Geneva Engage initiative is supported by the Geneva Internet Platform and the Republic and Canton of Geneva, emphasizing the importance of digital engagement for organizations in Geneva. WCC’s Geneva Engage Awards 2023 2nd place for digital outreach and social media engagement with the world. 2022 top honor for the online engagement with the world via social media. 2021 3rd place for effective and inspiring social media outreach and engagement. 2020 2nd place for effective and inspiring social media outreach and engagement. 2019 4th place for social media presence. 2016 3rd place for social media presence. More information about Geneva Engage Awards 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