WCC NEWS: During a defining moment in the USA, “we’ve got to give ourselves to the struggle”

During an interfaith service in Memphis, Tennessee, on 20 January at the Healing Cathedral Christian Church, hundreds of people gathered in-person and online to commemorate Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy and to respond to deep injustices plaguing the United States. Photo: Screenshot from livestream. 21 January 2025 The service, entitled “For Such a Time as This: A Prophetic Response to America’s Defining Moment,” was held on the same day as the inauguration of president Donald J. Trump’s second term. The gathering united faith leaders, community advocates, and people of goodwill, committed to amplifying justice, equity, and love in the face of divisive and regressive forces.  After greetings from leaders of many faith traditions and lively music, Bishop William J. Barber II, president and senior lecturer, Repairers of the Breach, and professor of Public Theology for Yale Divinity, issued a “Moral Call to Action.”  He began by warning the congregants that he might ask some strange questions. “Don’t get mad—just think about them,” he said. “What if Trump is just a footman and not the horses, and what if we make him the reason we organize—and we actually commit idolatry because America had problems before this inauguration?” After all—that’s how Trump got there, said Barber. “Trump is a symptom, only a symptom—and what if we already have vision?” Barber asked. “Maybe it’s time to work the vision.” He recalled in history the times when Dr Martin Luther King Jr was certainly weary—particularly one evening in Memphis.  That night, King said: “The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around.”  But King also concluded that sermon by saying: “We’ve got to give ourselves to the struggle until the end, and nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point.” Barber reminded those gathered of their calling not just from Dr King but from God. “We’ve got to give ourselves to the struggle until the end,” said Barber. “We cannot claim to love the message of Dr King while we support policies that contradict his vision.” Currently, the USA is suffering from a terrible form of social schizophrenia, Barber continued.  “Jesus told us that whatever our evangelicalism was, it had to start with the poor,” he said. “We have to tell the truth in this moment.” Barber noted that we are in a crisis of civilization not just a crisis of the individual. “We’re built for this,” he said. “When you face your giants, the glory will come. I feel the glory.” Rev. Nathan Day Wilson, WCC liaison with specialized ministries, brought greetings from the World Council of Churches and shared a scriptural reading. The Memphis service also occurred during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which extends from 18-25 January. Watch the full interfaith service (Memphis, Tennessee, 20 January 2025) 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: Geneva Climate Forum focuses on moral and multilateral action to tackle global crises

At the 25th anniversary celebration of the Geneva Environment Network, global leaders and advocates gathered to address pressing climate and environmental crises under the theme, “Multilateralism Looking at the Future – Protecting the Environment with Humanity at the Center.” WCC general secretary joined the event "Multilateralism Looking at the Future" hosted by Geneva Climate Forum event. Photo: Athena Peralta/WCC 21 January 2025 Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, called for equity in global responses, highlighting the Christian tradition of care for creation. “In a world where the wealthiest 10% contribute half of global greenhouse gas emissions, those with greater resources have a moral responsibility to act decisively. Collaboration and justice are essential for building trust and sustaining a livable future for all creation,” he said.  Faith communities, he added, are uniquely positioned to lead by example. “In the story of creation in the Book of Genesis, we are told that God created all things and saw that it was good. Addressing climate justice issues and creating a better world for all creation is also a responsibility of faith communities.” Panelists emphasized the interconnectedness of ecological challenges and the necessity for stronger multilateral solutions.  Celeste Saulo, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization, stressed the urgency of accelerated action, noting that solutions to climate change already exist but must be implemented swiftly to safeguard critical resources like glaciers, which hold 70% of the planet’s fresh water. Similarly, ambassador Matthew Wilson of Barbados urged increased investment in sustainability, calling for the inclusion of women and youth in climate initiatives and the enhancement of climate finance. Discussions also addressed the alarming rate of biodiversity loss. Kirsten Schuijt, director general of WWF International, warned that global species populations have declined by 73% since 1970. She emphasized channeling financial resources to local efforts and addressing drivers of biodiversity loss, particularly unsustainable food systems. Closing on an optimistic note, Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Programme, praised Geneva’s role as a global hub for environmental governance. She reaffirmed that multilateralism is essential for addressing these crises and ensuring that people and the planet remain at the heart of collective action. Learn more about the Geneva Environment Network WCC work on Care for Creation and Climate Justice 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: WCC celebrates exchange of hostages and prisoners, prays for those still unjustly detained in Gaza

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay celebrated with families to whom loved ones have been restored in an initial exchanges of hostages and prisoners in Gaza. “We pray that all the remaining hostages and all those unjustly detained will soon be released,” he said.  Sunrays reach over a stone building near Jaffa gate in the Jerusalem old city. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 20 January 2025 “We also share in the relief that the entire population of Gaza feels at this respite from constant bombardment and fear for their lives, as well as the despair of those who are returning to homes and communities that have been obliterated in the unrestrained violence of Israel’s attacks.” Pillay offered prayers that this respite will extend into a sustained peace, and that the humanitarian assistance urgently needed by the people of Gaza will be provided at the massive scale required to avert further loss of life and of hope. “The World Council of Churches laments the fact that it has taken 15 months, and the loss of 46,000 lives – the majority of them women and children – for the conflict parties to reach agreement for this ceasefire to halt at least temporarily the killing and destruction,” he said. “We appeal to them now to make the ceasefire permanent, and to commit to negotiations on the root causes of the violence and repeated cycles of conflict in the region, to ensure a sustainable peace founded upon equal human rights and justice for all in the region.” Pillay concluded: “In the meantime, we highlight the renewed upsurge of violence by settlers in the West Bank since the Gaza ceasefire was announced, and underline the necessity of working for peace and for justice for all the people of Palestine. May the quest for just peace be the foundation on which we seek to build a better world for all people and creation.” Read the full comment of the WCC general secretary WCC welcomes news of ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas (WCC news release, 16 January 2025) 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: WCC welcomes U.S. rescission of Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism

The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay has warmly welcomed President Biden’s decision of 14 January to remove Cuba from a list maintained by the U.S. Department of State that designates countries accused of supporting terrorism. A magazine seller on a street in Santiago de Cuba, on the eastern end of the Caribbean island of Cuba. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 20 January 2025 “This decision will hopefully alleviate the hardships suffered by the people of Cuba, which have been greatly exacerbated by the US designation and embargo, by allowing the country greater access to international financial institutions and trade opportunities”, said Pillay. “We call upon the whole international community to take this opportunity to contribute to better lives and future prospects for the Cuban people”, added the WCC general secretary.   Cuba was designated as an State Sponsor of Terrorism  (SST) in 1982 by the Reagan administration for allegedly supporting communist insurgencies and terrorist groups in Latin America and Africa. The designation subjected Cuba to economic sanctions, including restrictions on foreign aid, defense exports, and financial transactions. The WCC has been advocating for an end of the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba for many years, accompanying the churches as prophetic voices of peace, hope, cooperation, and mutual respect. In 2022, the WCC 11th Assembly called for the removal of Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism.  In December 2014, President Barack Obama announced efforts to normalize U.S.-Cuba relations, leading to diplomatic talks. The rescission of Cuba’s designation as a SST occurred in 2015. However, in January 2021, shortly before leaving office, President Donald Trump re-designated Cuba as an SST. WCC 11th Assembly statement: "The Things That Make For Peace: Moving the World to Reconciliation and Unity" 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

Action Alert - Stand with Immigrants and Write Congress Today to Oppose the "Laken Riley Act"

 

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For decades, scripture has reminded Presbyterians that God calls us to welcome and provide for immigrants in our midst: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. —Zechariah 7:9-10 The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has affirmed this calling for over forty years, beginning with the Sanctuary Movement within the United States and supporting the work of those protecting and assisting migrants. Most recently, the 225th General Assembly declared the PC(U.S.A.) to be a Sanctuary and Accompanying Church, reaffirming decades of commitment to supporting immigrants, migrants, and refugees through work guided by principles of accompaniment and protection. These values are at risk in H.R. 29, the “Laken Riley Act.” The bill represents a cynical attempt to exploit a tragic loss of life to perpetuate a false narrative that ties immigration to fears surrounding public safety. The legislation subjects immigrants facing mere allegations of petty offenses to prolonged, indefinite detention without bond. As a faith-based organization, we urge all members of Congress to honor the humanity and dignity of all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekersby rejecting this cruel proposal and instead supporting measures rooted in collective concern for immigrant communities. The bill has already passed the U.S. House, and Republicans are pushing for it to be the first bill sent to the incoming president, who will take the oath of office on January 20, 2025. The bill mandates the arrest and detention—without bond—of any undocumented person convicted of, or merely arrested for, burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting-related offenses. There is no statute of limitations, no due process, and no mechanism for individuals to contest their immigration detention in order to resolve any underlying criminal charges (if charges are even brought). Mandatory immigration detention, which forces people with pending immigration cases to endure carceral conditions detrimental to human health for prolonged periods, is a gravely harmful practice that should be ended. Rather than expanding mandatory detention, which does not promote public safety and only contributes to tremendous human suffering, Congress should invest in solutions that foster a fairer and more just immigration system—one that allows all communities to flourish. The bill also undermines constitutional protections and disrupts the balance of power between states and the federal government, giving anti-immigrant state attorneys general the power to destabilize the immigration system. This is only the first of many attacks on immigrant communities we expect to see in the 119th Congress and incoming administration. Congress must not succumb to a political ploy that exploits a tragic act to demonize and criminalize an entire group of people. Write Congress today to urge policymakers to reject the “Laken Riley Act” and invest in our nation’s longstanding tradition of welcoming immigrants. The sacred texts of our Christian tradition, along with the practices of our nation’s diverse faith traditions, call us to stand with the vulnerable and remain committed to the sacred practice of welcoming the sojourner.    The PC(U.S.A.) stands in solidarity with immigrants, migrants, and asylum seekers affirming that our collective flourishing depends on the safety and security of everyone, including those newly arriving on our shores.

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