WCC NEWS: Webinar explores faith, justice, and science behind vaccines

Drawing on reflections from World Health Organization (WHO) experts, faith leaders, and scientific experts, a webinar entitled “For Every Generation: Faith, Justice, and Science in Immunization” was hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 30 April. Porto Alegre, Brazil - A nurse holds an ampoule of the CoronaVac vaccine, which was developed by China's Sinovac Biotech and is partly manufactured locally by the Butantan biomedical institute. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 05 May 2026 Lisa Menning, a public health expert serving as the team lead for Demand and Behavioural Sciences in the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and, Biologicals at the World Health Organization, offered a history of vaccines, noting that, as the world’s population has grown, initiatives related to vaccines have evolved and grown as well.  She shared reports as well as performance benchmarks for vaccine coverage, showing the impact of vaccines on reducing disease burden. Dr Manoj Kurian, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, noted that understanding vaccines from the faith perspective is not only an intervention. “It is also a manifestation of dignity and trust across the lifespan,” he said. “Faith communities help translate this public health reality and this great benefit into local relationships, and language and action.” Gracia Violeta Ross, WCC programme executive for HIV, Reproductive Health, and Pandemics, cited the example of human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer, and how it still represents a challenge to the world—especially since the preventative vaccine is available only to some.  “Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer among women,” said Ross. “The sad thing about this is that cervical cancer is largely preventable.” David McCoy, public health specialist and policy research lead at the United Nations University, International Institute for Global Health, reflected on how inequality leaders to under-resourcing vaccines, and how “big pharma”—or multinational pharmaceutical companies—are becoming increasingly financialized.  KM Gopakumar senior researcher and legal advisor at the Third World Network, commented about the contracted market for vaccines. “Much of the production—much of the volume—is coming from developed countries,” he noted. Fr Moussa Naguib, a priest and a surgeon, chose to focus on related biblical texts, reflecting that doctors, medicines, and treatments are gifts from God. “That’s why this idea of refusing to use this medicine is not theological,” he noted. Dr Ursula Wüthrich-Grossenbacher spoke briefly on how some groups skip vaccines not only because of mistrust but because of a sense of arrogance. “They think they don’t need the vaccinations because someone will offer them care,” she said, using examples from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Rev. Dr Stavros Kofinas, moderator of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, closed the webinar with a prayer, and a brief reflection on how trust is built.  “Trust is built on interpersonal relationships, and it is also built on community,” he said. The webinar positioned faith-based organisations as critical partners who translate public health concepts into local relationships and action. The dialogue pointed faith communities to integrating immunisation messages into sermons and youth work, training clergy as immunisation champions, establishing community listening spaces to voice experiences of exclusion and distrust. The discussions also sharpened the need in advocating for policies that prioritise the poorest and remove financial barriers to accessing immunisation services. 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 INTERVIEW: Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: Churches in Ukraine are united in commitment to peace

Head of the of the Reformed Church in Trans-Carpathia for more than 20 years, Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián has recently been appointed chairman of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. The WCC invited him for an interview to learn more about what unites churches in Ukraine, and how the world can support churches and people of Ukraine affected by the ongoing war. Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián of the Trans-Carpathian Reformed Church speaks during the meeting of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 14 April 2026. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine, www.president.gov.ua 05 May 2026 As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has entered its fifth year, hundreds of drones and missiles are targeting Ukrainian cities daily, not ceasing even during the days of Easter celebrations. How the war is affecting churches and church communities?  Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: I would like to distinguish between two groups: religious communities in the war-affected regions and those in the rear. Let me begin with the latter. Church communities in the rear have experienced a decline in membership; at the same time, there has been a notable strengthening of solidarity, particularly in assisting displaced persons and supporting those engaged in military service. Within Orthodox communities, some tensions have emerged, with past ties to Moscow now often perceived as a disadvantage. In the war zones, according to publicly available information, Russian forces do not tolerate Christian denominations, individuals under the jurisdiction of the Kyiv-based Orthodox leadership, or their activities in occupied territories. Religious buildings are widely destroyed, and Orthodox churches are no exception. In many places, communities have been nearly eradicated. A significant portion of religious infrastructure has been completely devastated. What unites all Christian communities and other religious organizations, is the shared longing for an end to the war, and a commitment to prayer for peace. This common prayer for peace brings unity in the protection of human life and creation. Amidst all the violence and suffering, how do you keep your faith alive? Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: Prolonged suffering and vulnerability prompt people to ask profound questions: why is this happening to us? Disillusionment with worldly powers, failed attempts to end the war, and shortcomings of political leadership have led many to turn toward God. In grief and hardship, people are increasingly drawn to prayer.  We ourselves have come to experience that our faith and hope ultimately rest in God alone. As we often say today: it is not we who sustain faith, but faith that sustains us. How important is the unity among churches in Ukraine today? What unites churches in Ukraine? Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: Unity among church communities is of great importance. One of the key pillars of Ukraine’s resilience lies in tolerance among churches and believers, the shared desire for peace, and respect for the value of human life. Religious freedom experienced in recent decades is a fundamental value that all denominations seek to preserve and continue to uphold. Despite our differences, this freedom binds us together. Meeting of the members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 14 April 2026. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine, www.president.gov.ua Few months ago you were appointed as a chairman of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. What are your plans, and what do you see as the main tasks at the moment? Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: Among our responsibilities, I consider it especially important to highlight significant public events. One such example is the National Day of Prayer, during which supporters of Ukraine and members of parliament joins together in prayer—for peace, for the safety of those serving in the armed forces, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the comfort of widows and orphans.  Maintaining dialogue with the Presidential Office is also vital for strengthening the faithful in Ukraine. Communication between state institutions and religious communities is of great value, and I believe that this high-level cooperation should continue in the future, ensuring that the spiritual mission and social engagement of churches receive due recognition. At the same time, I consider the most important work to be that which often remains unseen: daily spiritual and social service. This includes supporting severely wounded soldiers, assisting their families, and caring for orphaned children and widows who depend on public support and on the solidarity of religious communities. Looking ahead, I also see the need for legislative initiatives that, following the end of the war, will ensure fair opportunities for war veterans with disabilities and for families who have lost loved ones. What are the most important ways churches and Christians can support people and churches of Ukraine? Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián: On a spiritual level, I regard prayer as essential. Those who pray learn to value peace, strive to preserve it where it exists, and actively work to create it. This calling is reflected in the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”  There are many ways to express solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and each form of support is meaningful. For example, churches and Christians worldwide can contribute through programs that provide access to prosthetics or by establishing funds to support the education of orphaned or partially orphaned children. These needs are not only post-war concerns; they have been urgent throughout the past years and remain so today. In the future, the restoration and reconstruction of religious buildings will also pose a major challenge for all churches in Ukraine. We are grateful for your continued prayers and for both spiritual and material support. I sincerely hope that peace will soon be restored in Ukraine, in Russia, and among all nations in conflict. May compassion grow in the world, and may indifference and injustice diminish. May Almighty God hear our prayers and, through His creative power, bring peace where it is most needed. “We want to do everything possible so that the world will not forget Ukraine” (WCC news release, 21 April 2026) Learn more about the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián of the Trans-Carpathian Reformed Church in Ukraine, chairman of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. Photo: Trans-Carpathian Reformed Church 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

GreenFaith - Join us May 12: Climate justice is our covenant

Sign-up now for the Covenant for Our Future Launch Call Tuesday, May 12th 5pm PT / 6pm MT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET: Yes, I'll Sign Up for the Covenant for Our Future Launch Call At this moment, communities across the country are facing rising costs, climate disasters, and deepening injustice—while federal policy moves in the wrong direction. Currently the government is expanding fossil fuel subsidies and tax breaks for the wealthy, but is taking food from the hungry, healthcare from the sick, and protections from our climate. That’s not just policy. It’s a moral failure. Covenant for Our Future is our response. This national, multi-faith multi-issue coalition is bringing people together to demand a just and equitable future—and for GreenFaith, climate justice is at the heart of it. When you join the Covenant for Our Future Coalition Launch Call, next week, May 12 5pm PT/8pm ET, you’ll be part of the climate contingent of this growing movement—standing alongside partners across issues, communities, and faith traditions. And we’re building from real momentum. In April, through Energy from Heaven, you helped make faith visible in the climate movement: Nearly 700 people formed a human banner in San Francisco Communities across the Gulf South organized a toxic tour and block party Faith leaders attended a coalition rally with NY Renews to defend landmark climate protections In North Carolina climate activists organized to speak out against Duke Energy's carbon plan and proposed rate hikes. This is what it looks like when people of faith act together all over the country. Even as we build this movement, Members of Congress are advancing legislation like the “Stop Climate Shakedowns Act,” which would shield fossil fuel companies from accountability for the harm they’ve caused. We cannot build a just future without confronting that reality, and that’s why work in coalitions like Covenant for Our Future are so important. We hope you will sign-up now and be part of what comes next on May 12. Sign-Up for the Covenant for Our Future Launch Call In solidarity, Rev. Amy Brooks Paradise GreenFaith US, Organizing Coordinator Building a Worldwide, Multi-faith Climate and Environmental Movement.    1216 Broadway Floor 2 PMB 1005 New York, NY 10001 +1-917-997-8783 Copyright © 2022 GreenFaith - All rights reserved.

SojoAction Alert - It Has Been More Than Sixty Days, Congress Must Step In

View this email in your browser As Christians we must demand peace It has now been more than sixty days since President Trump launched air strikes on Iran in an act of war. It is important that Congress asserts its constitutional duty. While the current ceasefire is being tested in the Strait of Hormuz, Congress cannot let Trump and his Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, reset the clock on seeking approval by simply changing the name of their operation. This reckless course of action has endangered the lives of countless people across the Middle East as well as United States service members, and it can no longer continue. The decision to declare war lies with Congress, and the continued chaos caused by these military actions demonstrates the need for Congress to step in and do its constitutional duty to rein in or stop this illegal war and return to a diplomatic approach that promises peace for all. Contact Congress Now! As Christians, we believe that “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9). In this moment, we demand that our representatives in both the House and Senate act to create peace in accordance with our beliefs. Since President Trump ended the successfully negotiated Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), we have seen him launch multiple strikes against Iran without any measurable progress towards peace. Congress must once again demand a diplomatic approach to preventing the growth of nuclear arms. This war against Iran has already set off a ruinous regional conflict, which has seen commerce disrupted, people permanently injured, and too many precious lives lost. As Christians, we know that each and every life is precious and every step must be taken to avoid any further bloodshed.  Instead of recklessly continuing a policy of escalation, we demand an end to violence and vigorous oversight from Congress in pursuit of peace. Act Now In faith, Adam Russell Taylor President, Sojourners Unsubscribe or update email preferences Copyright © 2026 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842

Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Commission Chair Dr. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Director/Consultant AMEC Social Action Commission Statement on the Louisiana v. Callais Supreme Court Decision The AME Church Commission on Social Action rejects any effort to normalize voter suppression through redistricting, legal technicalities, or judicial narrowing of civil rights protections. In Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court weakened one of the last strong protections left in the Voting Rights Act by making it harder to challenge political maps that dilute the voting strength of Black and Brown communities. This ruling puts new weights on the ankles of people who have already had to run a long, hard race for freedom, fairness, and full citizenship. We cannot call this justice when the scales are tipped against the vulnerable. We cannot call this democracy when the voices of Black and Brown communities are split, diluted, and discounted by lines drawn to weaken their power. We cannot call this progress when the hard-won protections of the Voting Rights Act are being chipped away piece by piece, until the promise of equal representation is left bleeding in the road. Our witness is sacred. We know that God is not neutral in the face of oppression. God hears the cry of the people who are forced to carry burdens they did not create. God stands with those whose voices are being pushed down by unjust systems, and God calls the church to rise with holy fire, moral courage, and unflinching truth. Now is not the time for silence. Now is not the time for polite language that hides the wound. Now is not the time to pretend that weakening voting protections is anything other than a moral failure. The church must speak, organize, educate, and resist until every community can stand upright and vote without chains, weights, or fear. Our call to action is clear: we must register voters, train poll workers, support voting-rights lawsuits and advocacy, push Congress for stronger federal protections, and mobilize every AME district, congregation, and member to treat voting rights as a holy assignment. We overcome this by building power in the pews, in the streets, and at the ballot box, until the people most targeted by injustice are fully protected, fully heard, and fully represented. The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. Exodus 3:7 NRSVue Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair Dr. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Director/Consultant

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Share Tweet Forward The Christian Recorder is the official periodical of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright © 2026  The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.