WCC NEWS: Amid Ebola outbreak, WCC extends heartfelt solidarity, prayers for all who are grieving

Amid the current Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding countries, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended heartfelt solidarity and prayers for families who are afraid and all who are grieving.  Health care personnel at front line of Ebola response in Beni, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, during the Ebola outbreak in 2019. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 28 May 2026 “As health organizations record over 900 suspected cases and at least 223 suspected deaths, health workers and local caregivers are serving under severe strain in contexts marked by violence, displacement, insecurity, and fragile health systems,” Pillay noted. “In this hour, the church is called to be close to those who suffer.” Pillay noted that the faithful witness of churches becomes a sign of God’s healing love at work amid suffering. “The last major Ebola outbreak revealed the crucial role of churches with a shared purpose, vital social networks, organisational capacity, and the trust communities have in churches,” he wrote. “It is our hope and prayer the proven good practices that faith communities have successfully carried out, will be scaled up.” He expressed solidarity with churches that are sharing accurate health information; resisting stigma, rumours, and fear; encouraging people to seek care early; and upholding safe and dignified burial practices and other measures that protect life and honour the dead.  "Congregations have also shown great success by ensuring that places of worship model safe practices, including hand hygiene, avoiding physical contact where necessary, and encouraging early care-seeking,” Pillay wrote. “Faith leaders also accompany families in grief through safe and dignified practices, while helping communities understand and accept public health measures.” Actions taken faithfully at the local level, Pillay noted, contribute significantly to saving lives and strengthening trust within communities. “May the Holy Spirit strengthen the churches of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and the whole ecumenical fellowship in hope, truthful witness, and steadfast solidarity as you journey through these difficult times,” Pillay concluded.  Read the full letter WCC deeply concerned by escalating Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda 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 forges new connections at 79th World Health Assembly

Amid the current Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding countries, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended heartfelt solidarity and prayers for families who are afraid and all who are grieving.  Health care personnel at front line of Ebola response in Beni, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, during the Ebola outbreak in 2019. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 28 May 2026 “As health organizations record over 900 suspected cases and at least 223 suspected deaths, health workers and local caregivers are serving under severe strain in contexts marked by violence, displacement, insecurity, and fragile health systems,” Pillay noted. “In this hour, the church is called to be close to those who suffer.” Pillay noted that the faithful witness of churches becomes a sign of God’s healing love at work amid suffering. “The last major Ebola outbreak revealed the crucial role of churches with a shared purpose, vital social networks, organisational capacity, and the trust communities have in churches,” he wrote. “It is our hope and prayer the proven good practices that faith communities have successfully carried out, will be scaled up.” He expressed solidarity with churches that are sharing accurate health information; resisting stigma, rumours, and fear; encouraging people to seek care early; and upholding safe and dignified burial practices and other measures that protect life and honour the dead.  "Congregations have also shown great success by ensuring that places of worship model safe practices, including hand hygiene, avoiding physical contact where necessary, and encouraging early care-seeking,” Pillay wrote. “Faith leaders also accompany families in grief through safe and dignified practices, while helping communities understand and accept public health measures.” Actions taken faithfully at the local level, Pillay noted, contribute significantly to saving lives and strengthening trust within communities. “May the Holy Spirit strengthen the churches of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and the whole ecumenical fellowship in hope, truthful witness, and steadfast solidarity as you journey through these difficult times,” Pillay concluded.  Read the full letter WCC deeply concerned by escalating Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda 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: In Jakarta, YKB Media Ministry speaks up for Thursdays in Black

Colleagues from YKB Media Ministry, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, spoke up for Thursdays in Black through photos and a video. 28 May 2026 YKB Media Ministry operates as a Christian media and broadcasting foundation functioning under the Synod of the Christian Church of Indonesia.  “I'm eager to build awareness for everyone about how important it is to stop all kinds of violence everywhere—especially toward women,” said Manda Andrian, who works for YKB Media Ministry and is also an alumni of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. “So much violence happens to women,” she said. “And in rape cases, many of the perpetuators are even people who are supposed to be protectors: parents, religious leaders, teachers, etc.” Andrian also recalled that, in May 1998 during a wave of mass violence, looting, and arson in Indonesia, women became the victims of rape. Later that same year, in October 1998, 17-year-old Ita Martadinata Haryono, an Indonesian human rights volunteer was murdered in Jakarta, just days before she was scheduled to travel to the United Nations to testify about the systemic, racially motivated gang rapes that occurred during the May 1998 riots. “We sadly remember that dark history,” said Andrian. “I want to speak out for the voiceless women,” she said. “All forms of violence, rape, domestic violence, and gender inequality have to be stopped.” Andrian reflected that it’s important to educate people about these issues and make everyone realize that together, they can create a safe place for everyone. “Doing this campaign is one step that we can do to raise up our voices,” she said. 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

Living into Right Relations: May 2026

Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice News from The United Church of Canada National Indigenous Day of Prayer 2026 [Image credit: The United Church of Canada]   Coming soon: new worship resources for National Indigenous Day of Prayer, Sunday, June 21, 2026.  Worship resources from previous years remain available on this site. Activities to mark June 21st which is the federally designated National Indigenous Peoples Day take place across the country. The searchable national list from Canadian Heritage is one source of event information, alongside the many local and regional lists on line. The goal of the day is to celebrate the rich culture and traditions of Indigenous peoples. If you are looking for resources to support educational efforts on Indigenous issues, have a look at the curated lists available from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Honouring Survivors of Residential Institutions at Six Nations [Image credit: Ronda Parkes] On April 23, 2026, Moderator Kimberly Heath, several United Church of Canada staff, and other participants visited the former site of the Mohawk Institute Residential School. Following a profoundly moving tour of the renovated property, the group attended a presentation at the nearby Woodland Cultural Centre located at the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation. Here they learned about the history of Six Nations land claims and the significance of wampum belt treaties. The visit was organized as one element of the church’s ongoing work on anti-racism, decolonization, and reconciliation. A feature story provides further details about the visit. KAIROS members tour University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills [Image credit: KAIROS] In September 2026, KAIROS Prairies North Decolonization Group led 80 people to a day of teachings about Treaty, led by Indigenous knowledge keepers and Elders, at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills (UnBQ). Participants saw how UnBQ, a former residential institution, has been physically transformed by its Indigenous leaders— with beautiful and colourful art work in the interior, and cultural grounds outside. Land based learning took place in an open meadow surrounded by an aspen forest and interspersed with tipis, ceremonial lodges, and flags honouring children who died at the institution. Being outside in this setting felt important spiritually, as it helped to connect the group to the land and to each other. Through discussions over the course of the day, the group explored three guiding questions: “what was the relationship between Indigenous people and settlers supposed to be like?”, “what actually happened?”, and “where do we go from here?”. Treaty Land Sharing Network leaders also gave a presentation. All took part in ceremony and enjoyed a delicious lunch of soup and Bannock. The visit was supported in part by the Justice and Reconciliation Fund. United Church Participates in 15th Moose Hide Campaign Day [Image credit: PJ Boyd] The 15th Moose Hide Campaign Day was held across the country on May 14, 2026—deliberately close to Mother’s Day. The campaign draws attention to the need to address violence against women, girls, and members of the 2S and LGBTQIA+ community. United Church staff and members from Toronto and surrounding Regions took part in a number of meaningful and informative events. For the first time the primary national event, which originated in British Columbia, was held in Toronto. Following a sunrise ceremony and sacred fire lighting at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, guests attended a moving and informative Opening Plenary and Fasting Workshop at the Royal Ontario Museum. At noon, the Moose Hide program moved to Queen’s Park, in front of the Ontario Legislature, for the Rally to End Violence. Hundreds gathered in person and more joined online through a national livestream to stand, to listen, and to come together towards the collective goal of ending gender-based violence.  Explore the Moose Hide Campaign website for videos of these events and others across the country along with resources to take action against violence. Facebook Website Email Instagram YouTube Donate to The United Church of Canada and help fund life changing work around the world!

Copyright © 2026 The United Church of Canada, All rights reserved.

SojoMail - The future of AI, according to the pope

View this email in your browser By Betsy Shirley Editor in Chief, Sojourners Good afternoon. This week Pope Leo released a blockbuster new treatise on AI and my colleague Josiah published a must-read essay. And here in D.C., workers are finalizing a giant new arena on the lawn of the White House, where, in a few weeks, the president will host a cage fight to celebrate 250 years of America. Which brings me to the latest issue of Sojourners… Well, aren’t we special? As the nation prepares to mark two-and-a-half centuries since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, many of the planned festivities are shaping up to be what Kenji Kuramitsu calls “a fusion of Christian nationalism with Roman-style gladiatorial entertainment.” Our June issue zeroes in on the myriad ways Christians are pushing back with truth and justice, including Kenji’s feature story, which offers tough love and gospel truth about the ongoing lure of American exceptionalism. Good News for U.S. Christians: We Aren’t Special It’s liberating to let go of hubris. By Kenji Kuramitsu Read the full article Advertisement I’m a bit biased, but… …if I can persuade you to read one piece this week, make it this essay from Sojourners senior associate opinion editor Josiah R. Daniels. In a world where news about Palestine is so often reduced to quick takes and news flashes, Josiah offers something different: a vulnerable story about how his friendships “over there” in Palestine changed the way he’s living here in the U.S. What I Witnessed in Palestine Made Me Think About My Gun What’s happening in Palestine is a crisis. My friend Omar, a Palestinian activist and theologian, helped me see that it’s also a mirror. By Josiah R. Daniels Read the full article AI for the common good This week the biggest news in artificial intelligence wasn’t a new trillion-dollar deal out of Silicon Valley, but a roughly 200,000-word document from the Vatican. In Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo argues not against abolishing AI, but rather intervening in its development to ensure it keeps the dignity of humans—not just the wealth of an elite few—at the forefront. Don’t want to read all 200,000 words? This 1,200-word piece from Nathan Schneider has you covered. AI Is the New Gilded Age. Pope Leo Has a Plan Pope Leo XIV is comparing AI to the Industrial Revolution as new alternatives to big AI firms take shape. By Nathan Schneider Read the full article Advertisements Action Alert: End the Blockade Against Cuba Join us now to contact Congress and demand an end to hostilities against Cuba. In this moment, we must follow the best traditions of our faith and extend our hand to Cuba in love and charity. Demand that we start true diplomatic talks paired with natural disaster aid for the island while respecting the Cuban people’s right to determine their own government. Action Alert: No War With Iran! Contact Congress now to demand peace and an end to the war with Iran. As Christians, we know that each and every life is precious and every step must be taken to avoid bloodshed. Instead of recklessly pursuing a policy of escalation, we demand an end to violence and vigorous oversight from Congress in pursuit of peace. Donate Subscribe Copyright © 2026 Sojourners. All rights reserved. 611 Pennsylvania Ave SE #342, Washington, DC 20003 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842