WCC NEWS: “Anti-racist in Christ?” Online event will consider Christian repentance, action

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Council for World Mission, from 14-17 June, will present online the ecumenical event “Anti-racist in Christ? Ecumenical Christian Repentance, Reflection and Action on Racial Discrimination and Xenophobia.” Clergy takes a stand united in Christ against white supremacy and all forms of racism by marching in silent protest through Charlottesville, USA, August 2017, Photo: Steven D. Martin/NCCUSA 11 June 2021 Both organizations are pursuing work and policies to confront racism and to invite anti-racist action, habits and policies among their members and partnerships. Through a series of daily webinars, the event will strengthen and stimulate the ecumenical conversation in preparation for the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany in September 2022 by focusing on four thematic areas: setting racism within colonial and neo-imperial contexts; the legacy of mission agencies, including false ideologies of race; models for anti-racist action for dominant racial groups; and anti-racist markers for churches. Participants at the conference will begin to develop the foundation of an ecumenical anti-racist/racial justice network. They will also identify and develop theological reflections and resources for churches on antiracism. In a creative structure designed to promote inclusivity, each webinar will be organised twice daily to make sure that all regions are involved in the conversation. The morning webinars will involve speakers from Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle-East and the Pacific. The afternoon sessions will involve speakers and participants from the Caribbean, Europe, North America, as well as Central and South America. The virtual event is one more contribution of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) to the ecumenical work on racial justice and will serve as an opportunity to mark the 75th anniversary of the commission.   Register here to attend the online event “Anti-racist in Christ?”, 14-17 June 2021   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 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland