WCC NEWS: As fires rage across the world, WCC expresses solidarity with churches and survivors

As wildfires continue to rage in Greece, the USA, Albania, and Russia, the World Council of Churches (WCC) reached out in solidarity to churches and communities that continue to be evacuated as well as those who have lost everything.  Photo: Sean Hawkey/WCC 11 August 2021 In a series of pastoral letters, WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca extended prayers to millions of people who are struggling to come to terms with the trauma and devastation wrought by the recent wildfires.  “It is becoming more and more obvious that the fires this year all over the world are not of the same scale as in previous years,” wrote Sauca. “They are part of the extreme phenomena increasingly observed as a consequence of the climate change.” “This tragic situation is mobilizing many countries that are joining their forces to rescue those suffering from such a natural catastrophe,” he said. “We are also thankful for those professionals and volunteers who are participating in the operations risking their own lives.” He also acknowledged that churches are providing comfort and counsel, hospitality and hope, strength and solidarity.  “I pray that God’s good grace and wisdom will empower and strengthen you as you continue to lead the people through these difficult times,” Sauca concluded.  WCC solidarity letter to H.A.H. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartolomew WCC solidarity letter to H.H. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia WCC solidarity letter to H.B. Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos II WCC solidarity letter to H.B. Archbishop Prof. Dr Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania WCC solidarity letter to the Evangelical Church of Greece WCC solidarity letter to the churches in the United States of America As UN releases climate change report, WCC urges “the signs of the times have never been clearer” - WCC news release 9 August 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 349 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