WCC NEWS: Thursdays in Black Valentine’s Day message: Love heals, not hurts

As the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee is convening, many in the world are celebrating St Valentine’s Day. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 14 February 2022 WCC News invited a few members of the central committee to share a message on “Love heals, not hurts.” They also shared why they participate in the global Thursdays in Black  campaign—why they speak up against violence and rape. The special Valentine’s message, also shared via social media cards, is an annual tradition that’s part of the WCC’s work toward gender justice. The message is especially vital currently, as violence against women has increased under COVID-19-related restrictions, so much so that UN Women has labelled gender-based violence “the shadow pandemic.” According to their survey data, one in two women report that they, or someone they know, has experienced violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, three in five women believe that sexual harassment in public places has worsened, according to a UN survey. In short videos, WCC central committee members share the current reality of sexual and gender-based violence, why they participate in Thursdays in Black, and their belief in the faith imperative to speak for love that heals and supports. Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, WCC central committee vice moderator, recalled Jesus’ words, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Swenson urged: “Let’s practice that this Valentine’s Day and end violence against women.”   Watch these Valentine’s Day messages: Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, United Methodist Church and vice moderator, WCC central committee Rt Rev. Arnold C. Temple, Methodist Church, Sierra Leone Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, World Methodist Council Ms Miriam Jane Weibye, Church of Scotland Archbishop Emeritus Dr Anders Wejryd, Church of Sweden and WCC president for Europe Rev. Dr Mauro de Souza, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil 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