WCC NEWS: WCC expresses concern for Christian presence and witness in Syria

On 5 April, World Council of Churches (WCC) leadership and staff met with representatives of WCC member churches from Syria, who came to the Bossey Ecumenical Institute for consultations on the WCC’s longstanding programmatic work relating to Syria. WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, was the convener of the gathering.  Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 05 April 2022 "Participants in the meeting joined in affirming the ecumenical movement’s deep concern for the Christian physical presence and witness in Syria and the whole Middle East region, and the importance of international ecumenical solidarity with the churches and Christian communities living and witnessing in Syria, playing their essential role as part of the diversity of Syrian society, and affected by the impact of sanctions on their life and work,” reads a message from the group. “WCC and the member church representatives participating in the meeting committed to closer collaboration in responding to the needs and aspirations of Syrian Christians for their future in a peaceful, diverse and inclusive Syria.” All participants expressed the hope that a long-envisaged pastoral and humanitarian visit to Syria by the WCC general secretary, jointly with ACT Alliance, might be realized in the near future. Read the full Communique from Syria meeting Participants of the consultation on Syria at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute. Photo: WCC 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