WCC NEWS: WCC expresses “very deep Christian concern” on COVID-19 outbreak in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

In a pastoral letter to the Korean Christian Federation, World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca expressed “very deep Christian concern” over the COVID-19 outbreak in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Near Pyongyang in North Korea, people pass through a railway crossing going about their daily business.  Photo: Sean Hawkey/Life on Earth 01 June 2022 “We stand with you in solidarity and prayer in the midst of this time of trial,” wrote Sauca. “We grieve with you before God, for the loss of those who have been taken by this pandemic.” Sauca also expressed solidarity with those who share the pain of those who are sick and suffering. “It is our hope and prayer that during this crisis God will continue to accompany you and uphold you as the North Korean people strives for healing and recovery,” Sauca wrote. “As a global community of faith, we affirm that, even amid our vulnerability, we trust in God who is our hope.” Sauca communicated a spirit of living hope. “While we all live amidst fear, anxiety, and uncertainty during this ongoing pandemic, may our faith and spiritual values sustain us to live with hope in God’s abundant mercies, love, care and protection,” he concluded. WCC pastoral letter to the Korean Christian Federation WCC expresses grave concern over COVID-19 outbreak in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (WCC news release, 17 May 2022) 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 352 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 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