WCC News: At “Churches Together South Australia” event, WCC imagines a safer world

Speaking on behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC) at a “Churches Together South Australia” event on 13 August, WCC director of international affairs Peter Prove offered an address on “Imagining a Safer World.” 4 September 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: During the WCC assembly a session on peace-buildinwas addressed by Peter Prove of WCC. The 11th assembly of the World Council of Churches from August 31 to September 8 has the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." Photo: Sean Hawkey/WCC 14 August 2023 The topic of conversation is not an easy one, he acknowledged. “Given the complex convergences of conflict, climate change, and political and financial crises, it’s harder than ever to imagine a safer world,” he said. “But of course despite – or rather because of – the increased challenges, we must not only imagine but concretely work for a safer world.” Prove noted that the WCC 11th Assembly tried to grapple with the complexity of current converging threats to sustainable and just peace. “Dialogue and encounter across divisions is the core purpose of the WCC, and is also our prescription in every case of conflict and tension, and for a safer world,” he said. “The absence of dialogue never alleviates tensions or conflict, but can only exacerbate them. “ This is not an abstract principle, but is demonstrably true, Prove emphasized. “Unfortunately, human beings – or more specifically men – have shown extraordinary ingenuity in amplifying our capabilities to kill each other,” he said. “And no weapons category amplifies the risks of conflict more than nuclear weapons – the most indiscriminately and catastrophically destructive weapons ever invented.” Nuclear disarmament has been a priority of the WCC since its establishment in 1948. “They must be eliminated, as soon as possible, to remove an existential threat not only to human beings but to the whole living creation,” said Prove.  He also outlined other messages from the WCC 11th Assembly, and concluded by saying: “Actions for peace and for a safer world that you may take in your own contexts, if based securely on these faith principles, will be sound and – I believe – blessed by God.” Read the address by Peter Prove at “Churches Together South Australia” "The Things That Make For Peace: Moving the World to Reconciliation and Unity", Statement of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany WCC member churches in Australia 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 general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. 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