WCC News: Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm: Thursdays in Black “a witness to Jesus Christ”

Thursdays in Black ambassadors play a vital role in increasing the impact of our collective call for a world without rape and violence. Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm is moderator of the World Council of Churches. Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 12 October 2023 Why is gender-violence an important issue for churches?  Bishop Dr Bedford-Strohm: This issue can hardly be overestimated. Sexual violence against women and children is such a burning issue, especially for the churches due to two reasons. First, it is a topic still swept under the rug in societies and, sometimes, especially in churches. What should not be, cannot be. It is so important to provide safe spaces for victims of sexual violence so they can talk about what happened, and those who committed those crimes can be held responsible.  Secondly, churches are especially called to address this issue because they claim to be places in which the love of Jesus Christ is proclaimed and lived. It means moral bankruptcy if, under the wings of the churches, lives and souls are destroyed by sexual violence. Why do you support Thursdays in Black?  Bishop Dr Bedford-Strohm: We must address this issue everywhere, and as clearly as possible. That is why I wholeheartedly support the campaign Thursdays in Black, and I ask you all to address the issue wherever you have the possibility. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself died as a victim of violence. That is why I believe that standing by victims of sexual violence today is witness to Jesus Christ. Learn more about Thursdays in Black Just Community of Women and Men #ThursdaysInBlack ambassador - Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC CC moderator 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