WCC News: In press conference, WCC highlights how to bring hope amid world’s concerns

In a press conference on 14 November in Abuja, Nigera, the World Council of Churches (WCC) leadership of the central committee highlighted the WCC’s focus on some of the world’s most serious challenges, and how the WCC brings hope.  Closing press conference after the WCC Executive committee meeting in Abuja, Nigeria on 14 November 2023: WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, vice moderator of the WCC central committee archbishop Vicken Aykazian, vice moderator of the WCC central committee Rev. Merlyn Hyde Riley, moderator of the WCC central committee Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, and WCC president from Africa Most Rev. Dr Rufus Okikiola Ositelu. Photo: Aregbe Segun Abraham/WCC 15 November 2023 Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, reflected on how appreciative the WCC executive committee has been for the host churches in Nigeria as the governing body met in Abuja from 8-14 November. “We have been impressed by the religious vibrance of this country, not only by the beauty of the countryside, by the beauty of the people, but by the strong religious basis of Nigeria,” said Bedford-Strohm, highlighting an executive committee statement on Nigeria and its regional context. “I want to assure you of our prayers.” Rev. Merlyn Hyde Riley, vice-moderator of the WCC central committee, spoke of the WCC executive committee’s statement on the COP28. “The WCC is interested and is concerned about all justice issues, and climate justice is one of those issues. We are calling for greater attention to renewable energy, that we will now find alternative ways for sourcing and finding energy for our populations, that we will give great attention to global warming. It is important that, as we call for more renewable energy, that we are also calling for greater climate financing,” she said. H.E. Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian, vice-moderator of the WCC central committee, expressed deep appreciation for the WCC’s statement on the need for international response to the needs of Nagorno-Karabakh refugees. “Why the World Council of Churches?” he asked. “Because the World Council of Churches is an important organization in the world that tries to find a solution for those people who are suffering. We thank God for this organization and we thank the leadership of the World Council of Churches for following, and continuing to follow, what is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh.” Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary, in addition to offering an introductory overview of the WCC, spoke about the executive committee’s statement on Palestine and Israel.  “We work on a very broad scale of interreligious cooperation and collaboration in the field of peace efforts,” he said. “Since the attack of Hamas on Israel on 7 October, there has been continued retaliation by Israel, and so the situation in the Gaza is really, really bad. We have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Our view as the WCC is that violence and wars do not contribute to peaceful negotiations.” The press conference was offered a panel discussion followed by a question-and-answer session. In introducing the panel, His Holiness Rev. Dr Rufus Okikiola Ositelu, Church of the Lord (Prayer Fellowship) Worldwide, WCC president from Africa, gave a heartfelt message of gratitude to the WCC member churches and communities in Nigeria. “For this we say, thank you, and God bless you all,” he said. WCC executive committee closes with spirit of “together all the way” (WCC news release, 14 November 2023) WCC demands immediate ceasefire, humanitarian corridors in Palestine and Israel (WCC news release, 13 November 2023) WCC calls for international response to the needs of Nagorno-Karabakh refugees (WCC news release, 13 November 2023) WCC calls on COP28 to “rise above,” act collectively in addressing climate change (WCC news release, 13 November 2023) WCC urges government of Nigeria to do more to address economic injustice (WCC news release, 13 November 2023) Churches in Nigeria fill with music, dancing, and prayer as WCC visits (WCC news release, 14 November 2023) WCC “source of hope in this world,” says WCC moderator (WCC news release, 08 November 2023) WCC general secretary to executive committee: “How can we be God’s healing and restoring presence?” (WCC news release, 08 November 2023) WCC photo gallery of the WCC executive committee in Abuja, Nigeria 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