WCC news: WCC denounces Russian missile attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, denounced the Russian missile strike on a hardware store in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The strike resulted in at least 14 deaths and 40 people wounded.  August 2022: Irpin, Kyiv region, Ukraine. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 28 May 2024 “The World Council of Churches denounces all such attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure which have become a hallmark of Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine,” said Pillay. “Russia is providing a terrible example in its regular violation of some of the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, an example being followed in a tragically increasing number of contexts, including in Gaza and Sudan.” Pillay also expressed the hope that there will be accountability for all such violations, and justice for the victims of these crimes. “We pray for the strength and resilience of the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression, and urge the Russian leadership to turn back from this mutually destructive course,” he said. “We call for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue to end this invasion and for a peaceful future in Ukraine and Russia.” Read the full comment by the WCC general secretary 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