WCC NEWS: WCC general secretary to executive committee: “in Christ all things are held together”

Offering a comprehensive report of the World Council of Churches’ work to the executive committee, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed appreciation for the Colombian context, and determination that the WCC will remain unified even in a world rife with grave challenges. Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay presents his report to the WCC executive committee meeting in Bogota, Colombia, on 6 June. Photo: Camilo Garcia/WCC 06 June 2024 “Since the WCC executive committee’s last meeting, in November 2023 in Nigeria, the World Council of Churches has continued to walk, work, and pray on its Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity,” said Pillay. “It has progressively implemented its 2023-2030 Strategic Plan through programmatic initiatives, consultations, and appointments.” Pillay also noted that the WCC has grown stronger through solidarity, shared prayer, in-person visits, and robust communication. “And it has engaged in intense and wide-ranging international advocacy, addressing the world’s most conflictive environments,” Pillay noted. “As we know, the global challenges of the past years remain with us, and this year we see further challenges.” Pillay also noted that we live in difficult times, dominated by wars, factions, climate emergencies, hunger, poverty, and injustices. “In such a context the work of the WCC becomes ever more needed and relevant,” he said. “Amidst these challenges, the WCC remains committed and faithful in proclaiming justice, peace, reconciliation, and unity to the world.” We cannot tire in doing what we are called to do, he urged. “In line with the WCC Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, the executive committee meets here in Colombia as fellow co-pilgrims as we journey with the churches and people in this country in their quest for peace and security.” Pillay concluded by noting that the WCC member churches and ecumenical partners have worked together to make a very strong and vibrant WCC. “As everything around us may fall apart, let us as Christians be reminded that in Christ all things are held together.” The WCC executive committee is meeting in Bogota, Colombia, from 6-11 June, where the governing body will focus not only on the business of the WCC but also on absorbing the life and witness of churches at the heart of the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. Report of the WCC general secretary at the executive committee in Bogota, Colombia In Colombia, WCC executive committee will focus on life and witness of churches (WCC news release, 30 May 2024) WCC moderator urges “get involved in the struggles of the world by affirming hope” (WCC news release, 6 June 2024) 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