WCC news: WCC denounces Russian missile strikes on civilians and hospitals in Ukraine

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay denounced the missile strikes on Kyiv and other densely populated areas of Ukraine, which killed at least 34 people, and which severely damaged two of the country’s main hospitals for children and women, including the country’s largest paediatrics facility. Irpin, Kyiv region, Ukraine. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 8 July 2024 “It is"  said Pillay “the latest significant incident in which disregard for international humanitarian law has been evident.” Pillay emphasized that all those who target civilians and civilian infrastructure do so in violation of the most fundamental principles of law, ethics, morals, and religion. “In this brutal war resulting from Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, civilians are suffering the consequences every day” he said, noting that a recent UN report states that from March to May this year alone 436 civilians were killed and 1760 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine. However he observed that civilians in Russia are also suffering the consequences of this “unconscionable conflict”. “To prevent more bloodshed and destruction, all such violations must stop, and the war must end.” Read the full text WCC executive committee minute on the escalation of the war in Ukraine (11 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