WCC news: WCC joins Bangladesh churches in urging just, peaceful transition

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended solidarity and support to the Bangladeshi people as the nation faces a critical time of uncertainty.  Downtown area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 6 August 2024 Pillay urged the Bangladeshi military forces to prioritize the swift return to civilian rule. “The establishment of a stable, democratic government is crucial for the nation's long-term peace and prosperity,” Pillay said. “ We encourage all parties to engage in dialogue and work collaboratively towards a peaceful transition.” The WCC reaffirmed the National Council of Churches in Bangladesh’s call for prayers for the protection of ethnic and religious minorities that are currently under attack in different parts of the country. “Furthermore, the WCC emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the well-being of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh,” added Pillay. “These individuals, who have already faced immense hardship, must be protected and their rights upheld during this period of political change.” Protecting vulnerable people Christopher Adhikari, president of the Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha and a WCC central committee member, described the country’s vulnerable state of law and order.  “There are reports of burning Hindu temples and attacks on both Hindu and Christian families by some political, non-student groups,” Adhikari said. “Low daily earning class people are seriously affected due to long-term blockades and curfews.” Rev. John Karmakar, general secretary of the Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha, emphasized the importance of praying for minority populations in Bangladesh to try to reduce violence.  “We want to arrange inter-religious dialogue and solidarity within the different religion groups and local governments as soon as possible,” he said. “Please continue praying for peace and justice.” The National Council of Churches in Bangladesh, in a statement released 6 August, voiced support for peaceful and just solutions. “At present the overall situation is almost under control,” the statement reads. “General people are getting back their normal life.”  But, the statement noted, many churches and offices of Christians and other minority groups have been vandalized. “Please keep praying for all minorities, including our Christian people, churches, and organizations, for their security and peaceful life, and especially for the normalization for the country’s situation and for establishing justice, human rights, and peaceful solutions,” the statement concludes. Read the full statement 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