WCC news: WCC grieves deaths of hostages in Gaza, calls for immediate ceasefire

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay joined all those grieving the loss of six hostages whose bodies were recovered from the Gaza Strip on 31 August.  Albin Hillert/WCC 2 September 2024 “Reports suggest that all six hostages were shot multiple times from close range in the preceding hours or days, indicating they were executed by their captors,” said Pillay. “We abhor such brutality and call for all the remaining hostages to be released immediately, unconditionally, and safely to their families and loved ones.” Pillay further expressed grief for all the lives lost – Israeli and Palestinian – in the ongoing war. “We call for an immediate ceasefire to end the violence, bloodshed, and destruction of communities, so that no more families must mourn the loss of their loved ones,” he said. “We appeal to all parties to remember their humanity, and their accountability before the most fundamental principles of law and morality, and before God.” 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