WCC News: WCC diakonia group charts the path forward on eco-diakonia and decolonization

The Ecumenical Diakonia Reference Group, established by the World Council of Churches (WCC), held its inaugural meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, from 30 September to 2 October. The group, cochaired by Rev. Pauliina Parhiala (Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission) and Rebecca Teiko Sabah (Presbyterian Church of Ghana), focused on topics such as climate justice, decolonization, and diaconal collaboration.  The Ecumenical Diakonia Reference Group, meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, from 30 September to 2 October.  15 October 2024 Focusing on diakonia's role in addressing global challenges, the group committed to advancing these critical issues within the ecumenical movement. “I am inspired and thrilled by the expertise and bravery within the reference group to address challenging issues such as decolonization and power dynamics in diakonia,” said Parhiala. “Additionally, I am excited about our collective efforts to deepen our understanding of eco-diakonia and the role social action of the churches has amid the climate crisis. Addressing topics like these is crucial for securing human rights and access to social services for those left behind and maintaining the diaconal relevance of the church and the entire ecumenical movement.” The WCC Armenia Round Table Foundation hosted the meeting. The group visited local diaconal projects that address economic, health, and environmental challenges. They also discussed the displacement of over 115,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh following a military attack by Azerbaijan. The group expressed deep solidarity with the Armenian people and urged WCC member churches to support their ministry and advocate for the rights of displaced Armenians. Dr Joycia Thorat (previously with the Church's Auxiliary for Social Action in India), a member of the reference group, highlighted the importance of the meeting. “The Ecumenical Diakonia Reference Group meeting was a wonderful coming together of WCC and ACT Alliance members, deliberating about greater collaboration, capacity sharing, and decolonization on climate and other justice concerns, thereby strengthening diaconal ministry across nations and regions,” she said. “We are witnessing the ‘Call to Transformation: Ecumenical Diakonia’ document becoming a reality since the work began a decade ago. I am excited to contribute with every member to see our church and specialized ministries transforming the world.” The group identified three priority areas for future work: climate justice and diakonia, diaconal collaboration and decolonization, and capacity sharing for diaconal formation. These areas will guide their collaborative work with WCC member churches, ACT Alliance, and ecumenical partners. In their communique, the reference group called on churches and communities to invest in long-term relationships and sustainable solutions, reaffirming their commitment to the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. Read the Communique here Read more about WCC work on Diakonia 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