WCC News: WCC demands end to violence in Sudan, urges support for churches

In a statement, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee denounced the continued fighting in Sudan, and urged solidarity and assistance to the people and churches. A boy displaced by violence in the Darfur region of Sudan. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 25 November 2024 The statement demands “an end to the violence, and for all combatants to cease fire, ensure unfettered humanitarian access to conflict-affected communities, and to refrain from attacks on civilians, sexual, and gender-based violence and abuse, and other war crimes and crimes against humanity.” The WCC executive committee also denounced the provision of weapons and material support to the armed actors in Sudan by other States, serving only to sustain the violence and deepen the suffering of the people of Sudan. The statement urgently appeals “for all responsible members of the international community to provide adequate humanitarian assistance to sustain the lives of the people affected by this catastrophe, and to engage assertively for an end to the violence, for accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the combatants, and for justice, democracy, good governance, and sustainable peace in the country.” The WCC governing body encouraged “all efforts to support and strengthen the Sudan Council of Churches as an instrument for coordination and joint witness by the churches of Sudan, and for interfaith cooperation among Muslim and Christian leaders as they work together for peace, justice, and reconciliation in Sudan.” The statement proposes the establishment of a new international ecumenical network or forum to accompany the churches and people of Sudan in their search for peace and for justice, and as they rebuild their shattered lives and livelihoods. The statement concludes by urging “all WCC member churches and ecumenical and interfaith partners to pray, speak, and act for peace and justice for the people of Sudan.” The WCC executive committee is convening in Paralimni, Cyprus, from 21-26 November to focus on planning for 2025, including the budget and implementation of WCC strategies. The thematic focus of the gathering is on peace-building in the context of occupation, war, and conflicts. WCC executive committee statement on Appeal for the People of Sudan WCC moderator: “What do we mean when we talk about speaking truth to power?” (WCC news release, 21 November 2024) WCC general secretary highlights how WCC proclaims God’s justice in the world (WCC news release, 21 November 2024) WCC executive committee convenes in Cyprus with focus on peace-building (18 November 2024) Photo gallery of the WCC executive committee meeting in Cyprus 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland