WCC news: WCC on Myanmar: “pray and act for peace, justice, and democracy”

In a minute on Myanmar, the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee lifted up the suffering of the people, churches, and faith communities of Myanmar for prayers, solidarity, advocacy, and action. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 21 May 2025 ‘While we have been meeting, funerals have been held in Myanmar for almost two dozen students and teachers reportedly killed in an airstrike on a local school by the military junta’s forces on 12 May,” noted the minute.  An attack on Ohe Htein Twin village, in Sagaing region’s township of Tabayin, is reported to have left as many as 100 people wounded.  “This incident is emblematic of the impact of military rule on people and communities throughout Myanmar since the military coup of 1 February 2021, compounded in late March by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake which caused many deaths and widespread destruction,” reads the minute. “Afflicted both by natural disasters and the brutality of the ruling military, the people and churches of Myanmar cry out for compassion and help.” The WCC executive committee urged all WCC member churches and partners to pray and act for peace, justice, and democracy in Myanmar, and for support for its people and churches. Read the full minute on Myanmar WCC central committee moderator: “we are called to be witnesses of Christ and his radical love" (WCC news release, 12 May 2025) In a challenging world, WCC general secretary calls for unity and strength among churches (WCC news release, 12 May 2025) WCC executive committee to convene with vision for future (WCC news release, 12 May 2025) 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