WCC NEWS: WCC general secretary reflects on daring to hope amid struggle

In his report to the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected on daring to hope in the context of struggle and pain. 8 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay presents his report to the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 18 June 2025 “I take special pleasure in welcoming you to this central committee meeting since it is taking place in the country of my birth and where I have lived all my life until January 2023 when I started as general secretary and relocated to Geneva,” he said. “This is home for me, and I am proud of my beautiful country despite its numerous challenges.” He noted that religious leaders and community-based organisations stood together to fight against the apartheid regime. “Such unity provided strength, energy, and determination to end apartheid,” he said. “Churches were able to engage the international community for solidarity, support, and actions against the apartheid regime.” He gave an overview of the WCC’s activities and programmes as they relate to the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, urging people to look behind the dark clouds of human cruelty, venality, stupidity, and indifference. There, always, is the permanently shining sun of hope, Pillay noted.  “Christians are people of hope, and the ecumenical movement is a counter-cultural movement of hope,” he said. “Inspired by the hope we have through our faith in God, we seek justice in the midst of injustice, compassion in the midst of cruelty, accountability in the midst of impunity, responsibility in the midst of careless consumption, and peace in the midst of the most brutal violence.” The fact of the matter is that we are living in very difficult times, Pillay said. "It is imperative that WCC continues to proclaim the message of peace and hope,” he said. “Indeed, Jesus is our peace and hope. This is not only the message but the gift we can offer to the world.” The WCC central committee is convening 18-24 June in Johannesburg, South Africa.    WCC Central Committee, June 2025 Report of the General Secretary to the WCC Central Committee, June 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