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WCC News: In standing up for children’s rights, WCC urges “our task is not only to protect children but to sustain the future”

A UN-hosted high-level “Stand Up for Children in War” event on 22 September provided a platform to reflect jointly to prevent and address violations against children in the context of armed conflict.  High Level Meeting on the occasion of the International Day of Peace at the UNCHR, "Calling for the Ethical Imperative to Stand Up for Children in War" on 22 September 2025 shared several voices of children, including Lin Lae from Thailand and Japan. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 23 September 2025 The meeting was part of the “Stand Up for Children in War” campaign, co-signed by more than 130 partner organizations, including the World Council of Churches (WCC). The event opened with a sharing of the current grave situation: over half of the world’s displaced population are children, according to the 2024 UN Report on Armed Conflict and Children, which also shows that sexual violence, family separation, trafficking, and abuse are all rising to alarming levels.  Amid not only conflict but lack of funding and extreme weather events, the gathering called for action, investment, and political will.  Arigatou International president Rev. Keishi Miyamoto, via a video message, noted that children are our future and a precious asset. “It is therefore urgent that we intensify our prayers and our actions, and call on the international community to protect children,” he said.  Those gathered observed a moment of silence for children who have been killed in conflict.  Florence Raymonde J. Gaspar shared a special statement on behalf of the UN office on Children and Armed Conflict. “Standing up for children in war is more urgent than ever,” she said. “Children pay the highest price in wars. As we speak, 473 million children are living in conflict.” WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed the importance of not only conversation—but action.  WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay speaks at the high-level event “Stand Up for Children in War” at the UNHCR office in Geneva, 22 September 2025. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC “Words fail to capture what it means for an innocent child to die in war,” he said. “The consequences are carried across generations and societies.” He emphasized the importance of working together, and invited churches to take initiatives such as strengthening awareness and advocacy; collaborating for strategic engagement; creating and fostering effective channels of dialogue with political leaders; calling for ceasefires and safeguarding of schools; and other actions.  “Simple initiatives can make a difference in safeguarding and protecting children in times of war,” he urged. Ambassadors from many countries spoke about examples of violations of child rights, and how they were addressed from different contexts. Children’s voices—sent via video from across the world—were aired throughout the gathering.  Seventeen-year-old Yara, from Sudan, described how war stole her childhood. “Childhood becomes about survival,” she said. “You lose your sense of safety.” She added that it’s not enough that she survived. “Peace means providing mental health support for children who have seen too much,” she said. “We, the children who have seen war, are not just symbols of tragedy—we are proof of resilience but we need you to match our resilience with your actions.” Gathering closed with a call to action/statement delivered jointly by Maria Lucia Uribe, executive director of Arigatou International Geneva, and Stefano Bosco, director of Public and International Affairs of Latter-Day Saints Charities. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC Rakan, from Palestine, described how, every day, the children ask: Will there be safety tomorrow?  “I wish religious leaders and all communities would stand with us,” he said. “We children want to see actions, not just words. The first thing I want from them is to stop the war immediately.” Pillay said he found it disturbing and tragic if we do not learn from the past. “Many of the problems that we see in the world are driven by politics and economic interests,” he said. “Our task is not only to protect children but to sustain the future.” The gathering closed with a call to action. “Childhood is a journey of growth, identity, and belonging,” it reads. “For the sake of our children, we must act.” The call advocates for an immediate ceasefire, and for creating safe spaces for children to speak and be heard. “We choose conscience over indifference, hope over despair, and ethical action over silence,” the calls reads.  Joint Statement – Stand Up For Children In War Learn more about the Stand Up for Children in War initiative A high-level event “Stand Up for Children in War” at the UNHCR was part of the campaign co-signed by more than 130 partner organizations, including the World Council of Churches (WCC). Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 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 356 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

EarthBeat Weekly: What happens when oil fracking and faith communities collide?

What happens when oil fracking and faith communities collide? EarthBeat Weekly Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change September 19, 2025 The property of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Wheeling, West Virginia (Courtesy of Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph) After Pope Francis published Laudato Si' in 2015, Reuters reported there were 235 oil wells on land owned by the Catholic Church in Oklahoma and Texas. In years since, oil wells on archdiocesan land in California have made news for their proximity to residential neighborhoods and schools.  As more has been learned about the planetary and human health hazards incurred by oil and gas drilling, some have pushed church organizations to divest of oil lands and other investments in fossil fuels. If given the choice whether or not to support the fossil fuel industry, Catholic teaching, energy ethicists and the late pope himself suggest church entities should not. But the Sisters of St. Joseph in Wheeling, West Virginia, face a different question: When an oil company has been given permission to drill on your land against your will, and offers take-it-or-leave-it compensation (but they're going to drill regardless), what's a Catholic to do? St. Joseph Sr. Helen Skormisley, in an op-ed originally published by the Charleston Gazette-Mail and republished at EarthBeat with permission, shares how her congregation is navigating that reality. "We may not be able to stop the fracking — and the likely poisoning of our community's water and air that comes with it — but we can use our voices to prevent the worst outcomes from here," writes Skormisley, who is the daughter, granddaughter and sister of miners. Read more: Fracking will invade, violate, pollute our land, says West Virginia Catholic sister     What else is new on EarthBeat?   Theology must address climate change, AI, other real concerns, pope says by Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service Because "true knowledge of God is realized in a life transformed by love," the Catholic Church needs theologians whose pursuit of understanding is framed by care for the real concerns of modern men and women, Pope Leo XIV said.   You don't have to be a superhero to honor the Season of Creation by Effie Caldarola, OSV News None of us individually is going to save the world. But each of us can do something. And here's something that's one of the world's largest sources of microplastic pollution and energy waste. I'm talking about clothes.   Orthodox patriarch visits US to meet with Trump, receive award for environmental work by Peter Smith, The Associated Press Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is making his first visit in four years to the United States, where he was scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump and receive honors for his environmental advocacy.   What's happening in other climate news: Houses of worship could help fuel the energy transition. Solar evangelists are hard at work on that —Liuan Huska for Inside Climate News California teen starts an online journal on the power of economics to confront climate change —Liza Gross for Inside Climate News It isn't just the U.S. The whole world has soured on climate politics. —David Wallace-Wells for the New York Times Magazine US senator calls on big oil to disclose suspected lobbying over Trump plan to axe key climate rule —Dharna Noor for the Guardian China, climate crisis and Cop31: five takeaways from the Pacific Islands Forum —Eva Corlett for the Guardian Illegal gold mining is fueling a 'mercury boom' in Mexico, poisoning people and the environment —Megan Janetsky and Teresa De Miguel for the Associated Press High school football isn't ready for more extreme heat —Emma Rubin for Atmos   Final Beat: Congratulations to Doreen Ajiambo on winning a 2025 Covering Climate Now Award in the international relations category for her coverage of African voices and women of faith at COP29! Doreen is the Africa/Middle East correspondent for NCR's sister publication, Global Sisters Report, and has contributed to EarthBeat's COP climate conference coverage for several years.  Of her work, the Covering Climate Now judges said: "Kenya-based reporter Doreen Ajiambo connects the unique challenges that African countries and women face amid climate change to the COP29 proceedings. … Judges applauded Ajiambo's focus on perspectives that are typically underrepresented in stories about global climate negotiations." You can revisit NCR's COP29 coverage in the "COP29 Azerbaijan" feature series. Thanks for reading EarthBeat. Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter sclary@ncronline.org     Featured Advertisers   Looking to Hire? Offering Retreats? Selling Books? Place an Ad in NCR's Online Classified Section for Only $75 per Month!   Advertisement

Truth and Action Roundup 9.19.25

View this email in your browser Welcome to the Truth and Action Roundup, your reliable weekly source of information, inspiration, and opportunities for action during the second Trump administration.  Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to continue receiving it. This week, we’ve seen an escalating and concerning use of lies and threats aimed at the Trump administration’s perceived enemies, with its allies, who have largely supported him, in lockstep. The most high-profile instance has been the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night television talk show. It's a chilling example of intimidation at work right now. The FCC chairman hinted at taking away station licenses, which was a key factor in ending the show. This shows how preemptive compliance is spreading through our civic institutions, including many churches. This follows the firing and suspension of professors, teachers, journalists, and other workers who have been seen as insufficiently mournful in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder.  While Kirk’s murder was a shocking act, which I’m sure is fueling part of this response, we also know the targets being named in the current threats from the Trump Administration and allies have long been the subject of such discourse. During a July 16 House Oversight Committee hearing, they accused faith-based organizations, which have long partnered with the federal government to help asylum seekers and migrants, of being “human traffickers” simply by existing and following their mission, which they have chosen as an outgrowth of their faith.  During this hearing, we heard many of the same lurid threats being shared again. We can recognize and must clearly state that this current effort is not only a continuation of the demonization that’s been aimed partly at Christians practicing their faith, but also a shameful opportunism in the wake of a tragedy. We must seize this moment to defend those who are under attack and insist that we will not allow our communities and churches to be undermined by falsehoods. We must also remain steadfast in our commitment to carrying out the work our faith demands, such as the mutual aid and protest actions we will continue to share and support, and refusing to bend in the face of empire.  — Rev. Moya Harris and Chad Stanton, Sojourners  In the News Here’s a look at what happened this week: 1) We continue to witness repression and crackdowns from the government and the broader society on several fronts: In the wake of last week’s assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, several prominent voices have lost jobs or suffered other personal and professional consequences for their comments about Kirk’s death. Trump has signaled his intention to use the assassination to investigate his political opponents on what he calls “the radical left.” The Trump administration faced a legal setback when an appeals court ruled that Lisa Cook can remain on the Federal Reserve Board for now, despite Trump’s attempt to fire her. Trump officials are pressuring federal prosecutors to bring charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud despite a lack of evidence found by investigators. James previously led prosecutions against Trump. 2) Trump’s immigration enforcement continues to violate human rights: A father who was shot and killed by ICE agents in Chicago had no criminal record, according to his attorney. The circumstances of the killing are disputed, with ICE and Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez's loved ones giving starkly differing accounts of what occurred. A federal judge expressed concern that a group of African nationals recently deported to Ghana may be rerouted by the government of Ghana to countries where they may face torture and imprisonment. A new lawsuit has accused DHS of using Ghana in this manner in the case of a bisexual man who feared torture if sent back to The Gambia, among other examples. 3) Israel has launched a new ground offensive into Gaza City despite new international condemnation of its actions in Gaza: Israel has cut communications to the city, where hundreds of thousands of people are estimated to remain. An independent U.N. commission released a report concluding that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel’s former military chief said that more than 10% of Gaza’s population has been killed or injured since the war began. 4) Two men were found dead, hanging in Mississippi within hours of each other, raising concerns of racial violence given the state’s legacy of lynching and racial terror. Autopsies are pending in both deaths. 5) There were significant developments in the ongoing controversies over child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his connections to prominent people. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie is leading efforts “to force a floor vote to compel the Justice Department to release further materials in the Epstein case,” according to POLITICO. FBI Director Kash Patel claimed that there is no credible information that Epstein trafficked women to anyone other than himself, despite the fact that alleged Epstein victims have detailed allegations against at least 20 other men. Images of Trump and Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle during Trump’s visit to the United Kingdom, leading to arrests. Take Action We’re partnering with the Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter for their Community Kickback tomorrow, on September 20th. Please support their efforts here. Free DC is planning to have a Congressional lobby day on September 29th, where they’ll be urging lawmakers to vote against bills attacking home rule in the district. What We’re Reading “Palestinian Christians Have A Warning For The American Church” | One thing was clear at the inaugural Church at the Crossroads conference: The American Church has reached a crossroads in Gaza. (By Josiah R. Daniels) Deep Breaths  This current news cycle is wreaking havoc on my body, mind, and spirit. My body is letting me know that things are not okay. Muscle spasms in places I forgot I had are telling me to slow down and get a hold of myself. All of this is too damn much. It makes me, in the words of Marvin Gaye, wanna holler and throw up both of my hands. Now is a good time to center down to the simple but essential deep breath. One slow inhale—holding it at the top—and one slow exhale at a time. Returning to the breath, that signal that we are yet alive to see each other’s face. This time around, I am going to go a bit deeper. Beyond just breathing, there's the process of respiration: the exchange of gases–taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Again and again, it keeps us alive. At a cellular level, oxygen helps break down the food we consume, releasing the energy our bodies need while removing the waste we don’t. Isn’t that what we also need spiritually? To breathe in the Spirit of God, gaining the power and clarity that the Holy provides. Then, to exhale the burdens that weigh us down—the toxins of despair and fear—the hindrances to our growth. There is too much in this world we cannot control, yet we let it take root in our minds and wear on our bodies. And there is so much we can do, but we often lack the energy because our breathing—both physical and spiritual—has been shallow. We try to do the work without the breath of God sustaining us. Beloved, we must return to the breath. We can't do this work while holding our breath and ignoring God’s Spirit. We need to engage in spiritual respiration—breathing in God’s power and breathing out what harms us—to strengthen ourselves for the work ahead. And we must breathe deeply, releasing what holds us back so we can move together toward life, justice, and flourishing. Breathe in… breathe out… I am inviting you on a sonic journey rooted in Black wisdom, Christian spirituality, and sacred sound. This was created to help us breathe, lament, ground, and rise again. There is no distinction between sacred and secular—only breath and spirit. Please join me. Playlist: Spiritual Respirations — Rev. Moya Harris, Senior Programs Director, Sojourners The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff: President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson Digital Content and Community Specialist: Kassandra Tapia Chief Program and Impact Officer: Bryan Epps Political Director: Chad V. Stanton Senior Program Director: Rev. Moya Harris Digital Education and Outreach Specialist: Cortnie Brooks Policy and Action Assistant: Trinity Williams Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims Donate Subscribe Copyright © 2025 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842