WCC News: Lent resource on modern slavery “True Freedom” available in six languages

A Lent resource addressing modern slavery, prepared by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in partnership with The Clewer Initiative, is available for churches and communities supporting efforts to strengthen protection against exploitation. A boy flies a kite in the Jamtoli Refugee Camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. More than 600,000 Rohingya refugees have fled government-sanctioned violence in Myanmar for safety in this and other camps in Bangladesh. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 20 February 2026 Titled “True Freedom,” the resource aligns with Churches' Commitments to Children by the WCC, and has a particular focus on ending child slavery. This six-week course draws on themes from the book of Galatians, and is designed to encourage individuals and churches to respond to modern slavery in their communities. “The resource raises awareness on the responsibilities of Christians to address the injustices and vulnerabilities which push people into modern slavery,” said Frederique Seidel, WCC senior programme lead for Children and Climate. “For churches, congregations, and individuals, it is important to understand how the prevalence of modern slavery is also increasing as a result of climate crisis.” True Freedom includes Bible studies on the book of Galatians, questions for group discussion and reflection, case studies from around the world, and statistics about modern slavery in the world today. The resource also includes reflections by Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace; and Bishop Alastair Redfern, chair of The Clewer Initiative, as well as action points for different contexts. True Freedom is available for free download in English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Korean. True Freedom: Global Course for Lent Learn more about The Clewer Initiative  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