WCC NEWS: WCC forges new connections at 79th World Health Assembly

Amid the current Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding countries, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended heartfelt solidarity and prayers for families who are afraid and all who are grieving.  Health care personnel at front line of Ebola response in Beni, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, during the Ebola outbreak in 2019. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 28 May 2026 “As health organizations record over 900 suspected cases and at least 223 suspected deaths, health workers and local caregivers are serving under severe strain in contexts marked by violence, displacement, insecurity, and fragile health systems,” Pillay noted. “In this hour, the church is called to be close to those who suffer.” Pillay noted that the faithful witness of churches becomes a sign of God’s healing love at work amid suffering. “The last major Ebola outbreak revealed the crucial role of churches with a shared purpose, vital social networks, organisational capacity, and the trust communities have in churches,” he wrote. “It is our hope and prayer the proven good practices that faith communities have successfully carried out, will be scaled up.” He expressed solidarity with churches that are sharing accurate health information; resisting stigma, rumours, and fear; encouraging people to seek care early; and upholding safe and dignified burial practices and other measures that protect life and honour the dead.  "Congregations have also shown great success by ensuring that places of worship model safe practices, including hand hygiene, avoiding physical contact where necessary, and encouraging early care-seeking,” Pillay wrote. “Faith leaders also accompany families in grief through safe and dignified practices, while helping communities understand and accept public health measures.” Actions taken faithfully at the local level, Pillay noted, contribute significantly to saving lives and strengthening trust within communities. “May the Holy Spirit strengthen the churches of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and the whole ecumenical fellowship in hope, truthful witness, and steadfast solidarity as you journey through these difficult times,” Pillay concluded.  Read the full letter WCC deeply concerned by escalating Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda 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