WCC NEWS: WCC executive committee calls churches to work for peace

In a statement entitled “From the Proliferation of War to the Way of Just Peace: A Renewed Ecumenical Appeal,” the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee called churches to work for peace with every means at their disposal. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 12 June 2026 “The ecumenical fellowship has spoken clearly and consistently: war is contrary to God’s will,” the statement reads. “This foundational affirmation, reaffirmed by WCC governing bodies across many decades and many contexts, is a summons to prophetic witness and courageous action.” The statement calls on churches and religious leaders to resist and repudiate the use of misleading and irresponsible theologies to justify war wherever they appear, including within their own traditions. The statement also affirms the WCC’s continued accompaniment of member churches in all regions affected by conflict. The governing body is meeting online from 8 to 12 June. Read the full statement  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