WCC news: WCC extends prayers for all affected by earthquakes in Venezuela

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended prayers on behalf of the global fellowship to all those affected by two major earthquakes in Venezuela.  Photo: LWF World Service 25 June 2026 The quakes are reported to have left at least 188 dead, almost 1,000 injured, and hundreds missing, and to have caused widespread devastation in the country’s populous northern states. “Our prayers are for all those who have lost loved ones, for all who have been injured, and for the safe recovery of those still missing,” said Pillay. “We pray for the people of Venezuela, for whom the devastation of this natural disaster compounds current challenges in their country.” Pillay urged all members of the international community to respond generously with the emergency and humanitarian support needed in the aftermath of a disaster of this scale. “We invite all WCC member churches and all people of faith and goodwill to lift up the people of Venezuela in their prayers, for the condolence of the bereaved, the restoration of the missing to their families, for the healing of the injured, and for the recovery of the nation,” he said. 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