WCC news: WCC expresses grave concern over seizure of St Peter’s Evangelical Church and Synod Secretariat in Tehran

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed grave concern over the seizure of the St Peter’s Evangelical Church and Synod Secretariat compound in Tehran, the eviction of its residents, and the reported interruption of worship at this historic church. “The confiscation of church property and displacement of its community constitute a serious violation of freedom of religion or belief and threaten Iran’s longstanding Christian presence and heritage,” he said. “These developments are especially troubling in light of other recent measures affecting churches and Christian communities in the country.” Pillay called upon the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to reverse the seizure, restore the compound to the Council of Evangelical Churches of Iran, allow residents and worshippers to return, and ensure the protection of all Christian communities and places of worship. “The WCC stands in solidarity with the Council of Evangelical Churches of Iran and all those affected, and urges the Iranian authorities to uphold human dignity, religious freedom, and the rights of religious minorities in accordance with international human rights law,” Pillay concluded. Read the full statement  WCC statement on the demolition of historic Evangelical Church in Mashhad and threats to Evangelical Church properties in Tehran (WCC statement, 18 June 2026) add here 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