WCC NEWS: WCC general secretary reflects on how the climate crisis is deeply spiritual

In a recent interview with EWTN News, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), discusses how the climate crisis is not just an environmental but a spiritual issue. Photo: EWTN 18 August 2026 “Today, with what we are doing, we are not good stewards,” Pillay says. "We're not caring for the world as God has called us to care for it. We are exercising dominion. We are not thinking about generations that will follow.” During the interview, Christian Peschken, Geneva correspondent for EWTN Germany, asks: “Is the climate crisis more than an environmental, political, or economic issue?” Pillay discusses why caring for creation is also a matter of faith, human dignity, justice, and responsibility before God. The conversation explores the move from charity to structural change, the concept of climate justice, and whether care for creation can become common ground for cooperation between different faith communities. Pillay also explains the longstanding cooperation between the WCC and the Roman Catholic Church, particularly in addressing questions concerning creation, justice, and shared Christian responsibility. “The climate crisis is not just an environmental crisis. It is not just an economic crisis,” says Pillay. “It is a deeply spiritual crisis.” Pillay was also featured EWTN Germany interview on the topic “Can the Bible be used to justify discrimination?” 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