WCC News: For refugees, churches “need to exercise their prophetic voice”

During a panel discussion on “Shared Sacred Flourishing,” religious leaders reflected on why words aren’t enough, what it means to exercise a prophetic voice, and the issue of the misuse of religion.  Panel discussion on “Shared Sacred Flourishing”, organized by Religions for Peace and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 28 July 2026. Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC 29 July 2026 The dialogue, on 28 July, was organized by Religions for Peace and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  H. E. Metropolitan Emmanuel, Elder Metropolitan of Chalcedon, member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee and chair of the Advisory Board of the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities, moderated the discussion.  He noted the importance of journeying with refugees, not speaking for them. “This essence lies hidden in the communities,” he said.  He later added, “Words are not enough,” as he asked the speakers to briefly reflect on what more religious leaders and faith actors can do for refugees, stateless persons, and other displaced people.  Bishop Mark Edington, bishop in Charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, said that churches can exercise their prophetic voice. “In particular, we need to exercise our prophetic voice to challenge the negative caricatures,” he said. “The question we should ask refugees is not ‘what do you need,’ but ‘tell me your story.’ Because without that we are just having a conversation among ourselves.” Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, spoke out about the misuse of religion. “Looking at the two world superpowers, those leaders are a terrible example of the misuse of religions,” he said, giving the example of Russia and the United States. “In Russia and the United States, the persecution of people is done in the name of Jesus Christ.” Bedford-Strohm emphasized that churches need to be visible and hearable in public advocacy. “We cannot pray in any way without doing justice, and we need to make that clear, and we need to make it prophetically and publicly hearable.” In addition to the dialogue, the day included a commemorative event marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The dialogue brought together partners with the Members of the Multi-Religious Council of Leaders, Religions for Peace, and UNHCR leadership, to explore how values-based approaches can strengthen protection, dignity, social cohesion, and solutions for displaced populations, and provided a space for open exchange between humanitarian actors and faith leaders in a spirit of collaboration. It was also an opportunity to hear more about the “Shared Sacred Flourishing” framework and its relevance to displacement contexts. WCC to enter Dialogue on Displacement and Shared Sacred Flourishing (WCC news release, 27 July 2026) Multi-Religious Council of Leaders | UNHCR WCC, UN Refugee Agency sign historic memorandum of understanding that deepens collaboration (WCC news release, 1 June 2026) WCC leaders visit UN Refugee Agency (WCC news release, 9 June 2026) 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

GreenFaith - ICYMI: Next Week Faith Communities Prepare to Take Action

The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has made clear that too many of our nation's priorities favor powerful interests over the well-being of people, communities, and creation. At this moment, people of faith have a moral responsibility not only to speak out, but to bring our values into the public square through bold, visible acts of hope, justice, and solidarity. That's why GreenFaith is a partner of the faith-led coalition Covenant for Our Future. For us, faith has always been more than something we believe; it is something we live, witness to, and bring into the public square. As we prepare for the Covenant for Our Future Week of Action (August 23–30), GreenFaith invites you to join us for Prophetic Presence: Faith in the Public Square on Monday, August 3, at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET. Interested? Register for the August 3rd Call Here! This interactive training will explore how people of diverse faith traditions can create visually powerful, spiritually grounded public actions that inspire hope, communicate our shared values, and move people to action. Together, we'll discuss how to incorporate music, art, religious symbols, ritual, and storytelling into public witness, while also covering practical tips for staging actions that resonate in person and through compelling photos and videos. Whether you're planning an event for your congregation, organizing with your community, or simply looking for inspiration, this training will help equip you to take part in the Covenant for Our Future campaign with creativity, courage, and moral clarity. We hope you'll join us as we prepare to lift up a bold, faithful vision for a more just and livable future. Prophetic Presence: Faith in the Public Square Monday, August 3 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET Register today! In hope, Rev. Amy Brooks Paradise GreenFaith US, Organizing Coordinator PS: If you haven’t made your affirmation of the Covenant for Our Future yet, now’s your chance! You can do so here. Building a Worldwide, Multi-faith Climate and Environmental Movement.    1216 Broadway Floor 2 PMB 1005 New York, NY 10001 +1-917-997-8783 Copyright © 2022 GreenFaith - All rights reserved.

SojoAction Alert - Tell Trump To Listen To Congress On Iran

View this email in your browser As Christians we must demand peace Update: This morning, President Trump is meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as we continue the war with Iran. This deadly conflict is not supported by the American people, and we need Congress to assert its war powers. We need Congress to continue to demand that the Trump Administration come into compliance with the Constitution while pursuing peace through diplomacy. It has now been more than sixty days since President Trump launched air strikes on Iran in an act of war. It is important that Congress asserts its constitutional duty. While the current ceasefire is being tested in the Strait of Hormuz, Congress cannot let Trump and his Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, reset the clock on seeking approval by simply changing the name of their operation. This reckless course of action has endangered the lives of countless people across the Middle East as well as United States service members, and it can no longer continue. The decision to declare war lies with Congress, and the continued chaos caused by these military actions demonstrates the need for Congress to step in and do its constitutional duty to rein in or stop this illegal war and return to a diplomatic approach that promises peace for all. Contact Congress Now! As Christians, we believe that “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9). With President Trump declaring the current ceasefire to be on “life support”, in this moment, we demand that our representatives in both the House and Senate act to create peace in accordance with our beliefs. Since President Trump ended the successfully negotiated Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), we have seen him launch multiple strikes against Iran without any measurable progress towards peace. Congress must once again demand a diplomatic approach to preventing the growth of nuclear arms. This war against Iran has already set off a ruinous regional conflict, which has seen commerce disrupted, people permanently injured, and too many precious lives lost. As Christians, we know that each and every life is precious and every step must be taken to avoid any further bloodshed.  Instead of recklessly continuing a policy of escalation, we demand an end to violence and vigorous oversight from Congress in pursuit of peace. Act Now In faith, Adam Russell Taylor President, Sojourners Unsubscribe or update email preferences Copyright © 2026 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842

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

WCC News: WCC condemns deadly drone strike on monastery in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay strongly condemned the reported drone strike on the Abbay Giyorgis St Arsema Unity Monastery in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region on 22 July. The strike reportedly killed two civilians and injured several others, including women who had gathered to prepare food for a religious commemoration. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 28 July 2026 “The reported attack on a place of worship and the killing and wounding of civilians is deeply disturbing and utterly unacceptable,” said Pillay. “Religious institutions and civilians must never be targeted or placed in the path of military operations.” He called for an end to the continued violence and reported attacks on civilian communities and religious sites in the Amhara Region. “The World Council of Churches calls for an immediate, credible, transparent, and impartial investigation into this incident and for those responsible to be held accountable,” Pillay said. “All parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law and their responsibility to protect civilians and religious institutions.” Pillay urged the government of Ethiopia and all parties to the conflict to end the cycle of violence, stop attacks that cause suffering of innocent people, and pursue a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those killed, pray for the healing of the injured, and stand in Christian solidarity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the people of Ethiopia,” he concluded. “May the God of peace comfort those who mourn, protect the innocent, and guide Ethiopia towards justice, reconciliation, and sustainable peace.” WCC General Secretary Condemns Deadly Drone Strike on Monastery in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region 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