News and stories

Amidst increasing security issues in several African countries plagued by violence, political turmoil, religious intolerance and lack of democratic governance, churches are called to engage in peace-building, said African church leaders in a presentation on “Burning issues of insecurity in Africa” at a World Council of Churches (WCC) consultation in Kigali, Rwanda.

The dramatic events of 2011 brought an increased focus on the relevance of the church in pursuing just peace, said the WCC general secretary.

A consultation organized by the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs called for the church to become involved in wider advocacy initiatives to protect rights of the stateless people.

“Churches that practice or remain silent on caste discrimination cannot ascribe themselves the status of holiness”, said Metropolitan Dr Geevarghese Mor Coorilos, Bishop of the Malankara Jacobite Orthodox Church in India, and moderator of the WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism.

At the 10th General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches, participants renewed their commitment to unity, dialogue and peace amidst varied political developments in the region, and elected a new general secretary.

An ecumenical delegation visited Ivory Coast from 28 November to 4 December 2011 and met with churches and civil society representatives to express solidarity amidst violence and political turmoil in the country.

A communiqué adopted at a WCC consultation in Turkey advocates international standards of protecting religious minorities’ rights to freedom of religious expression.

Churches in Egypt are praying and helping migrants, who flee home due to political turmoil, violence and uncertain future. There is a great need to develop stable democratic societies if the “Arab Spring” is to bear fruits. Or else it might turn into an “Arab winter” with religious minorities at the risk of persecution.

Two international actions to curb the potential use of cluster bombs and nuclear weapons have been welcomed by the WCC general secretary.

At a recent meeting with the Brazilian minister for Human Rights, Maria do Rosário, the Rev. Dr Walter Altmann, moderator of the WCC Central Committee, expressed the support of the WCC for the implementation of a truth commission in the country.