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The meeting follows the Reference Group’s first in-person gathering in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in March 2025, where participants strengthened relationships and developed shared theological and methodological foundations for the pilgrimage. The Vancouver meeting will focus on moving this work towards implementation, communication, reporting and strategic priorities for the next phase of the PJRU.
Since the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, 2022, the pilgrimage provides a framework for the ecumenical movement’s shared calling to journey together in pursuit of justice, reconciliation and unity. Rooted in a theology of companionship, it seeks to strengthen commitments to peace, solidarity and transformative action.
The Vancouver gathering will combine the work of the Reference Group with pilgrimage encounters involving Indigenous communities, churches, theological institutions, urban ministries and ecumenical partners. Participants will reflect on issues including Indigenous reconciliation, land and colonial history, eco-justice, migration, urban poverty and multicultural ecumenism.
WCC general secretary, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay said: “The Vancouver meeting will take the pilgrimage discussions to another level focusing on broadening and embedding the concept fully into the life and work of the fellowship. This will require integration and collaboration of WCC work at all levels building a new organisational culture.”
Among the expected outcomes are a refined Pilgrimage Toolkit, strengthened communication strategies, recommendations for WCC leadership, and a preliminary roadmap for the Reference Group’s work beyond 2026 and towards the WCC’s 12th Assembly.
“This meeting is an important moment for the Reference Group to move from shared reflection toward clearer implementation,” said Rev. Dr HyoJin Kim, WCC coordinator for the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation and Unity. “By listening to the Canadian context, especially the realities of Indigenous reconciliation, land, memory and justice, we hope to deepen the pilgrimage as a living framework for the churches.”
Learn more about the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity
