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Love, Justice, and Reproductive Health

A Framework for Churches
Alexa Dava

Christ’s call to love our neighbours as ourselves includes ensuring that all have access to the resources needed to live and flourish. And yet, societal barriers to reproductive health prevent many individuals from accessing necessary care. Love, Justice and Reproductive Health: A Framework for Churches invites churches to consider reproductive health from a perspective rooted in Christ’s love. It introduces key areas and addresses prevalent disparities within reproductive health outcomes. The framework encourages churches to act on this issue, providing programmatic suggestions for them to embody Christ’s love and justice within their own contexts.

Please send comments and questions to [email protected]
The author, Rev Alexa Dava is ordained with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and serves as project officer for Human Dignity and Reproductive Health at the WCC.

"Ecological repentance is the path to justice," says Metropolitan Serafim at COP29

At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim Kykotis of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, a longstanding participant in COPs as part of the World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation, highlighted the critical role of faith in addressing the climate crisis. He underscored the need for ecological repentance and the pivotal role of youth leadership in advancing climate justice.

United and Uniting Churches: Two Messages

Faith and Order Papers, Series 2, n. 225

Taken together, these two messages from international consultations, sponsored by the World Council of Churches, provide a valuable entry point for reflection on the self-understanding and mission of United and Uniting Churches in today’s world.
I. Going the Second Mile: A message of the 8th Consultation of United and Uniting Churches. Johannesburg, 29 October–5 November 2008
II. Living in Tents: A Message of the 9th Consultation of United and Uniting Churches. Chennai, 25 November–2 December 2015.
Two appendices provide documentary information about Faith and Order publications concerning United and Uniting Churches.

TUMEWEZA

Compendium of Good Practices for Ensuring Disability-Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender-Based Violence Services in United Republic of Tanzania

The Tumeweza compendium iss a vital resource for ensuring disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) services in the United Republic of Tanzania. It highlights the significant strides made towards improving accessibility and inclusivity in healthcare services, particularly through the efforts at Selian Lutheran Hospital and Nkinga Referral Hospital. The lessons learned from these initiatives provide a roadmap for other health facilities to follow, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities, government stakeholders, and faith-based organizations.
While the progress is commendable, there are still gaps that need to be addressed to fully realize inclusive healthcare services for women and girls with disabilities. These include improving infrastructure, enhancing communication between healthcare providers and patients with disabilities, and creating specific policies and procedures that ensure the dignity and autonomy of all individuals. The compendium underscores the necessity of continuous training, accessible information systems, and advocacy at all levels to ensure that no one is left behind.
Moving forward, it is essential for health facilities, policymakers, and development partners to prioritize the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all healthcare-related initiatives. By addressing the existing gaps and building on the good practices outlined in this compendium, Tanzania can continue to lead in the promotion of disability-inclusive SRHR and GBV services in the region and globally, ensuring that every woman and girl has the right to safe, accessible, and respectful healthcare.

In Fiji, churches help people cope with rising sea levels

Rev. Dr Semisi Turagavou, president of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, attended the recent World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting. He reflected on the unique needs in Fiji, as well as other Pacific islands, and spoke of the inspiration he drew from meeting with the WCC governing body.

Living Planet Monitor, Volume 1, Issue 1, Nov. 2024

Southern and Eastern Africa

This first issue of the Living Planet Monitor aims to monitor our commitment to sustainable food systems, conservation of land, ecological biodiversity, and water justice in Africa The Living Planet Monitor will give you an overview of the situation in a particular continent by monitoring indicators on food security, water resources, land use, and climate resilience. It is a key instrument for faith communities to stay informed on the current situation, share good practices and projects led by church-based organizations, and give hope and courage to transform the situation.

Interfaith collaboration drives WCC’s climate justice efforts at COP29

The World Council of Churches (WCC) collaborated with interfaith partners at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, to amplify faith communities’ moral and ethical advocacy for climate justice. This included participation in the Interfaith Talanoa Dialogue, support for the Interfaith Call to Action, moderating side events, and cohosting press conferences.

World Toilet Day 2024: Churches lead the call for dignified sanitation

The Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) Africa, in collaboration with the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Water Network and Norwegian Church Aid, hosted a hybrid workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, to mark World Toilet Day 2024. The event, themed Toilets—A Place for Peace,” highlighted sanitation's vital role in promoting health, dignity, and harmony across communities.

“We need to change strategies to get different results,” reflects Archbishop Rev. Julio Murray Thompson at COP29

At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the World Council of Churches (WCC) interviewed Archbishop Rev. Julio Murray Thompson of the Anglican Communion in Central America, moderator of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development. The conversation explored the WCC’s “Triple COPs” strategy, the commission’s ongoing work, and how faith communities can call for greater collaboration with governments and the private sector to ensure just and effective climate solutions.

“Youth are leaders now, not just tomorrow,” says Patricia Mungcal at COP29

During COP29, the World Council of Churches (WCC) interviewed Patricia Mungcal, a young climate advocate and humanitarian leader from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and a member of the ACT Alliance delegation. Speaking from Baku, Azerbaijan, Mungcal reflected on the challenges faced by frontline communities in disaster-prone regions, the barriers youth face in accessing decision-making spaces, and the hope she finds in collective resistance and solidarity.

Non-economic climate losses spotlighted by WCC at COP29

The World Council of Churches (WCC) co-hosted two side events addressing the non-economic impacts of climate change. These discussions focused on how climate change affects vulnerable communities worldwide, particularly Indigenous peoples, by disrupting cultural heritage, spiritual practices, and community resilience.

“We must move forward, walking with Jesus,” says Argentinian pastor on climate justice

During COP29, the World Council of Churches (WCC) interviewed Pastor Eugenio Albrecht from Argentina, communications officer for the Evangelical Church of the River Plate and a Lutheran World Federation Latin America Communications Network member. Albrecht reflected on his first COP experience, shared insights on Latin America's challenges, and emphasized the importance of diakonal faith in fostering hope and action for climate justice.

“We are called to protect Mother Earth,” says Aymara youth leader at COP29

During the busy environment of COP29, Wara Iris, a young Indigenous leader from Bolivias Aymara community, shared her reflections on the vital role of Indigenous people in the climate justice movement. Speaking from a perspective shaped deeply by her heritage and faith, she discussed the commitment that drives her advocacy and the powerful hope that sustains her work.