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Statement: minute

Minute on Bomb Attack on Mar Elias Church, Damascus

Minute on Bomb Attack on Mar Elias Church, Damascus, by the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 18-24 June 2025.

23 June 2025

Central Committee

Gender justice is “not a static moment,” WCC plenary finds

A gender justice plenary during the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting on 23 June featured “living legacies”—women who led during remarkable times in history and who are still calling for churches and societies to keep moving together.

23 June 2025

Video feature

18 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: A steward is pictured at work as people enjoy fellowship during the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’.

A life-changing experience for some WCC stewards—find out why

Meet some of the dedicated, enthusiastic stewards at the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee. They aren’t just the future of the ecumenical movement—they are the “now!” From producing dramas, to leading prayers, from handling logistics, to communicating prophetic messages, their voices are at the heart of the WCC governing body’s meeting, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 18-23 June.

23 June 2025

Interview

19 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: Stewards together with WCC programme executive for youth Abigayle Bolado gather for a photo at the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’.

If you are a steward, “you will be absolutely out of your head”

Three communications stewards at the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, became on-the-spot reporters, asking their fellow stewards some questions about their experiences at the meeting of the WCC convening body, and about how they see their wider role in the ecumenical movement.

23 June 2025

National Prayer Day in South Africa focuses on building a reconciled society

A National Prayer Day for Healing and Reconciliation was held 22 June at Grace Bible Church in Soweto under the theme “Confronting the Past: Building a Reconciled Society for Restoration and Dignity.”

23 June 2025

Interview

Rev. Frank Chikane speaking at the plenary

Rev. Frank Chikane reflects on times when people ask: “Where is God?”

Rev. Frank Chikane, pastor at Apostolic Faith Mission Church in South Africa, reflected on the time when the Kairos Document—a call to action in 1985 for churches amidst apartheid that emphasized God's rejection of oppression and urged engagement in social justice—was developed.

22 June 2025

People in the plenary with colourful ribbons in their hands

With prayer and commitment, WCC begins Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action

With prayer, reflections, and deep commitments from those gathered at the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting, the WCC began an Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action on 21 June.

21 June 2025

Photo essay

WCC regional meetings build inclusive synergy

In addition to the plenary discussions and business sessions that comprise the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee gathering, regional meetings also build an inclusive synergy that will travel back to churches and communities across the world.

21 June 2025

Three young women pictured dressed in white and performaing a drama where one person closes her eyes, extends her arm into the air, while holding a microphone, the other two looking on.

Going back 1700 years, what might we hear about courage and Christianity?

On 20 June, young people at the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee plenary brought the governing body back in time 1700 years, to when the first Ecumenical Council had just concluded.

20 June 2025

Photo essay

People meeting outside the conference venue

Confessional gatherings help ground contributions to global body of churches

Confessional meetings at the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee help ground people both in their own church traditions, and in the contributions they each have to make to the global fellowship of churches, participants say.

20 June 2025

WCC central committee moderator: “we will continue our pilgrimage, praying and doing justice”

World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, in his report to the WCC governing body, addressed how to share hope in a world beset by dramatically increasing suffering and violence.

19 June 2025

WCC general secretary presenting his report

WCC general secretary reflects on daring to hope amid struggle

In his report to the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected on daring to hope in the context of struggle and pain.

19 June 2025

Prof. Puleng LenkaBula speaking at the plenary

South African churches sound Kairos call for global justice and healing

At the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, participants reflected on the spiritual journey of South Africa’s liberation from apartheid and the ongoing pilgrimage towards justice, reconciliation, and unity.

19 June 2025

Is the world listening to the WCC? “We will not stop until they listen”

During a press conference on 18 June—the opening day of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee in Johannesburg, South Africa—a journalist’s question sparked candid answers: “Is the world listening to the WCC?"

19 June 2025

Percussion band plays during a welcome prayer

Welcomed by African churches, WCC central committee opens

Welcomed by African churches, the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee, held its opening prayer on 18 June, beginning a meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa that will run through 24 June.

19 June 2025

Report of the General Secretary to the WCC Central Committee, June 2025

Report of the WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay to the WCC Central Committee meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa on 18-24 June 2025.

18 June 2025

General Secretary

Moderator’s Address to the Central Committee, June 2025

Address of bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee, at the WCC central committee meeting on 18-24 June 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

18 June 2025

Central Committee

Informe del secretario general, Comité Central, junio de 2025

Informe del secretario general, el Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, Comité Central, 18-24 de junio de 2025, Johannesburgo, Sudáfrica

17 June 2025

General Secretary