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Music-making, songwriting at United Theological College in Australia brings new expressions for students

Rev. Dr Mikie Roberts, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive for Spiritual Life and Faith and Order, is visiting Australia, where he shared the spirit and nuances of music-making, songwriting, and cross-confessional theology with students at the United Theological College in Sydney.

20 March 2025

Bible studies

Seven Weeks for Water 2025, week 3: "Symbiotic Guardianship: The Bond Between Humans and the Achachilas"

The third reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2025 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Jocabed Reina Solano Miselis, a daughter of the Gunadule nation in Panama. Being an Indigenous activist, she juxtaposes the indigenous spirituality and their integral connection with the nature, the “Achachilas” with the unsatiable desire of humans to exploit the nature for its resources, driven by capitalism. She introduces us to the indigenous belief system which is based on the reciprocity of mother earth and human beings, caring for each other.

17 March 2025

Statement: public statement

“Joint Interfaith Statement to the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.”

As people of faith representing diverse traditions, united in our common belief in the sanctity of life and the pursuit of justice, peace, and human dignity, we commend the States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) for your historic commitment and leadership in working toward a world without nuclear weapons. Each signature and ratification affirming this Treaty is an act of courage and beacon of hope, and we applaud you.

06 March 2025

Commission on International Affairs

Pacific Conference of Churches Regional Women’s Convening

Pacific Conference of Churches hosts Regional Women’s Convening in Fiji

The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) is coordinating a Regional Women’s Convening from 10 to 13 February in Lautokoa, Fiji. More than 50 women from 30 member churches, 10 national councils, and 18 countries and territories in the region, including Australia and New Zealand, are attending.

12 February 2025

Report

Report of the WCC general secretary at the executive committee in Paralimni, Cyprus

Report of the WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay at the WCC executive committee meeting convening in Paralimni, Cyprus, 21-26 November 2024.

21 November 2024

Executive committee

Photo 7 Mountain-Province-Philippines.jpg

“Creation itself is a teacher,” urge faith leaders at COP29 prayer service

As COP29 opened today in Baku, Azerbaijan, the World Council of Churches (WCC) held an online ecumenical service where Rev. Charissa Suli, president of the Uniting Church in Australia, delivered a sermon urging decisive action for climate justice. Drawing from scripture and the wisdom of Indigenous communities, Suli called on global leaders to move beyond incremental changes toward profound transformation in their approach to climate stewardship.

11 November 2024

People pose for a group photo in front of a large screen where people have joined via video conference.

WCC welcomes diverse array of visitors

The World Council of Churches (WCC) hosted a diverse array of visitors from across the world last week, engaging in discussions on topic ranging from children’s rights to unity, communication strategies and health and healing to the Middle East.

09 September 2024

Rev. Dr Gondarra Oam leaves legacy of spirituality, human rights advocacy

The ecumenical world is mourning the passing of Rev. Dr Gondarra Oam, a giant in the life of the Uniting Church and Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, and a revered Yolŋu leader.

26 June 2024

Sermon

A Homily by the WCC General Secretary in St. Peter’s Cathedral in Adelaide

A Homily "Christ our spiritual compass and hope" in St. Peter’s Cathedral in Adelaide, Australia, 23 June 2024 by Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary

23 June 2024

General Secretary

Lecture - Speech

Address to the 11th Forum of the National Council of Churches in Australia by WCC general secretary

Address to the 11th Forum of the National Council of Churches in Australia by Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary on 21 June 2024.

23 June 2024

General Secretary

WCC general secretary will make inaugural visit to Australia

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay will visit Australia from 21-26 June, his first visit to the nation in his current WCC leadership post.

19 June 2024

Religious leaders uniting for climate peace in solidarity with refugees, boost UN conference

The moment religious leaders from around 40 faith-based organisations worldwide agreed to keep defending the individual right to seek asylum during a gathering in Geneva marked a high point on the eve of the Global Refugee Forum, the world's biggest such international gathering.They met at a one-day event on 12 December at the World Council of Churches (WCC), chaired by an Armenian archbishop and a UN diplomat who was once a Turkish legislator.

14 December 2023

"Legend of Our Times," Sylvia Ross Talbot, dies at 89

The life and ministry of Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot, a church leader whose ecumenical dedication included service as the WCC’s vice-moderator in the 1980s and president of Church Women United, was celebrated last weekend in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

She died 15 May at the age of 89.

18 July 2023

Impact of climate change: women and children bearing the brunt

From 2020 to 2021, more than 50 million people were displaced due to weather events and faced risks of trafficking and even death as well as discrimination based on race and gender. This finding emerged from the report of Ian Fry, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, to the 53rd session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva from 19 June-14 July.

03 July 2023

How to stop killer robots: Technology is outpacing diplomacy at UN talks

The year 2023 marks a decade of diplomatic debate about autonomous weapons – so-called ‘killer robots’. This decade has also seen accelerating development of such weapons systems in a number of countries. But efforts in the context of the Convention on Certain Conventional

05 April 2023

Interfaith dialogue promotes holistic reflection on climate change on eve of COP27 in Egypt

On the day before the official opening of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, representatives from different faiths gathered at Qesm Sharm Ash Sheikh, or The Heavenly Cathedral, home to congregants of the Coptic Orthodox Church, to share their perspectives on the climate crisis.

08 November 2022

WCC’s consensus process involves discerning God's will—and that means being patient

During the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly—and at other meetings of the WCC’s governing bodies—decisions are made via a consensus process. For the WCC, that means seeking a common mind about the wisest way forward while being open to fresh insights and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

03 October 2022

Statement: public statement

Statement on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

‘Behold I create new heavens in which life, justice and peace are possible for all’.

(Isaiah 65:17-25)

Indigenous Peoples are created with God-given identities that are beautiful. God was present in their lands and among their peoples before colonizers arrived. When Christians brought the Bible, Indigenous People recognized the voice of their Creator in Jesus’ teachings. They did not hear a call to reject their identities.

16 September 2022

Assembly