Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation and Unity

The “Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity” is a global ecumenical journey in which churches and Christian communities walk, pray, and act together to promote justice, healing, reconciliation, peace, and Christian unity. It builds on the earlier WCC initiative called the “Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace,”  launched at the WCC’s 10th Assembly in Busan in 2013. 

The expanded framework called the “Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity” was proposed and launched at the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in September 2022.

What you will find here

This webpage brings together a toolkit that presents the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity as a transformative spiritual and practical framework for churches, ecumenical organizations, and communities worldwide. Grounded in theology, biblical reflection, and the practice of “See–Reflect–Act,” it offers methodologies, educational tools, liturgical resources, and case studies to support justice, reconciliation, climate action, and unity across diverse contexts. Emphasizing companionship, ethical engagement, and sustained transformation, the document guides participants from theological vision to practical implementation, helping communities move from symbolic gestures toward lasting accompaniment, healing, ecological responsibility, and collective action rooted in faith and hope.

The toolkit’s core method is a repeatable rhythm—See–Reflect–Act—implemented through the Pilgrimage Encounter Model (Preparation → Encounter → Continuity). It includes ready-to-use tools (listening circles, context walks, mapping, liturgical elements, storytelling and safeguarding guidance) and adaptable educational formats for diverse audiences.

This structure is intended to lead readers from shared vision to collaborative practice — from theological grounding to practical engagement — enabling the WCC to walk together more faithfully in its ongoing pilgrimage. The sections that follow move from shared vision and theological grounding to practical methodologies, tools, and examples for contextual implementation.

An Invitation to the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity

Let us walk together as companions in the Spirit, seeking justice, reconciliation, and unity in the light of Christ!

United in Christ, we hear the call to walk, pray, and act together, in response to the invitation of the Triune God to nurture the fullness of life for all (John 10:10; John 15:12-17), so that all may experience and know the amazing love of God in Christ (John 17:21).

We have been given a ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19) as disciples of Jesus and as communities and companions in faith, modelling our labours on Christ’s own love for all creation.

In the face of suffering, inequalities, ecological devastation, and the pain of division, we seek justice with the vulnerable earth and its people (Amos 5:4; Micah 6:8, Isa 1:17, 58:7-12; Zac. 7:10), especially for the least among us (Mt 25:40).

Christ’s call summons us to act boldly, speak prophetically, and work tirelessly, united in love. In that spirit, we invite all Christians, all churches, and all people of good will, to walk together on this journey of encounter, companionship, and transformation.

As the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), may our hearts burn within us as we walk, pray and act together in the presence of the Resurrected Christ, sharing bread, sharing life, and prayerfully listening to each other. Our theology of companionship invites us to see, reflect and act together for justice, reconciliation, and unity – to be transformed and transformative.

As we journey together, we encourage everyone to join this transformative way of: (link to Pilgrimage document):

• Celebrating the gifts (via positiva)
• Sharing the pain (via negativa)
• Embracing the way of transformation (via transformativa)

God calls us, Christ shows us, and the Spirit empowers us to journey toward justice and peace, transforming ourselves and our hurting world through the power of love.

May the pilgrim God accompany us, strengthen us for the road, and meet us every day in the fellowship of other pilgrims.

This section introduces the theological vision and guiding principles of pilgrimage as a journey of encounter, transformation, and shared responsibility. Rooted in the biblical witness of walking together, it presents pilgrimage as a practice of seeing, reflecting, and acting in response to the realities of God’s world. Through the commitments of justice, reconciliation, and unity, participants are invited to move beyond observation toward genuine companionship—listening deeply, honouring the experiences of communities, and engaging in faithful action that nurtures healing, solidarity, and lasting transformation.

Pilgrimage as Encounter 

The pilgrimage is a spiritually grounded encounter—a journey not only of movement, but of mutual transformation. Encounter is central to the pilgrimage methodology: as we meet people, histories, and realities in their contexts, we are called to see with clarity, reflect with compassion, and act with courage. This is not a model of “visiting” or “observing,” but of entering into relationships that invite truth-telling, repentance, healing, and sustained responsibility.

For this reason, participants are invited not simply as observers, but as companions on the way. Companionship is more than a warm sentiment; it is an ecclesial practice that shapes how we gather and how we learn. In companionship, we resist a consumer mindset and commit instead to mutuality: shared leadership, participatory learning, and accountability to one another and to the communities we encounter. The purpose is not to “take” stories or insights, but to co-create meaning through presence, listening, and faithful response—always respecting dignity, agency, and the terms set by those most affected.

This ethos echoes the Emmaus story (Luke 24), where transformation emerged through walking together, listening, shared reflection, and hospitality. In the same spirit, this toolkit encourages facilitators and participants to enter each session with humility and openness, trusting that Christ is present along the road and that the Holy Spirit forms the fellowship through practices of justice, reconciliation, and unity. May this journey be marked by courage and hope, and by the quiet joy of walking together toward God’s justice.

Theological Frameworks

Inspired by Luke 24 (the road to Emmaus) and grounded in the prayer of Christ in John 17:21 for unity, the pilgrimage affirms that walking together in faith is a sacred, transformative practice. This journey embraces the spiritual, the relational, and the practical: a movement that sees, reflects, and acts in response to the wounds and hopes of God’s world.

We are called to be companions – not merely visitors – and to encounter one another with humility, openness, and a deep commitment to justice, reconciliation, and unity.

The pilgrimage is not merely a metaphor but a transformative journey of faith, marked by hope, repentance, and communal solidarity and is grounded in three core theological themes. Each is framed biblically and interpreted ecumenically.

Key Scriptural Inspirations:

• Micah 6:8 – "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
• Luke 24:13–35 – The Emmaus story, exemplifying accompaniment and revelation on the road
• Isaiah 58:6–12 – The fast that God chooses – to loose the bonds of injustice

Justice: God’s justice is the beginning of restored relationships

Core theology: Justice is not merely legal fairness but the divine restoration of right relationships. God sides with the oppressed to reweave the community.

• Biblical foundations:
  
  • Micah 6:8 – “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.”
  • Isaiah 1:17 – “Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed.”

Ecumenical insight: The church’s pilgrimage begins by resisting systemic injustice and embodying God’s justice as global community.

Reconciliation: Justice in memory, healing in truth

Core theology: Reconciliation is not mere forgiveness, but a process of revealing truth and restoring justice that leads to communal healing.

• Biblical foundations:
  
  • 2 Corinthians 5:18 – “God… gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
  • Matthew 5:23-24 – “First be reconciled to your brother or sister.”

Ecumenical insight: Churches must create honest spaces where memory and confession lead to healing and new relationships.

Unity: Theology of one body across difference

Core theology: Unity is rooted in Trinitarian life — embracing diversity while manifesting oneness in Christ. The church is called to live reconciliation.

• Biblical foundations:
  
  • John 17:21 – “That they may all be one… as we are one.”
  • Ephesians 4:3 – “Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit.”

Ecumenical insight: The Pilgrimage expresses WCC’s founding vision: a visible unity that transcends difference through shared journey.

Historical and Ecumenical Roots

The Pilgrimage's primary operational method is See–Reflect–Act, which structures the design and facilitation of pilgrimage encounters. The “three vias” are offered as background lenses that help communities deepen discernment as they move into the See–Reflect–Act cycle.

The Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity is not only a framework for action but also a spiritual journey that reflects the rhythm of Christian discipleship and mission. To help churches and communities engage meaningfully with this journey, the WCC offers a theological model grounded in three interrelated spiritual paths:

Via Positiva – Celebrating the Gifts: The path of gratitude and praise: recognizing signs of God’s grace in the beauty of creation, the resilience of communities, and the gifts of diverse traditions. It helps communities name what sustains life and builds hope.

This is the path of gratitude and praise, recognizing the presence of God’s grace in the beauty of creation, the faithfulness of communities, and the resilience of people. It is the affirmation of life, abundance, and goodness, echoing Jesus’ promise: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Via Negativa – Touching the Wounds(Lament, Truth-telling, and Do No Harm Accompaniment): In this toolkit, “touching the wounds” does not imply access to others’ pain or the extraction of stories. It names a posture of wound-aware accompaniment—shaped by lament, truth-telling, consent, safeguarding, and accountability—where those who carry wounds set the terms of sharing and follow-up.

This path invites repentance and solidarity as we name wounds caused by injustice, violence, exclusion, and ecological destruction, and attend carefully to what must be healed and repaired. Scriptural companions include Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 58:7–12. It calls the church to listen before speaking, to accompany before acting, and to remain present beyond the encounter. This motif must be practiced under the Do No Harm standards in Section 2–6.

Via Transformativa – Embracing Transformation(Repair, Commitment, and Follow-up): The path of conversion and concrete change: discerning what faithful action requires, pursuing structural transformation, and practicing mutual transformation through encounter, accompaniment, and sustained commitments. Thus, pilgrimage discernment leads to conversion expressed in concrete commitments—repair, advocacy, and sustained accompaniment. Transformation is tested by follow-up: what is promised, what is resourced, and how relationships are sustained beyond the encounter.

This is the path of conversion and prophetic action. Here, communities are invited to be both transformed and transforming—engaging in acts of radical hospitality, inclusive justice, and peacebuilding. This echoes the Emmaus story (Luke 24), where the risen Christ transforms despair into mission through encounter, word, and shared table.

Here you can explore the practical and ethical foundations that guide pilgrimage encounters, focusing on the transformative rhythm of See–Reflect–Act. As a spiritual discipline, this approach invites communities to observe reality with honesty, discern its meaning through faith and prayer, and respond through concrete acts of justice, accompaniment, and change. Grounded in a theology of companionship, it calls participants into relationships of mutuality, dignity, and trust, while the commitment to "Do No Harm" ensures that every encounter honours the agency, wellbeing, and sacred dignity of those who share their stories and realities.

See – Reflect – Act 

See–Reflect–Act is an iterative spiritual discipline that guides pilgrimage encounters from attentive observation to theological discernment and justice-oriented response. It helps communities read reality truthfully, interpret it through Scripture and prayer, and take concrete steps of accompaniment and transformation. The cycle repeats over time, strengthening learning, accountability, and sustained action.

Three guiding questions 

• See: What is happening in this context—especially the wounds, the voices most affected, and the power dynamics at play?
• Reflect: What do Scripture, prayer, and theological discernment illuminate about what we have seen? What do we lament, and what gives hope?
• Act: What is one concrete next step we will take—together—through accompaniment, advocacy, repair, or institutional change?

Theology of Companionship

A spirituality of walking together in mutual vulnerability, dignity, and trust. This theology rejects hierarchical or extractive relationships and affirms the sacred presence of God in those we accompany. Pilgrimage as companionship prioritizes listening over speaking, presence over control, and hospitality over domination. It reimagines mission as mutual transformation.

Thus, the Pilgrimage is not a solitary journey, nor a top-down intervention; it is a spiritual practice of walking together—in vulnerability, dignity, and mutual trust. The theology of companionship affirms the sacredness of each person encountered along the way, recognizing Christ in the stranger, the neighbour, and the one who suffers. 

It challenges hierarchical mission models, advocating instead for relationships marked by reciprocity and presence. This theology emphasizes listening more than speaking, being present rather than solving, and practicing hospitality instead of control. Through companionship, pilgrimage becomes a space of shared transformation where both host and guest are blessed, challenged, and renewed in God’s grace.

Do No Harm: Ethical Standards for Pilgrimage Encounters

Pilgrimage encounters are not “learning trips” that extract stories, images, or emotions. They are spiritual and ethical engagements shaped by humility, consent, safeguarding, and accountability. The WCC pilgrimage methodology therefore follows a Do No Harm principle: the encounter must not increase risk, retraumatize communities, instrumentalize suffering, or create unkept expectations.

Through practical guidance, contextual approaches, activities, and case studies, this section offers tools for designing pilgrimage experiences that foster reflection, justice, healing, and collective action.

Webinar series on Theology of Companionship

Join us for this webinar series, starting in September, exploring the Theology of Companionship: a way of walking together with mutuality, shared vulnerability, and accountable relationships—even across unequal power.

The five-part series will show how the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity appears —through a lens of companionship— as a theological orientation and an ecclesial practice.

Participants will be invited to explore companionship as a deep yet understandable journey from theological foundations to practical implementation. The series will move through five themes: foundations, method, ethics, context, and implementation.

Session dates:

9 September 2026, 15:00 (Central European Time): Foundations
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10 November 2026, 15:00 (Central European Time): Method
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13 January 2027, 15:00 (Central European Time): Ethics
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3 March 2027, 15:00 (Central European Time): Context
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12 May 2027, 15:00 (Central European Time): Implementation
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Field Module: Pilgrimage Encounter Model

We define encounter not simply as meeting, but as a transforming relationship: one that involves listening deeply, sharing stories, being vulnerable, and discerning God's presence together. Encounter in this context is not simply interaction—it is communion. It requires prayerful listening, mutual storytelling, and openness to the Spirit moving in the other. It invites us to be changed as we walk with others, particularly those on the margins. When we engage in pilgrimage as encounter, we do not approach others as helpers or observers, but as companions who walk, learn, and grow together.

As disciples on the way, we walk with others not to fix or teach, but to be changed. This spiritual practice of encounter echoes Luke 24, where transformation came not through explanation, but through companionship and shared presence.

Planning the Pilgrimage

• Identify local partners and communities.
• Clarify spiritual, social, and contextual goals.
• Design the journey with stages: preparation, encounter, reflection, and commitment.

Key Practices

• Walking: Embodied solidarity through shared movement
• Listening: Hearing the cries of people and Earth
• Praying: Rooting the journey in spiritual discipline
• Witnessing: Public storytelling and advocacy

After the Journey

• Debrief with participants.
• Gather stories and reflections.
• Formulate collective commitments for continued action.

Contextualization & Adaptability

• Cultural and Regional Flexibility: Adaptable to urban/rural, interfaith, and post-conflict settings
• Adaptation Guidelines: Local injustice mapping, voice prioritization, and cultural inclusion

Activities and Case Studies (Examples)

Contextual Approaches

• Listening Circles
  Small group dialogues where participants share their experiences, pain, and hope. Based on the principle that “listening is the beginning of action.” Can be adapted culturally and linguistically.
• Context Walk
  A guided walk-through local areas to identify signs of suffering and hope. Materials include maps, facilitators, and reflection questions. Can be applied to neighbourhoods, historical sites, or social landmarks.
• Justice Mapping
  Visual mapping of local injustices, social conflict points, and signs of transformation. Conducted collaboratively to deepen understanding. Can be facilitated both online and offline.

Action-Oriented Practices 

• Public Witness
  Includes street processions, declarations, and public prayers. Adaptable to local or global issues. Emphasizes ecumenical solidarity and prophetic presence.
• Healing Liturgies
  Incorporates silence, prayer, anointing, and symbolic acts. Aims to reveal pain and seek communal healing. Can integrate cultural symbols and rituals.
• Peace Tables
  Shared meals as spaces for deep conversation about suffering, hope, and justice. Includes conversation guides and facilitator manuals. Effective in multicultural settings.

Workshops & Capacity Building

• Pilgrimage Facilitator Training
  1-2 day intensive training for regional leaders. Covers theology, praxis, and ecumenical sensitivity. Includes core modules and locally adaptable content.
• Youth Engagement Modules
  Designed for youth with interactive activities, art, and storytelling. Focuses on emotional engagement with justice and peace. Can be linked to digital tools (e.g., short film creation).

Download "Let us Walk Together as Companions on a Pilgrimage Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity" (2026)

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