News and stories

The plight of people displaced by war will be the main topic of a "Living Letters" visit to Uganda, 27 October to 2 November. An international ecumenical delegation sent by the World Council of Churches (WCC) will discuss with representatives of churches, state and civil society about the protection of refugees, with a specific focus on sexual violence and the vulnerability of children.

Trauma and bitterness are among the challenges Sri Lankan churches must face in promoting peace and reconciliation as the island nation is in the middle of an intense war, a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation has learnt during a 19-23 October visit to the country.

The Church of North India (CNI), which is currently going through the hardest times in its history, with many church members suffering persecution, has demonstrated its unity at its 17-21 October synod meeting in Pathankot, Punjab state.

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh observed that "Christianity is part of our national heritage" when Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), called on him on 18 October at his residence in New Delhi.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has said that "one of the greatest problems facing the world today is religious extremism."

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has called on the UN and the Iraqi government "to quell the violence" targeted to Christians in Iraq and has urged its member churches and partners worldwide to "pray for peace and reconciliation" in the country.

India and Sri Lanka, two South Asian countries that have seen alarming levels of violence in recent months and years, will receive a 16-23 October the visit of a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation headed by general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia.

Despite having a constitution which does not allow discrimination and a proactive government working for the integration of the marginalized parts of society, violence and discrimination persist in some parts of India.

Members of ECHOS, the World Council of Churches (WCC) commission on Youth, were exposed to the many facets of violence in India during community visits in advance of their recent meetings held in Bangalore 1-10 October 2008.

The United Nations Liaison Office of the World Council of Churches (WCC) co-sponsored an international dialogue on September 25 between some 300 religious leaders and political figures - including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - aimed at exploring faith perspectives and the role of religion regarding global issues such as poverty, war and prejudice while deepening mutual understanding.

Patriarchy has been the dominant influence in shaping men and oppressing women, a workshop sponsored by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) has concluded.