World Council of Churches General Assembly speaks to issues in the Middle East and Europe

World Council of Churches General Assembly speaks to issues in the Middle East and Europe

At its 11th General Assembly, meeting in Karlsruhe, Germany, the World Council of Churches has adopted statements and sent messages regarding a variety of issues pertaining to the Middle East and Europe regions. The Disciples and UCC both have delegations participating in the General Assembly.

  • WCC statement urges active engagement in dialogue to bring lasting peace and security for all in the Middle EastThe World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly says it is hearing the pleas of the heads of churches in the Holy Land more than ever before in relation to mounting intimidation, violations, limiting access to places of worship, and attacks by radicals. “Seeking Justice and Peace for All in the Middle East”
  • WCC statement on war in Ukraine deplores “illegal and unjustifiable” invasion, renews calls for ceasefireA statement from the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly, “War in Ukraine, Peace and Justice in the European Region,” denounces “the illegal and unjustifiable” Russian invasion of Ukraine and renews the call for a ceasefire as well as the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops.
  • WCC releases minute on consequences of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh warThe World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly released a minute entitled “Consequences of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war,” in which it reiterated its condemnation of the use of chemical weapons and cluster munitions, the targeting of civilians, hospitals and public infrastructure, and all other war crimes, beheadings, torture and other atrocities witnessed during the conflict.
  • WCC minute urges acknowledgement of Syriac-Aramaic genocide, which “must be named by the right name”The Syriac-Aramaic genocide, or “SAYFO,” must be named as an historical reality, and the “persistent and present threat of genocide for some peoples” must be acknowledged, urged a minute released at the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly.Minute on Syriac-Aramaic Genocide