May 25, 2006 WCC central committee falls short on youth

The World Council of Churches (WCC) assembly on Feb. 22 elected its 150-member central committee, its governing body, after three days of contentiousness over the lack of youth delegates (aged 18 to 30) on the nominations slate.

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April 1, 2006 Church efforts key to migration

As issues around migration, both voluntary and forced, become more complex, the efforts of churches are becoming increasingly critical to the survival of refugees worldwide, participants at a global church gathering have heard.

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April 1, 2006 'One voice' needed on climate change

The top official of the World Council of Churches says climate change represents one of humanity’s most dire threats and he has appealed to denominations around the world to speak with one voice to alert political leaders to tackle the issue.

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April 1, 2006 Churches agree to joint assemblies

Leaders of two world Christian groupings have reacted positively to a proposal by Rev. Samuel Kobia, World Council of Churches general secretary, that the three worldwide bodies jointly hold the next meetings of their highest governing bodies.

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April 1, 2006 Sexuality disputes hinder unity

Disputes in churches about homosexuality are hampering the search for Christian unity, Vatican officials said during the global meeting of the World Council of Churches.

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April 1, 2006 U.S. church leaders slam Iraq war

A group of religious leaders from the United States has issued a public letter criticizing the war in Iraq and acknowledging their churches’ inability to stop it.

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April 1, 2006 WCC deplores Muhammad cartoons

The World Council of Churches has deplored the publication of cartoons caricaturing the Prophet Muhammad, and urged its members to join in non-violent protests with those experiencing attacks on their religion.

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April 1, 2006 Assembly debates divestment

The victory by Hamas in recent Palestinian legislature elections makes the churches’ engagement in the Holy Land even more crucial, a Palestinian Christian leader said recently.

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April 1, 2006 Banner of hope

Youth delegates to the Ninth Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Porto Alegre, Brazil, print messages on a banner expressing their hopes during a pre-assembly gathering. The gathering included several participants from Canada, including three WCC delegates plus three young people who were part of a group from the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.

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April 1, 2006 Religious leaders shed colonial legacy

From Asia and Africa to the United States and Latin America, church leaders are doing away with what has been called the “colonial legacy” to convert other people to Christianity. Instead they are evolving new forms of inter-faith dialogue they hope will help promote world peace and harmony.

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