World Council of Churches

“The love of Christ moves the world toward reconciliation and unity.”
31 Aug – 8 Sept 2022

We were represented at the WCC assembly by several members of our team of the Amsterdam Center for Religion and Peace & Justice Studies. Fernando Enns was a delegate of the Mennonite Church in Germany, Andrés Pacheco Lozano co-opted staff of the WCC. In recent years both have been involved primarily in the “Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace”, F. Enns as co-moderator of the international and interfaith steering group. Some of the results of this commitment have now also been reflected in publications (see under “new publications”). Especially the many “Pilgrim Team Visits” to the different contexts have been convincing. Therefore, the Assembly decided that the pilgrimage should be continued, now as “Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation and Unity” – taking up the motto of the Assembly.

Probably the most moving interpretation of this motto was given by Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General of “Religions for Peace”, a colleague at the Vrije Universiteit – Faculty of Religion and Theology. She asked the assembly, “Do you believe that the love of Christ is also for me – a Muslim believer?” And she went on to remind the assembled “religious leaders” of their responsibility: “War is not an option!” Fernando Enns was again elected to the central committee and to the executive committee of the WCC.