WCC calls on President Trump to follow international law for a just peace in Gaza

 — Feb. 5, 20255 févr. 2025

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay has described the proposal of US President Trump as “tantamount to proposing full-scale ethnic cleansing and neo-colonization of the homeland of the 2 million Palestinians of Gaza.”

Pillay noted that the proposal violates every applicable principle of international humanitarian and human rights law, flouts decades of efforts by the international community – including by the USA – for a just and sustainable peace for the peoples of the region, and would if implemented constitute multiple international crimes of the most serious kind. “The standing of the United States of America as a responsible member of the international community has been gravely diminished by the proposal itself, not to speak of any actual implementation thereof,” Pillay said.

In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 4 February, President Trump said the United States “will take over” the Gaza Strip — possibly with the help of American troops — while the Palestinians who live there should leave. “The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too,” said President Trump. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings,” he said, describing his vision for the area as a new “Riviera.”

“Coming after so many months of unrestrained violence, death, destruction, and displacement inflicted on the population of Gaza by Israeli armed forces, supported by the USA, this proposal for the ethnic cleansing of the territory unveils the unconscionable end goal of this conflict, long sought by extremist elements in Israeli politics and society,” said Pillay. “President Trump’s proposal is in blatant disregard of the fundamental rights of the people of Gaza who have struggled and suffered for so many decades.”

Pillay urged that the proposal be unequivocally rejected by all responsible members of the international community, and by all people of good will.

“The World Council of Churches calls on President Trump to reconsider this disgraceful proposal, and to respect international law and equal human dignity and rights of the people of Gaza,” Pillay said. “Further, the WCC calls on all people of faith and good will to stand against this egregious violation of human dignity and international law.”

Pillay further urged churches and Christian communities worldwide to raise their voices in defence of justice, to advocate for the protection of Palestinian lives and rights, and to press their governments to reject any proposal that facilitates ethnic cleansing and permanent occupation.

“We affirm that peace cannot be built on the dispossession and suffering of an entire people but must be rooted in justice, dignity, and the fundamental rights of all,” said Pillay. “May the churches be steadfast in their witness, as Christ calls us to stand with the oppressed, and seek peace that is founded on justice. We pray for peace, justice and respect for all people who suffer under the tyranny of the powerful in this world.”

Read the full statement

Posted: Feb. 5, 2025 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=14511
Categories: WCC NewsIn this article: Donald Trump, Gaza, Israel, Middle East, Palestine, peace, USA
Transmis : 5 févr. 2025 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=14511
Catégorie : WCC NewsDans cet article : Donald Trump, Gaza, Israel, Middle East, Palestine, peace, USA


At the Canada-US border in New York

Canada must withdraw from Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States

 — Feb. 4, 20254 févr. 2025

Canada must urgently withdraw from the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) given the dire situation facing refugees in the United States, the Canadian Council for Refugees and Amnesty International Canada said today.

The Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States bars most people crossing into Canada via the United States from seeking refugee protection in Canada. Under the agreement – which is premised on the notion that both countries reliably respect people’s right to seek asylum – people entering Canada via the U.S. to make a refugee claim here are usually turned back at the border.

“President Trump’s extreme anti-immigrant and anti-asylum orders are designed to instill fear and make the U.S dangerously more unsafe for those seeking protection,” said Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada’s English-speaking section. “Canada’s assertion that the United States remains a safe country for refugees under the Trump administration is a cruel irony to those fleeing persecution today. It must be urgently rescinded, and tariffs threats must not blur the plight of those at immediate risk.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Church leaders call for permanent ceasefire

 — Feb. 4, 20254 févr. 2025

“A permanent ceasefire would cease hostilities, release all remaining hostages, liberate thousands of Palestinian prisoners detained without cause or charge, ensure continuing and increasing humanitarian aid in all forms — medical, food and psychological — and result in the withdrawal of occupying forces,” write Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Church leaders.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Rev. Dr. Sandra Beardsall was the speaker for the 2025 De Margerie Series for Christian Reconciliation and Unity, with events held in both Saskatoon and Regina. Her lectures were also live-streamed online

De Margerie Series for Christian Reconciliation and Unity continues

 — Jan. 24, 202524 janv. 2025

The late Fr. Bernard de Margerie was remembered during the 2025 De Margerie Series for Christian Reconciliation and Unity — the 12th year of the series and the first to be held since his death in March 2024.

“We continue this series in his memory, and, with his encouragement, to continue to be agents of Christian reconciliation and unity,” said Nicholas Jesson, who helped establish the series in 2012 while serving as ecumenical officer for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, and who now serves in Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations for the Archdiocese of Regina.

“No doubt Fr. Bernard is listening tonight, and joining us in prayer that all may be one in Christ so that the world may believe (John 17:21),” said Jesson in a poignant introduction at the start of the 2025 series Jan. 22 in Saskatoon.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

The offices of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue on the Via de la Conciliazone in Rome, just steps from St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis names new Indian cardinal to lead Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue

 — Jan. 24, 202524 janv. 2025

Pope Francis has named Indian Cardinal George J. Koovakad to be the new prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.

The 51-year-old, who received his red hat from the pope in December, also will continue to be responsible for organizing papal trips abroad, Vatican News reported Jan. 24, the day his appointment was announced.

The dicastery is responsible for dialogue with Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and members of other world religions.

“The Dicastery works to ensure that dialogue with the followers of other religions takes place in an appropriate way, with an attitude of listening, esteem and respect,” according to the apostolic constitution governing the Roman Curia.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Friends and supporters of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism, which started in Saskatoon in 1984, gathered for a 40th anniversary celebration held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Prairie Centre for Ecumenism’s 40th anniversary

 — Jan. 21, 202521 janv. 2025

Fond memories of early-morning worship services at different Saskatoon churches during the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity were shared at a recent 40th anniversary celebration for the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism, founded in Saskatoon in 1984.

At the 40th anniversary celebration Nov. 22, 2024, Prairie Centre for Ecumenism Board Chair Mary Nordick pointed to the early-morning gatherings on cold and dark prairie mornings in January as times filled with the warmth of fellowship and the joy of re-connecting with friends from other Christian traditions.

Rev. Dr. Sandra Beardsall – a United Church minister and professor emeritus of Church History and Ecumenics who has been involved in the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism (PCE) in various ways over the past 25 years — also shared memories of those early morning gatherings.

“I think those will stay with me all my life,” she said. “I would get up and say ‘what am I doing? It is minus 30!’ And then there would be this beautiful prayer service, and breakfast, and friends … there is something so precious about that praying together early, early in the morning.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

IARCCUM bishops from Ireland, Rt Rev Adrian Wilkinson, bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory, and Most Rev Niall Coll, bishop of Ossory. Bishop pairs from 27 countries were commissioned by Pope Francis and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls

Bishop voices ‘sadness’ at continuing eucharistic separation

 — Jan. 21, 202521 janv. 2025

The fact that Anglicans and Catholics are not able to receive the Eucharist together yet is a matter of sadness,” the Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll said at the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

In his homily at an Anglican Eucharist in St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny last weekend, Bishop Coll said the Church of Ireland liturgy, as well as his attendance at a meeting of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission last year, were the “most moving experiences” of spiritual communion for him.

He told the congregation he hoped they would be “a further impetus to continue our ecumenical journey together so that we might one day break bread together around the same altar”.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Dr. Paul D. Murray, Professor of Systematic Theology at Durham University. Murray conceived of 'receptive ecumenism' more than 20 years ago as a new approach to ecumenical relationships

Ecumenism’s new horizon

 — Jan. 17, 202517 janv. 2025

While a new perspective in the goal of Christian unity that embraces diversity has emerged in recent years, more work is needed to include the burgeoning non-denominational Churches.

Sceptics often ask whether a century of ecumenical activity has brought Christians any closer to the goal of full visible unity. But in recent years the traditional goal of ecumenism has been reframed. What is now hoped for might be better described as “full communion in continuing real diversity”.

This new horizon has come about through multiple experiences of what the theologians involved in ecumenical work call “transformative ecclesial learning”. This is the modus operandi of “receptive ecumenism” – another technical term for an initiative conceived more than 20 years ago by Paul D. Murray of the University of Durham and developed with colleagues around the world. Its starting point for each tradition, institution and person is to ask, “What can we learn, or receive, with integrity from our various others in order to facilitate our own growth together into deepened communion?” Focused initially on establishing a new approach for the Roman Catholic Church in its ecumenical relationships, receptive ecumenism has evolved in a host of Christian denominations as well as in various countries and cultures around the world.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

The Parliament of Canada. Photo taken from the north facing south towards the Parliamentary Library in the centre with the Peace Tower in the background

Charitable status risks even with prorogation

 — Jan. 17, 202517 janv. 2025

The resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Liberal Party leader and the prorogation of Parliament may have postponed a non-confidence vote and an immediate election, but has not averted the risk of certain organizations losing their charitable status on the basis of religious belief or disagreement with government policy, say experts speaking on behalf of stakeholders.

The finance committee of the House of Commons has tabled a report which, if enshrined in law, could destabilize the entire charitable sector, according to legal experts of two major organizations.

The controversial recommendations from the committee are:

  • Anti-abortion organizations should no longer be accorded charitable status;
  • The Income Tax Act should be amended to provide a definition of a charity which would remove the privileged status of “advancement of religion” as a charitable purpose.

“The issue is an important one,” Deina Warren, director of legal affairs with the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities (CCCC), told The Catholic Register. “The recommendation has been formally made by a House Committee and ought to be officially retracted, and advancing of religion as a charitable purpose should be positively affirmed by the government.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Icon of the Council of Nicaea. The text in the large scroll is the beginning of the Nicene Creed in Greek

Do You Believe This? | One Body

 — Jan. 17, 202517 janv. 2025

When Jesus comes to Mary and Martha in Bethany after the death of Lazarus, he says to Martha “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” And then he asks her, “Do you believe this?” Martha responds, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world” (John 11:25-27). This exchange prepares us for the miracle of the raising of Lazarus: one who believed, yet even though he died, he lived. Like Lazarus, we who believe, even though we will die, will be raised by Jesus into eternal life.

“Do you believe this?” Jesus’ question puts us on the spot. Our belief, or profession of faith, determines whether we will inherit eternal life. At the same time, in other passages in the Gospels, Jesus reminds us that love of God is the greatest commandment, “and the second is like it,” to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31). “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to the least of these [the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, or imprisoned], you did not do it to me” (Matthew 25:45).

In every time, every place, and every way, Christians are called to profess their faith in Christ. Faith in God cannot be limited to simple dogmatic formulas but must embrace our whole heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:36; Mark 12:30). Faith compels us to order our lives in conformity with Christ’s command to care for the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, and imprisoned. What we have done or left undone exposes the imperfections of our profession of faith. So, Jesus’ question “Do you believe this?” is weighted with enormous significance for our lives in this world and the next.
… Read more » … lire la suite »