Call for end of War

The ecumenical World Council of Churches (WCC) reaffirms “war is incompatible with God’s very nature”

On the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev Professor Dr Jerry Pillay lamented the destruction of so many lives and called for an immediate end to the conflict.   He said:
 
“The Christian commitment to the sanctity and preservation of lives is fundamental. 
 
“Accordingly, we reaffirm our position that war is incompatible with God’s very nature and will for humanity and against our core Christian and ecumenical principles.
 
“We demand respect for human rights and international humanitarian law – especially regarding the protection of civilians – and for all the laws and institutions created in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War to protect the people of the world from the horrors of war. We demand full accountability for all the crimes committed against these principles. We pray for the restoration of our humanity and morality.” 
 
Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer of NWCT says: “Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney is fully behind the call of WCC for Putin to bring an immediate end to the unjustified hostilities against the Ukrainian people.  In the ecumenical movement, we pray for peace and the abundant life that God wants for all people.”
 
You can read the full WCC statement here

Photo: Volnovakha in Ukraine courtesy of Reuters