On the day marking a full year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator of the central committee Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay released a message that marks the day with deep sadness, denounces the ongoing invasion, and calls for cessation of war.

	Above: Destroyed military equipment at the Mykhailivska Square, Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC

“Indeed, the fundamental basis of international humanitarian and human rights law – and the UN Charter itself – has been challenged and undermined by this illegal armed aggression against the people and sovereign state of Ukraine by a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” reads the message. “The World Council of Churches denounces the ongoing invasion and all of its tragic and unconscionable consequences.” 

“Our God is a God of peace, not of war; of love, not of hate; of reconciliation and unity, not of confrontation and division.”

Read the full statement:  

WCC Statement on Ukraine | World Council of Churches | 24 February 2023 

Read WCC news item: 

WCC denounces ongoing invasion of Ukraine, prays for peace, and calls for accountability | World Council of Churches | 24 February 2023