RELEASED 22 May 2024
The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) looks forward to welcoming Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay to Australia
Rev. Pillay is the 9th General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and is an Eminent Ecumenical guest at the NCCA Forum in June 2024. He is a Reformed pastor, member of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa and former Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria.
The NCCA looks forward to welcoming Rev. Pillay to Australia and hopes that his visit will deepen relationships, foster collaboration, and inspire collective action by churches together in our Australian communities for the common good.
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MEDIA RELEASE 23 May 2024
Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, a leading theologian from South Africa, will be a guest
Rev. Pillay began serving as general secretary on 1 January 2023, as the 9th
It is his first visit to Australia and his visit promises to enrich discussions on church unity and provide fresh insights on ecumenism amid societal fragmentation. “We are increasingly disturbed by the poly crisis pervading the world such as poverty, hunger, humanitarian needs, wars, conflicts, violence, climate catastrophe and the list goes on. The WCC is keen to engage with our member churches, ecumenical partners and governments as to how we may contribute to making the world a safer, peaceful and sustainable place for both people and planet. I look forward to having conversations with our colleagues, leaders, members and partners in Australia on these important global issues. Together we can make a difference as we obey God’s call to us all.” - Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay As an eminent guest of the NCCA, Rev. Pillay will participate in the national forum and participate in various ecumenical gatherings in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The NCCA’s forthcoming forum marks 30 years of the Council that succeeded the Australian Council of Churches founded in 1948. Christian leaders are eager to seize this opportunity for cross-cultural learning and dialogue with Rev. Pillay.
On Saturday 22nd June at 4pm, Rev. Pillay will be at Adelaide West Uniting Church, in conversation with Rev. Dr Lynn Arnold AM, former SA Premier, Anglican priest and Life FM radio presenter. Following Adelaide, he will be in Melbourne on June 24th and 25th, and in Sydney on June 25th and 26th, 2024.
These public engagements will provide unique opportunities for dialogue, exchange, and mutual learning for the wider community from across Australia’s diverse Christian traditions.
Rev. Pillay’s visit holds particular significance as he shares his reflections on his role as General Secretary of the World Council of Churches. In his short time in the role he has been instrumental in advancing the WCC's mission of promoting Christian unity, interfaith dialogue, and social justice at global, regional, national and local levels.
The NCCA looks forward to welcoming Rev. Pillay to Australia and hopes that his visit will deepen relationships, foster collaboration, and inspire collective action by churches together in our Australian communities for the common good. Contact Ms. Elizabeth Stone, About the National Council of Churches in Australia: The National Council of Churches in Australia has 18 national church members. The NCCA brings together a diverse range of Christian denominations to promote unity, dialogue, and cooperation among churches in Australia. With a commitment to social justice, peace, and reconciliation, the Council seeks to embody the love and compassion of Christ in contemporary society. For more information, visit our website. |
Download: pdf Media Release FINAL NCCA Jerry Pillay 23 May 2024 (357 KB)
