World Council of Churches
United Nations declares International Day of Human Fraternity
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly decided unanimously on 21 December that the International Day of Human Fraternity is to be observed on 4 February each year, starting in 2021.
The initiative was led by the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity, which includes WCC interim general secretary, Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, five Muslims, two Catholics, a Jewish rabbi and a former secretary general of UNESCO.
Read more: https://www.oikoumene.org/news/united-nations-declares-international-day-of-human-fraternity
A Prayer to the Creator
Lord, Father of our human family,
you created all human beings equal in dignity:
pour forth into our hearts a fraternal spirit
and inspire in us a dream of renewed encounter,
dialogue, justice and peace.
Move us to create healthier societies
and a more dignified world,
a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war.
May our hearts be open
to all the peoples and nations of the earth.
May we recognize the goodness and beauty
that you have sown in each of us,
and thus forge bonds of unity, common projects,
and shared dreams. Amen.
From the Encyclical Letter FRATELLI TUTTI of the Holy Father Francis on Fraternity and Social Friendship.
Christians worldwide gather in prayer for unity— even if distanced
Even as nations continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, final preparations are under way for one of the world’s largest annual prayer observances, traditionally celebrated 18-25 January. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity involves Christian communities from many traditions and all parts of the globe. At a time when public health concerns put a limit on physical gatherings, it provides an opportunity for churches to come together by means of a typically Christian practice that long predates modern transport: prayer.
WCC Eco-School 2020 for Pacific region is further postponed
The fourth edition of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Eco-School on Water, Food and Climate Justice is postponed to 22-28 February 2021. The Eco School will be held in the Pacific region in five countries (Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Tuvalu & Solomon Islands), hosted by the Pacific Conference of Churches.
The WCC Eco School was to have been originally held in November 2020 in the Pacific region. This is the second time it has been postponed. Due to the COVID-19 related challenges, the Christmas and New Year season and a possible fatigue for online events, there was a lower response than expected.
