A Message for the Churches
at Pentecost
from the WCC Presidents

Photo: Albin Hillert

~ a statement published on May 13, 2024 on the World Council of Churches website

We, the presidents of the World Council of Churches, greet you in the spirit of Christian love and fellowship on the occasion of the feast of Pentecost. 

The Pentecost is the descent of the Holy Spirit on the church and the empowerment of its missionary outreach. The church is the Koinonia of people held together by Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Our ecumenical journey at the 7th Assembly of WCC (Canberra, 1991), with its theme “Come, Holy Spirit, Renew the Whole Creation” was an appeal to the member churches to reaffirm the renewing power and transforming action of the Holy Spirit in the church, and in the whole creation. It was also a reminder of the vital importance of the church’s Missio Dei sustained by the Holy Spirit. 

In a world in which life in its human and ecological dimensions is threatened, we need the Spirit of life to protect the sacredness, wholeness, and integrity of the God-given life. 

In a world torn apart by intolerance and polarization, we need the intervention of the Holy Spirit to tear down the “dividing walls” (Eph. 2:14), and help establish coherence and harmony, among diversities of race religion, and culture. 

In a world dominated by corruption, injustice, and the decay of moral and spiritual values, we need the renewing presence of the Holy Spirit to transform our societies through the Gospel values. 

As a global fellowship of churches, let us pray, as we did at Canberra Assembly, come Holy Spirit and help us grow in unity, which is a gift of God, and move forward with renewed vision in our spiritual journey. Empower us to articulate more concretely our missionary engagement in all parts of the world, and particularly at these critical moments in the Middle East. Help us to replace hatred by love, violence by dialogue, and self-centeredness by mutual acceptance. Make us instruments of justice, apostles of peace, and messengers of life.

Presidents of the World Council of Churches

H.H. Catholicos ARAM I, Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia)

Rev. Dr Susan DURBER, United Reformed Church 

Rev. Dr Henriette HUTABARAT-LEBANG, Gereja Toraja                           

Most Rev. Dr Rufus Okikiola OSITELU, Church of the Lord (Prayer Fellowship) Worldwide

Rev. François PIHAATAE, Église protestante Maohi

Rev. Dr Angélique WALKER-SMITH, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.

Rt Rev. Philip WRIGHT, Church in the Province of the West Indies 

H.E. Metropolitan Dr VASILIOS OF CONSTANTIA AND AMMOCHOSTOS, Church of Cyprus