The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, in a minute on the escalation of the war in Ukraine, called for “an end to the invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory, and the re-establishment of peace in the region.”
The minute reads: “We appeal also to the governments of Russia and Ukraine to respect the fundamental human and moral right of conscientious objection to military service, even in times of war.”
“We are appalled by the terrible toll in lives lost, livelihoods and communities destroyed, environmental harm, and wider conflict risks resulting from this war, and call for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, an end to the invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory, and the re-establishment of peace in the region,” reads the text. “We appeal also to the governments of Russia and Ukraine to respect the fundamental human and moral right of conscientious objection to military service, even in times of war.”
The WCC executive committee commended the WCC general secretary’s efforts to address this crisis through dialogue, and urged the general secretary to redouble his efforts and to take all necessary measures to convene dialogue within the ecumenical fellowship.
The WCC executive committee is meeting in Bogotá, Colombia from 6-11 June, where the governing body is focusing on the business of the WCC and on absorbing the life and witness of churches at the heart of the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.
