Category: News

Bishop Ivan Abrahams, general secretary of the World Methodist Council and co-chair of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, issues the following statement on the conflict in Ukraine:

Seven days after Russian troops crossed into Ukraine, we gather with ecumenical partners and all people of goodwill to remember political leaders, soldiers, and civilians caught up in the current conflict. We pray that God may “guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79)

The World Methodist Council supports Pope Francis’s peace initiative to mediate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine after recent talks failed to lead to a ceasefire. We note that the Pontiff called on leaders of both countries “to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war.” 

Methodists are committed to peacebuilding and have a long tradition of solidarity with all who challenge violence and injustice.

May we read the signs of the times and interpret them in the light of the gospel.

The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, was an ecumenical guest at Solemn Vespers on Saturday, 26 February 2022 at the Orthodox Church of St. Theodore on Palatine Hill on the occasion of the feast of St. Theodore. H.Em. Metropolitan Polykarpos, Archbishop of Italy, presided.

Four Christian World Communions are strongly condemning the advance of the Russian military into Ukraine and the assault that began on the night of 24 February 2022. They call for Russian troops to be brought back to Russia and an immediate end to the conflict. “Peace must prevail,” they insist. 

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), the Conference of European Churches (CEC), and the World Methodist Council (WMC) are calling for prayers of peace for the people of Ukraine and the region.  

They have issued an invitation to an online prayer service on Ash Wednesday, 2 March at 17.00 CET. The service will bring together Christians from Ukraine and other parts of the world, seeking peace and an end to the ongoing conflict.  

“Jesus calls us to be messengers of hope who work for peace. As Christian churches we therefore call for an immediate de-escalation of this conflict, so that the lives, human rights, and dignity of people in Ukraine are protected,” said LWF General Secretary Rev. Anne Burghardt. 

“This is a time for churches in Europe and globally to form a strong alliance of solidarity with people who fear the impact of war in Ukraine. This is a time to gather in prayer for people who possess the power to make decisions that will save lives and make peace possible,” said CEC General Secretary Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen. 

“As the Scriptures encourage us to turn away from evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11), we consider such an unprovoked attack as evil, and strive to do all we can to stand against it—while also preparing to assist those impacted by it,” said the WCRC Collegial General Secretariat (composed of Hanns Lessing, Philip Peacock, and Phil Tanis). 

“Despite what is happening in Ukraine I still believe that the international community can make a difference as we collectively work for peace in the region,” said WMC General Secretary Bishop Ivan Abrahams. 

In the call to prayer for the people of Ukraine and the region, the four Christian communions note the military assault threatens the lives of Ukrainians, as well as peace throughout Europe and beyond. “The crisis is urgent and requires the attention and solidarity of the global Christian community.” 

The LWF brings together 148 Lutheran churches representing over 77 million Christians across the globe. The WCRC is comprised of more than 230 Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed, United, Uniting, and Waldensian member churches representing 100 million Christians. The Conference of European Churches is a fellowship of 114 churches from Orthodox, Protestant and Anglican traditions from across Europe. The World Methodist Council encompasses 80 member churches with 80 million members on six continents.

The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, hosted several Methodist leaders for an evening of fellowship on 8 February 2022. The Methodist leaders were visiting Rome for the Global Christian Forum expanded leadership meeting.

Pictured left to right: the Gobal Christian Forum secretary Rev. Casely B. Essamuah (Methodist Church Ghana), Dr. Angela Wakhweya Essamuah, World Methodist Council Geneva Secretary Bishop Rosemarie Wenner (The United Methodist Church in Germany), Rev. Laferty, Rev. Mirella Mannochio (Methodist Churches in Italy), Roman Catholic theologian Prof. Dr. Myriam Wiljens, Vatican offical for Methodist relations Fr. Anthony Currer, and World Methodist Council youth and young adult president Rev. Samuel Murillo (Methodist Church in Mexico).

The World Methodist Council (WMC) views with deep concern reports of mounting tension on the borders of Ukraine and Russia, including a threatened build-up of armed forces from the United States of America to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as an offensive to Russia. Many political commentators consider the recent events “a new Cold War” and “a threat to global peace.“.

The Council calls on ‘the people called Methodist,’ and those of faith who respect human life, rights, and dignity to pursue a “just peace” for all in the war threatened region.

We recognize the region’s long and complex history but are concerned only suffering and destruction would result from armed conflict.

The Council is committed to promoting peace, reconciliation, and justice. We believe that intentional diplomacy, dialogue, and negotiations are the only paths to peace. We encourage all parties to de-escalate this dangerous situation.

The Council asks for prayer for the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. We especially remember Bishop Eduard Khegay of the Eurasia Central Conference of The United Methodist Church and all local and regional church leaders as they minister against a backdrop of an armed standoff.

The Council recognizes that Methodists and other Christians are on each side in this potential conflict and prays that they may be blessed as peace-makers.