WCC and CCA General Secretaries visit Myanmar as part of pastoral solidarity and accompaniment with member churches and ecumenical fraternity

Yangon, Myanmar: The World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, and the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) General Secretary, Dr Mathews George Chunakara, arrived in Myanmar for pastoral and solidarity visits to member churches, the member council, and ecumenical organisations and institutions in the country.

During the first two days of their stay in Yangon, the WCC and CCA General Secretaries were welcomed by the churches and the ecumenical fraternity. They attended meetings at the headquarters of various churches and institutions, including the Church of the Province of Myanmar (Anglican), the Methodist Church of the Union of Myanmar (Lower Myanmar), the Myanmar Baptist Convention, the Myanmar Council of Churches, the Myanmar Institute of Theology, and the Mary Chapman School for the Deaf.

Information on the manifold ministries of churches and institutions was shared during the meetings by church and ecumenical leaders, as well as heads of institutions. While highlighting key historical milestones in mission and witness, including their deep engagement in social development, pioneering ministries in diakonia, and humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas, they also described the life-threatening situations faced daily by those serving in rural regions, particularly in communities living amidst ongoing conflicts and violence.

Addressing church leaders gathered at the headquarters of the Myanmar Baptist Convention, the largest member church of WCC and CCA in Myanmar with more than two million members across the country, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay affirmed the solidarity and accompaniment of the global church and the ecumenical movement with the churches and people of Myanmar.

Dr Pillay added that, as followers of Christ, “we need to live with faith and hope amidst despair as hope brings resilience.”

During a meeting held at the Myanmar Ecumenical Centre, with the participation of church and ecumenical leaders representing 13 member churches and 18 ecumenical organisations and institutions of the Myanmar Council of Churches, the WCC General Secretary engaged in dialogue on issues related to peace, reconciliation, visible unity, climate justice, and ecumenical leadership development.

Dr Pillay affirmed during the discussions with the church leaders that “unity and justice will have to go side by side; justice of the people who are deprived of their sanctity of life and denied of opportunities in life will not be denied forever by God.”

Recollecting the WCC’s work for peace with justice in many troubled regions across the world, the global ecumenical leader from South Africa reiterated the WCC’s continued commitment to accompany the people and communities of Myanmar in this critical time.

He further noted that when the church in Myanmar exists as a minority, and Christians in various parts of the country are enduring traumatic experiences, it becomes difficult to speak or engage in prophetic witness without facing victimisation and fear. Nevertheless, the church remains a place for sharing hope and serving as an agent of hope.

One of the first meetings of the WCC and CCA General Secretaries on their first day in Yangon was with Cardinal Charles Bo, Archbishop of the Yangon Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Myanmar.

In response to the common concerns of Christians in Myanmar for peace and stability in the country, as expressed by Cardinal Bo, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay emphasised the growing need for joint engagement among churches in promoting peace and unity amidst conflict situations. He noted that this is an integral part of proclaiming the Good News, and that such engagement must extend beyond social action, theological dialogue, and shared prayer initiatives.

While recollecting his long association and collaboration with CCA, WCC member churches in Myanmar, and other members of the Myanmar Council of Churches for more than thirty years in the areas of peace and reconciliation, ecumenical diakonia, and leadership development,  Dr Mathews George Chunakara expressed deep appreciation for the churches and their diverse ministries, which continue despite dangers, fear, anxiety, and countless difficulties, including the lack of even basic necessities, as they endure prolonged civil conflict and hostilities that have caused deep divisions.

The CCA General Secretary also reaffirmed CCA’s commitment to continue its solidarity and accompaniment, particularly through the newly launched Myanmar Ecumenical Solidarity Accompaniment Programme (MESAP), aimed at promoting peace with justice and supporting conflict resolution.

Dr Jerry Pillay’s visit to Myanmar marks the first time a WCC General Secretary has visited the country’s member churches since 2003 as part of a pastoral and ecumenical solidarity accompaniment mission. In 2003, the then WCC General Secretary, Dr Konrad Raiser, visited WCC member churches in Myanmar. In 2017, Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, then General Secretary of WCC, visited Myanmar; however, his participation was limited to attending CCA’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations as the chief guest.

Photos from the visit of the WCC and CCA General Secretaries to Myanmar can be found here: