WCC NEWS: WCC message: As we confront uncertainty, may Easter infuse us with power and courage

In an Easter message, World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca conveyed the traditional greeting: “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” Myrrhbearing women Empty tomb Photo: Ted/Flickr, under Creative Commons license 31 March 2021 Sauca acknowledged he was sharing this message at a difficult time in the lives of many peoples, churches and nations. “This year, we observe Easter for the second time in a challenging context amid painful situations,” he writes. “Many of our people are experiencing fear and uncertainty, as well as trauma, separation, isolation, loss of hope, or sickness and death in their families or in their church communities.” The COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the whole world, is also affecting the way Easter will be celebrated, Sauca notes. “Yet, despite these traumatic and painful situations, the message of Easter shines,” he writes. “Easter is a reminder and encouragement that God in Christ continues to love and care for the whole world, overcoming death with life, conquering fear and uncertainty with hope.” Throughout the centuries, the Easter greeting ”Christ is risen!” has always infused Christians with power and courage, Sauca writes. "As we are confronted today with the challenges of COVID-19, we assure you that we are united with you in prayers and in affirming together our common faith and hope in the Risen Lord.” Link to the Easter message See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland