WCC news: Pacific churches invite prayers on Kanaky and Ma’ohi Nui Freedom Sunday

The Pacific Conference of Churches is inviting all people of good will to share prayers and support on 14 July for a Kanaky and Ma’ohi Nui Freedom Sunday.  The 12th General Assembly of the Pacific Conference of Churches took place in Kanaky (New Caledonia), 20-23 November 2023. Photo: PCC - Pacific Conference of Churches 9 July 2024 Pacific churches are sharing common lectionary texts developed to reflect on the struggle for truth, justice, and freedom and a God who loves and liberates. Communities in Kanaky and Ma’ohi Nui will also share messages in the days leading up to 14 July. The Pacific Conference of Churches has continued to express solidarity with sisters and brothers of Kanaky in a time of political crisis that has led to the eruptions of violence that endangers the dignity of the life of every human being in the territory. “The situation in which Kanaky New Caledonia finds itself is an expression of the political failure to take responsibility for the emancipation of the Kanak people and the communities present in the territory and for its common destiny,” notes a previous statement from the Pacific Conference of Churches, and Pacific groups, and solidarity partners. “After 20 years of consensual management, the breakdown in dialogue between the French government and the independence fighters and the Kanak people is now a reality.” The Pacific Conference of Churches also continues to extend prayers to the families and communities who are mourning the loss of loved ones. Pacific Conference of Churches Call for Sunday 14 July to be observed as free as freedom for Kanaky and Ma'ohi Nui 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 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. 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