WCC Easter Message 2026: “one big source of hope in these troubled times”

The World Council of Churches Easter message reflects on how we can celebrate Easter in a time in which shouts of joy are so often drowned out by cries of despair.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC   26 March 2026 “So many victims of war, economic injustice, sexual violence, political oppression, climate disasters, and religious persecution are to be mourned,” the message notes. “Can we authentically celebrate Easter without addressing these sufferings?” The text reflects that Easter is the cornerstone of our faith as Christians. “It is the one big source of hope in these troubled times,” the message reads. “Jesus tremendously inspired the people of his time when he spoke words of love and words of hope, when he touched people with his healing hands, when he led together people from very different backgrounds into one loving community.” The message emphasizes that Easter does not promote spiritual pacification in the face of suffering that is otherwise unbearable. “May we celebrate this Easter as a time of reassurance that in all the abysses we presently experience in the world, there is more to come,” reads the message. “This outlook continues to unite us in our global church community. It connects us with all people on this earth, who are together with us created in God’s image.”   Easter Message 2026 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 356 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland