Joint Working Group: Tenth Report and Two Study Document

The Joint Working Group (JWG) between the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches (WCC) has published its Tenth Report 2014–2022, entitled Walking, Praying, and Working Together: An Ecumenical Pilgrimage.

With the publication of the Report, the Joint Working Group has completed its current mandate. The Report takes its title from the motto of Pope Francis’ visit to Geneva in June 2018 on the occasion of the 70^th anniversary of the foundation of the WCC. It captures well the WCC’s emphasis on a pilgrimage of justice and peace following the 10^th Assembly in Busan in 2013, and Pope Francis’ conviction that unity can only grow as Christians walk together as fellow pilgrims in Christ’s love. The Report reflects upon the way that this emphasis on pilgrimage has helped the two partners to reinforce their collaboration when churches were facing new challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis and violent conflicts in many parts of the world. It shows that being together on the way in prayer and praxis is a necessary condition for moving closer to the goal of visible unity.

Together with the Report, the JWG has also published two Study Documents with recommendations to the churches:

1. Peace is a Treasure for All: An Ecumenical Reflection on Peacebuilding in Situations of Conflict and Violence, and
2. Migrants and Refugees: Ecumenical Challenges and Opportunities

The first document explores the role of religion, culture and dialogue in peacebuilding and offers practical recommendations on how the churches can contribute together in resolving conflicts and promoting peace.

The second document examines the phenomenon of modern migration from a pastoral perspective and proposes multiple ways in which churches can cooperate in this area.

The two study documents have been published as appendices to the Report and, in order to facilitate their wider diffusion and use among the churches, also as a separate booklet.

The last Report of the JWG [link] was published in 2012.

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