WCC NEWS: WCC invites participation in survey on freedom of religion or belief

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is inviting its member churches in four regions to take part in a survey on freedom of religion or belief (FORB).  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 5 December 2025 The initiative aims to map the current landscape of FORB within the WCC network and lay the foundation for collaborative efforts to respect, defend, and promote religious freedom globally. In its initial phase, the project will focus on WCC member churches in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East The survey follows recommendations made during the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 2022, where FORB was a key theme of Ecumenical Conversations. Building on the assembly’s conclusions and the WCC’s 2023-2030 Strategic Plan, this mapping exercise is the first step in establishing a FORB networking platform. This platform will facilitate mutual learning and collaboration among WCC member churches, empowering them to act collectively in support of religious freedom for all. “In many contexts, the freedom of religion or belief is under pressure. Christians’ rights to worship, to share their faith, and to enjoy equal access to common good is increasingly restricted in many countries”, said Rev. Dr Jonas Jørgensen, WCC’s advisor on Freedom of Religion and Belief, who coordinates the project. “This lack of freedom is an ecumenical concern. Mapping the challenges experienced and the tactics employed by churches will help us as an ecumenical fellowship to better address the injustices,” he added. Denominations are encouraged to respond to the survey at both national and sub-national levels, and to invite church-related organizations, such as church-based development agencies, to participate.  The survey, sent direclty to the ecumenical officers of the WCC member churches in the selected regions, will remain open until mid February 2025. The findings will guide the preparation of electronic regional consultations scheduled for early April 2025. These consultations will help shape potential future networking and collaboration on FORB, depending on the outcomes of the survey and the commitment of WCC members to engage further.   Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB) Learning Platform Conference of European Churches reflects on freedom of religion during COVID-19 pandemic   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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland