WCC central committee moderator reflects on importance of Multi-Religious Council of Leaders

WCC central committee moderator reflects on importance of Multi-Religious Council of Leaders

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Wed, 07/29/2026 - 19:42

The Multi-Religious Council of Leaders, brought together by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Religions for Peace, strengthens collective efforts across regions and faiths to address root causes by supporting global advocacy, conflict prevention, reconciliation, peacebuilding, and social cohesion initiatives. Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee moderator, who recently attended his first meeting with the council, reflects on its important role and how churches can contribute.

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Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC central committee moderator, and Barham Salih, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Photo: UNHCR/Antoine Tardy

What did you take with you from your first meeting with the Multi-Religious Council of Leaders?

Bishop Bedford-Strohm: I was touched by the atmosphere of friendship and cooperation between faith leaders with very different backgrounds. It showed to me that religious…