Canadian Council of Churches general secretary reflects on “parallel companionship based on respect, friendship, and justice”

Canadian Council of Churches general secretary reflects on “parallel companionship based on respect, friendship, and justice”

msc

Mon, 09/21/2026 - 18:17

Rev. Janet Anstead is general secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches. During a meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Pilgrimage of Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation Reference Group, she took time to reflect on the commitment of churches tor reconciliation, and on her vision of how people are ultimately healed and transformed on a grassroots level.

Image

Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC

What are some key elements that have struck you during the pilgrimage meeting in the last several days?

Rev. Anstead : It has been a privilege to be able to share some of the unique Canadian context with members from all over the world of the World Council of Churches. We of course can present a unique perspective on our continuing reconciliation attempts with our Indigenous member communities. I think in these days what has really struck me is something that we have grappled with here in Canada for so long, is unknown to the reset of the world. It’s important we have…