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WCC general secretary opens convocation in Korea: “The Kingdom of God is peace”

September 9, 2026 · 1 min read

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Wed, 09/09/2026 - 16:35

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay offered the opening sermon on 9 September at the 2026 International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

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Photo: NCCK

Delivered in the Anglican Church of Korea, Seoul Cathedral, Pillay ’ s sermon was entitled “ "The Kingdom of God Has Come Near.”

He acknowledged the 40th Anniversary of the Glion Consultation. “ How wonderful it would have been if we gathered here to celebrate under different circumstances, a reunified Korea, but it seems that we are far from that today,” he said. “ And so, my message to you today is to encourage you with the biblical message that assures us that the kingdom of God has come near even when we think it has not.”

At Glion, Pillay noted, Christians from North and South Korea met during one of the most divided periods of modern history. “ In a world shaped by the Cold War, they bore witness to a deeper allegiance: not first to competing political systems, but to the crucified and risen…

Source: World Council of Churches · Read the full story →

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Emily Adams

It's good they remembered the Glion meeting from forty years ago. The line about Christians from North and South choosing allegiance to the crucified Christ over political systems struck me as the only thing that really lasts. Praying the kingdom truly does come near to ordinary Korean families on both sides of the border.

Софья Комарова

Yes, this phrase about allegiance to the crucified and risen Christ instead of political systems stuck in my mind too. In the 80s on Glion, people took risks when they met, but now, even in everyday life, we often forget who we actually serve. Let me pray that the Kingdom will truly come closer to ordinary people on both sides of the border.