WCC webinar explores companionship as a theological and ecclesial practice

WCC webinar explores companionship as a theological and ecclesial practice

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Thu, 09/10/2026 - 21:23

The opening session of the World Council of Churches (WCC) webinar series “Theology of Companionship – Foundations: Why Companionship Now?” was held on 9 September.

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Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

Moderated by Rev. Karin van den Broeke, co-moderator of the WCC Pilgrimage Reference Group, the session explored the theological foundations of companionship and asking why this language matters for churches today.

Prof. Dr Fernando Enns, member of the WCC central and executive committees, presented companionship as a theological and spiritual orientation within the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation and Unity.

In his presentation, “Towards an Ecumenical Theology of Companionship,” Enns explored how companionship can reshape churches’ understanding of presence, mutual accountability, vulnerability and hope. He proposed a shift from “accompaniment” to “companionship”, moving beyond approaches that can unintentionally reproduce paternalistic or colonial patterns.

Companions – from the idea of those who “share the…