WCC news: North America-Turtle Island Regional Ecumenical Theological Institute: "Where Now for Visible Justice?”

The Canadian Council of Churches and National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, supported by the World Council of Churches (WCC), announced a joint theological project: the North America-Turtle Island Regional Ecumenical Theological Institute. 11 March 2026 Scheduled for 3-16 August, this initiative represents a renewed chapter in cross-border collaboration, providing a shared platform for emerging Christian leaders from Canada and the United States to engage in deep theological reflection and spiritual fellowship. Drawing inspiration from the WCC Global Ecumenical Theological Institute, the regional institute will focus on theological engagement in the specific context of North America-Turtle Island. The program is a fully immersive residential theological learning program designed as a pilgrimage across borders. The two-week immersion features two distinct geographical and thematic phases: a US phase hosted at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan; and a Canada phase hosted at the Toronto School of Theology in Toronto, Ontario. Guided by the central theme "Where Now for Visible Justice?" the institute will challenge North American churches to confront the tangible requirements of the Gospel. The curriculum will tackle six pillars: Solidarity with Indigenous Communities, Racism and Anti-Racism, Secularism and Laicity, Wealth Disparity and Poverty, Climate Justice, and Interfaith Dialogue. NATI-RETI is developed in close collaboration with the WCC’s Ecumenical Theological Education programme.  “The Regional Ecumenical Theological Institute (RETI) is a demonstration of how the vision and spirit of the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) continue to bear fruit at the regional level”, said Prof. Dr Ani Ghazaryan Drissi, WCC programme executive for Ecumenical Theological Education and coordinator of GETI 2025. “We are deeply encouraged to see how the WCC member churches in North America are engaging with RETI. It translates the global ecumenical learning journey into a regional context, creating a space where emerging leaders can deepen their theological reflection while engaging the urgent call to justice, reconciliation, and unity in North America–Turtle Island,” she added. The program for NATI-RETI seeks a diverse student body of 50 participants, including 20 from Canada and 30 from the US, including advanced students of theology, emerging researchers, and early career academics ages 21-35. These participants will be guided and mentored by a team of six facilitators throughout the journey. Applications close on 15 April 2026. Learn more about the North America-Turtle Island Regional Ecumenical Theological Institute 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 356 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