August 29, 2017 3:47 PM
[WCC] The World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary, Revd
Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, has reflected on the work of the ecumenical
movement in 2017, describing the present as “an extraordinary ecumenical
chance at this point in history.”
Addressing a week long conference of the International Ecumenical
Fellowship in Wittenberg, in Germany, Revd Olav reflected that, if we
are living in a very dangerous phase of human history, we are also
witnessing a moment of renewed hope for life.
“The tensions around the Korean Peninsula have brought us even closer
to a nuclear stand-off during the last weeks,” he said. “In addition,
the denial of global warming and its consequences and the violence and
war in the Middle East and other regions are other factors darkening the
horizon of the future of humankind.” In contrast to this bleak picture,
however, more and more people are realising they cannot remain silent
bystanders but must act.
“Was this not the case for so many who were moved and motivated by
Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli or John Calvin at the time of the
Reformation?” Revd Olav asked. “Of course, we learned that this momentum
can get lost, can even be turned upside down as a legitimisation of
human power and a justification for violence and war.”
Revd Olav also described the signs of hope he has seen in his
travels. “I just visited the people and churches in the Pacific who
still suffer the consequences of nuclear testing in their region and see
their islands threatened by the consequences of climate change,” he
said. “But they continue to celebrate life and to look out for the
solidarity of their sisters and brothers worldwide that is so important
for them.”
He also described the hope he felt when the WCC leadership met recently with Pope Francis for a private audience.
“There is only one common future and hope for all or there is no hope
for the future at all,” he continued. “We have seen in the ecumenical
movement how repentance and mutual accountability have contributed to
the deepening of the fellowship and the capacity to address the dividing
powers of this world.”
Rather than focusing on our enemies, we should pay attention to the
forces that make people enemies to one another, he said. “We have to
analyse how the polarizing and dividing powers that lead to conflict and
war today are working against the will of God in this world.”
The churches are in many ways affected by the divisions of our times,
Revd Olav continued. “In theological terms the lack of the capacity to
relate to the other or the neighbour in responsible ways reflects the
brokenness of community with the other and with God,” he said. “The
continuing existence of injustice, racism, war, killings, persecution
and despair driving people to flee from their dear homes and families
reminds us that these are not just matters of history but remain a
reality for Europe and the world today.”
Revd Olav urged people to see the value of moving forward together as
churches in a pilgrimage of justice and peace. “We do have an
extraordinary ecumenical chance at this point in history. Let us pray
that we don’t miss it.” Anglican News
No comments:
Post a Comment