A panel of speakers for the thematic plenary on ’Christian Unity and the Churches’ Common Witness’ at the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 31 August to 8 September, under the theme 'Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity'. L-R: Bran Friesen of the World Christian Student Federation; Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity; Metropolitan Job of Psidia, Ecumenical Patriarchate; plenary moderator Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, presiding bishop of the Evangelische Kirche in Bavaria; Canon Dr Rosemary Muthoni Mbogo of the Anglican Church of Kenya; Rev. Prof. Dr. Jooseop Keum from the Council on World Mission; and Lani Mireya Anaya Jiménez of the Methodist Church of Mexico
A panel of speakers for the thematic plenary on ’Christian Unity and the Churches’ Common Witness’ at the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 31 August to 8 September, under the theme 'Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity'. L-R: Bran Friesen of the World Christian Student Federation; Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity; Metropolitan Job of Psidia, Ecumenical Patriarchate; plenary moderator Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, presiding bishop of the Evangelische Kirche in Bavaria; Canon Dr Rosemary Muthoni Mbogo of the Anglican Church of Kenya; Rev. Prof. Dr. Jooseop Keum from the Council on World Mission; and Lani Mireya Anaya Jiménez of the Methodist Church of Mexico. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC (7 Sept. 2022)

Plenary challenges WCC to embrace unity through youth, reconciliation, and love of one another

 — Sept. 7, 20227 sept. 2022
WCC News

Speakers during a World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly plenary under the theme “Christian unity and the churches’ common witness” on 7 September reflected on unity, mission, and reconciliation in the fellowship and ecumenical movement. The plenary theme included conversation on accomplishments and challenges to Christian unity and mission since the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, and mutual accountability and witness to the love of Christ in a changing landscape and looking forward.

Bishop Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Stromn, delegate of the Evangelical Church in Germany and presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, led two panel discussions on Christian unity and the churches’ common witness.

H.E. Most Rev. Brian Farrel spoke about the need for churches to go beyond looking for commonalities but to face differences. “What differences are perfectly legitimate, what differences are compatible,” he said, “…and what are the ones we have to try still to overcome because they stand in the way of fuller communion. This for us is a hugely important achievement of the ecumenical movement.”

Transforming disciples

“One of the key goals of unity and mission should be to reflect on how we understand and give expression to the power of God’s love,” said Rev. Prof. Dr Jooseop Keum, delegate representative and general secretary of the Council for World Mission, noting a yearning for transforming discipleship that can bring reconciliation and healing.

“We need to be hope of the world, as agents of change,” he continued. “We need to witness together the power of God’s love.”

Ecumenism needs youth engagement

“Young people are here, young people have a spirituality… young people are already forming ecumenical spaces,” explained Lani Mireya Anaya Jiménez, challenging the assembly to consider how to better engage youth in intergenerational ecumenism and unity.

Rev. Canon Dr Rosemary Muthoni Mbogo, delegate and provincial secretary of the Anglican Church of Kenya also noted the need for engaging youth and young adults, “let’s use the gifts that are unique to all of us!”

Reconciliation and unity

Bran Friesen, assembly guest and member of the Mennonite Church of Canada, serving the WCC Reference Group on the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, invited members of the assembly to “be uncomfortable” in the work of reconciliation and unity.

She spoke of the ongoing work of Indigenous reconciliation in Canada and around the world, and for her vision for what a future reconciliation would look like, “… my challenge to you would be to do this united – across denomination, across colour, across privilege, across location, across religion – inclusive of youth. And this will be the witness you want of love, needed in a rapidly changing landscape. It must be done together, it must be done now, and my hope depends on it.”

“For the future of our ecumenical movement, we need reconciliation,” urged H.E. Metropolitan Job of Psidia, delegate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and permanent representation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the WCC. “We need reconciliation within our churches. We need reconciliation between our churches. We need reconciliation with the whole of humanity with those who are excluded and marginalized. I’m convinced that the WCC must have a prophetic voice for the future.”

Hope for the future

“Despite the many challenges that we face,” said Rev. Prof Jacqueline Grey, from the Pentecostal World Fellowship, “I have great hope for the future.” She spoke of Pentecostal involvement in the ecumenical movement. “It will still take deliberate engagement” we are brought together by Christ’s love. This requires us to truly love one another, not to just tolerate one another.”

Posted: Sept. 7, 2022 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=12491
Categories: Conferences, WCC News • In this article: Christian unity, Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC, WCC Assembly Transmis : 7 sept. 2022 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=12491
Catégorie : Conferences, WCC News • Dans cet article : Christian unity, Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC, WCC Assembly


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