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The Lutheran World Federation
Lutheran World Information |
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| 17.11.2002 |
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| Seize Opportunity to Build Peace in Hopeless Situations, Tanzanian Church Leader Tells LWF Church Representatives |
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ELCT Deputy General Secretary Says Healing is in the Hands of Ordinary People
MONTREUX, Switzerland/GENEVA, 17 November 2002 (LWI) - The quest for peace building in Africa is not a matter for heads of states and governments, religious leaders or the elite and educated, rather, it is in the hands of ordinary people on the continent, a woman leader from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) told participants in the first preparatory gathering prior to the 2003 Tenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
“If I in Tanzania know that people in Mozambique, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Liberia and other countries think not about peace for their own countries but also for Africa as a whole [then] I am healed,” Ms Loe-Rose Mbise, ELCT Deputy General Secretary, told around 60 women representatives from LWF member churches worldwide, gathered in Montreux for the November 14-17 Pre-Assembly Women’s Gathering. Her sermon during the November 17 Sunday worship service, focused on “Healing through Peace Building – Opportunities for Peace Building in Africa.” Deliberations during the consultation were based on the Assembly theme, “For the Healing of the World.”
Although Africa’s 762 million people are faced with enormous challenges that discourage and demoralize many – conflict, poverty, HIV/AIDS and a host of other concerns – there are opportunities for peace building, Mbise said. Her reflection was based on Luke 19: 41-42. She pointed out that Jesus wept for the city of Jerusalem not because the people were dying and surrounded by many difficult situations, but “in a state of war, hunger, sickness and turmoil, he saw opportunities for peace building for the city and its people.”
“Are there opportunities for healing through peace building in Africa? Who is seizing these moments filled with opportunities? [Or] are we so much used to seeing sufferings in Africa that we no longer recognize opportunities for peace building?” Mbise asked and challenged listeners to seize the moment because “Jesus is reminding us today” of the peace-building opportunities in Africa.
The ELCT deputy general secretary cited examples of peace building opportunities in Africa namely the courage, will and determination; unity; spirituality and faith; and the rich and diverse composition of the African people. Africa’s colonial division, “has for a long time kept the people of the continent apart,” Mbise noted. But she also sees an opportunity – although indeed tragic, situations of colonization, civil wars, apartheid and so on – have brought many people together. “Can the hurting issue of refugees be turned into an opportunity that will enable future generations not to have to undergo the same experience again?” she wondered. She cited an association of friendship between the people of Mozambique and Tanzania, and underlined an opportunity in linking such “associations of ordinary people from all corners of Africa” with other forums to form a “strong web to be used in bringing peace to the continent.”
The ELCT official stressed that religious beliefs and values, a central feature of the lives of the African people, “are a source of a hope and courage” that transcend cultures and other barriers that could come in the way of peace building.
Mbise challenged the LWF church representatives “to recognize the numerous opportunities around us as a communion of believers, and as a body of Christ,” and use them to bring healing to ourselves.” Peace building for Africa is healing to Africa and the world, she concluded.
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