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The Lutheran World Federation
Lutheran World Information |
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| 27.03.2007 |
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| LWF General Secretary Noko Envisages Eucharistic Sharing in 60 Years |
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Discussion on Marriage, Family and Sexuality Will Not Divide LWF
LUND, Sweden/GENEVA, 27 March 2007 (LWI) – The General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, (LWF) Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, says he is convinced the current ecumenical relations will lead to concrete visible signs of church unity in the future, including eucharistic sharing.
Addressing the closing press conference of the 20-27 March meeting of the LWF Council in Lund, Sweden, Noko said one would not have envisioned the current LWF communion of churches 60 years ago when the Federation was founded in the Swedish city of Lund. The agenda dwelt on the place of the Lutheran church in the world then, a few years after the end of World War II. Today, the focus is on the place of the LWF in the ecumenical movement, something that was not envisaged in 1947, he said, in response to a question about his vision for the LWF in the next six decades.
The LWF general secretary and Church of Sweden Archbishop Anders Wejryd addressed the joint press conference at the end of the Council meeting. This year’s meeting included a Church Leadership Consultation and other events to celebrate the LWF’s 60th anniversary in the city where the Federation was founded in 1947. Some 500 people including over 100 church leaders attended the events, hosted by the Swedish church, and its Diocese of Lund.
On the controversial debate on marriage, family and sexuality, Wejyrd said this was not an issue that should divide the Lutheran communion. He noted issues of cultural ethics, fidelity, moral responsibility and social identity have always been a challenge for the church. But, he emphasized, the unity of the church depends on agreement on the teaching of the gospel and the administration of sacraments.
The Swedish archbishop challenged the churches and ecumenical movement to uphold principles, responsibility and make ethical judgement on social and theological issues of the day to shape the future. “Christians have to interpret the fundamental message of love and salvation not just by being translated into whether we are good or bad Christians,” he remarked.
For Noko, the issue of marriage, family and sexuality should not threaten church unity, because Jesus Christ is the host [of the church] and the rest are simply guests invited to partake of the one Holy Communion. He likened this to people invited to a party, who may not like each other, but would tolerate each other for the sake of their host.
On the question of youth delegates to LWF events including the Assembly, the general secretary said plans were underway to ensure that the LWF secretariat enter into discussion with government authorities to ease visa procedures to facilitate youth participation in the 11th Assembly in 2010 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Dates for 2008 Council Meeting
On the recommendation of the Executive Committee, the Council voted to hold its next meeting from 24 June to 1 July 2008, with the venue still to be decided.
The LWF Council meets once every 12 to 18 months and consists of the President, who is elected by the Assembly, the Treasurer, who can be elected from among the membership or from outside, and 48 people elected by the Assembly.
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An estimated 500 people including over 100 church leaders attended this year’s Council meeting, church leadership consultation and the LWF 60th anniversary celebrations. Also present were officials from LWF partner organizations, invited guests, stewards, interpreters and translators, LWF staff and co-opted staff, accredited media, and participants in the three-year LWF international training program for young communicators.
The Council is the governing body meeting between Assemblies held every six years. The current Council was appointed at the July 2003 Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada. It comprises the President, Treasurer and 48 persons elected by the Assembly. Other members include advisors, lay and ordained persons, representing the different LWF regions.
During the Council meeting, the LWF Office for Communication Services can be reached at mobile tel no. +46/76-276 1311.
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