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The Lutheran World Federation
Lutheran World Information |
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| 30.06.2008 |
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| Human Trafficking, Corruption and Inter-Religious Dialogue Elaborated |
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LWF Council Delegates Discuss General Secretary Report
ARUSHA, Tanzania/GENEVA, 30 June 2008 (LWI) – The crisis in Zimbabwe, corruption, human trafficking and inter-religious dialogue were some of the key issues delegates at the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council meeting in Arusha, Tanzania singled out as key concerns from the general secretary’s report.
In his report to the Council, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko had pointed out that the meeting’s theme, “Melting Snow on Mount Kilimanjaro: A Witness of a Suffering Creation,” provoked the Lutheran church to re-examine its roles and activities in the face of a crisis. While referring to the LWF president’s address, he noted the crisis was no longer looming, but was already with the people.
Council adviser Margareta Grape, Church of Sweden, urged the LWF governing body to take strong steps to help end the crisis in Zimbabwe. The Lutheran church could use any known and existing instruments within the church and political constituency that allow the responsibility to protect others, she said.
“I hope we deal with Zimbabwe in a way that helps,” said Grape. (See Public Statement on Zimbabwe at: http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/2230.EN.html)
In his report, Noko had said it was clear the government in Zimbabwe, having lost the elections, wanted to make the country ungovernable. He had noted the LWF governing body meeting in Africa had an opportunity and responsibility to speak about Zimbabwe where citizens had lost confidence in the leadership.
“We have a responsibility to talk about Zimbabwe beyond today and what happens after the crisis. But we need to be in dialogue. We cannot do things alone,” he said in response to Grape’s comments.
New Slavery
LWF Executive Committee member Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan said human trafficking was becoming a new form of slavery and re-colonization.
“The most basic notion of human dignity in all religious traditions maintains those human beings are not movable possession to be bought and sold. And yet an increasing number of human beings are being trafficked each year across international borders, and probably even more within national borders,” Noko had noted in his report.
Interreligious Dialogue
Younan also commented on the situation in the Holy Land, saying Christians needed to be stronger in Jerusalem since they were losing the city to extremists. He suggested the use of interfaith dialogue to fight extremists, especially in the Middle East, where it was the norm.
“Europe is suffering because they do not know how to talk with Muslims. Africa is also having problems on how to talk to Muslims. Ecology is the way to speak to the Muslims because we share the environment,” he said.
“I am very sensitive that we Christians in Africa have tried to bring peace as Christian only. We have forgotten other groups. We see things as Christians. There are others who we share the environment with,” responded Noko.
“We Lutherans have something to do with the Muslims. Trafficking for example cannot be done by Christians alone. Climate change does not affect Christians alone,” he said, emphasizing the need for inter religious cooperation such as the Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) initiatives.
Corruption
Council youth member Michel Ngoy Mulunda, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo, had inquired about the LWF’s position on corruption in governments, a situation which some delegates said had made African people lose faith in their leaders.
“Corruption is responsible for Africa’s state of affairs,” said Noko. He noted that the continent’s poor development record, despite good intentions from supporters, was as a result of an extremely complicated access to resources.
Council member Bishop Maria Jepsen, North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Germany, questioned LWF invisibility saying it was only seen in Geneva and the Council was not directly involved. She called for more transparency in the organizations activities.
At a press conference on his report, Noko explained why the LWF had not stated its position on the subject of human sexuality. “The LWF last year received a report from a committee appointed to work on a report on marriage, family and sexuality. The report contains very substantive information and perspectives. The Council received the report in the presence of some of the leading bishops from around the world. It was decided we forward that report to the churches for study and report back in five years,” he said, referring to the LWF Task Force on Marriage, Family and Human Sexuality and the proposed guidelines to facilitate discussion on this subject among the member churches.
“DMD [Department for Mission and Development] does not work independently of the churches,” said Noko, in his reply to a journalist’s concern that there appeared to be a conflict of interest between DMD’s work and that of the LWF member churches. “It coordinates the funds for churches’ work, so there is no conflict,” he added. (805 words)
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There are around 170 participants in this year’s Council meeting including church leaders, officials from LWF partner organizations, invited guests, stewards, interpreters and translators, LWF staff and co-opted staff and accredited media.
The Council is the LWF’s 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.
LUTHERAN WORLD INFORMATION
Tel.: +41/22-791 63 69
Fax: +41/22-791 66 30
Editor’s E-Mail: pmu@lutheranworld.org
Media contact in Arusha: +255 782 321 852
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