‘Without Peace between the World’s Religions, World Peace Is Not Possible’
German President Johannes Rau Calls for Cooperation between Faith Communities
GENEVA, 17 October 2001 (LWI) – Visibly concerned about the effects of international terrorism and the military action in Afghanistan following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America, German President Dr. Johannes Rau today called on the world religions to cooperate in order to promote peace globally.
President Rau was visiting Geneva-based international Christian organizations at the invitation of the World Council of Churches (WCC). He had a round-table discussion with WCC’s general secretary Dr. Konrad Raiser and the general secretaries of three other organizations: Dr. Ishmael Noko of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Dr. Keith Clements of the Conference of European Churches and Dr. Setri Nyomi of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.
At a subsequent press conference, Rau pointing to the initiative of theologian Hans Küng from Tübingen, Germany, said “Without peace between the world’s religions, world peace is not possible.”
He noted that during a state visit to Indonesia, he had consciously chosen to visit a Koran school before meeting with representatives of the Protestant Christian Batak Church. He underscored the need for dialogue between cultures, religions and denominations. “Cultures and religions are no longer found on separate continents,” Rau said. They meet in “the same street, the same house, the same school, the same company.”
Talking to Lutheran World Information (LWI), Noko emphasized that ecumenical cooperation creates the necessary conditions for meaningful inter-religious dialogue. “Ecumenical progress is a fundamental basis on which to build interfaith relations and cooperation for peace.” A Christian church which is divided within itself cannot effectively work with other faith communities in addressing issues of conflict and peace, he said.
Noko noted that the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification—signed by the LWF and the Roman Catholic on 31 October 1999 in Augsburg, Germany—was a key example of an ecumenical agreement that is also a peace instrument, bringing together faith communities on an issue over which wars have been fought. “Ecumenical dialogue is the cornerstone for building a community and a communion of churches – in a reconciled diversity which resists attempts to divide and manipulate,” he added.
During the press conference, Rau spoke of the effects of globalization particularly when this development only benefits the industrialized nations’ economies. Globalization must not remain exclusively an economic program, he said. It must be ensured that “human rights are globalized as much as the stock exchange.” Globalization, Rau said, must include the struggle against poverty, destitution, and hunger.
(Translated from the German original by LWI correspondent, Barbara Robra )
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