Colombian Bishop Calls for Societal Models That Promote Peace and Reconciliation

Opening Worship Service of the LWF Council Meeting in Bogotá

“God calls us to believe in another world.” With these words, Bishop Eduardo Martínez of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia (IELCO) welcomed The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council members to their meeting in Bogotá.

In his sermon on Mark 4:35-41 during the opening service, the IELCO bishop  stressed that faith in God enables people to believe in a reality that is radically different from the conditions under which many suffer today worldwide.

Martínez said that human history could be understood as a history of conflicts. The history books of his country were filled with violence—from the wars among indigenous peoples to the bloody internal conflict that has held Colombia captive for decades. “In short, history teaches us that we human beings have not managed to live together in peace,” he noted.

At the same time, he said he saw tension between the cultural diversity of peoples and the growing uniformity of culture and society at the global level. The key question here is what kind of social model will prevail. “Is it a society based on human and ecological well-being?” he asked. “Or is it a society concentrating on economic success and the accumulation of wealth as an indicator of development?”

Martínez called on the global Lutheran communion not to lose hope in the face of such huge challenges. “Have we ceased to believe in God and his ability to radically change the course of humanity and the world? The societal models and cultures we have constructed are not natural but human-made and therefore changeable. We cannot and must not accept the present state of the world as natural!”

Referring to the theme of the Council meeting, “Together for a just, peaceful and reconciled world,” the IELCO bishop stressed that God calls upon people to change this world for the better. To that end, they should develop new models of relations in the family, society and between the nations.

“Such models would consider the good of all creatures and share this common house that is our world.” He appealed to the LWF communion to “accept this invitation and let us work together for a just, peaceful and reconciled world!”

After the communion service, led by Rev. Rocio Morales and featuring typically Colombian music, LWF President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan greeted the worshippers and thanked the Council host church for the invitation to Colombia.

“We have come to Colombia in the spirit of learning.” IELCO was progressive not only because it preached the gospel but also thanks to its excellent and wide-ranging diaconal work with the poor. “It is an honor for us to be here!” Younan added.

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