War in Ukraine, noticeable consequences of climate change and hunger in the world: the urgent problems also concern the Christian churches. An important congress has now started in Karlsruhe.
More than 4,000 Christians from all over the world want to make trend-setting decisions for their future work in Karlsruhe in the coming days. The assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) – a fellowship of around 350 churches representing more than 580 million people worldwide – began on Wednesday. WCC general secretary Ioan Sauca spoke of a “gathering of historic importance”. The decisions of the assembly determined the work of the WCC.
The Christian community must come together again and position itself on important social issues, said Sauca. He cited climate justice, racism and famine as examples. “People are dying,” he stressed. “Karlsruhe will be a new beginning.” The corona pandemic has strengthened the need for reconciliation in many people. Bishop Petra Bosse-Huber of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) said perhaps the WCC assembly has never been more important than in these times.
The Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the WCC and is usually held every eight years. For the first time she is a guest in Germany. The motto for the eleventh edition is: “The love of Christ moves, reconciles and unites the world.” A speech by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and words of welcome by Baden-Württemberg Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann were expected on Wednesday afternoon.
“Christ’s love tolerates no aggressive war”
EKD Council Chair Annette Kurschus hopes for a clear sign of peace: “Christ’s love does not tolerate aggressive wars,” she said in her greeting. “The love of Christ is not sentimentalism.” It is a practice – energetic, daring, courageous, resistant.
Sauca announced that eleven Ukrainians should attend the congress, along with a delegation from Russia. The general secretary said the war was casting a shadow over the General Assembly. But the WCC sees itself as a free space for dialogue. For the first time since the beginning of the war, representatives of both orthodox tendencies were to meet in Karlsruhe. Another contentious issue is a motion critical of Israel by the Anglican Church of South Africa.
Orthodox, Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Reformed and independent churches are represented in the WCC. He describes the assembly as “the most comprehensive gathering of Christians in the world”. The Catholic Church is not a member of the WCC. She only attends the General Assembly as a guest.
The church representatives will debate the various topics until September 8th. In addition, there are many occasions for common prayer. Among other things, there is a 17 meter high so-called Magic Sky with a diameter of 42 meters on the fairground near the zoo. It is intended to create an open space for prayer and encounters.
Interested parties who do not belong to any delegation can either follow live streams on the Internet or participate for a day ticket worth 64 euros. This also includes meals.
According to the Evangelical Church in Baden, around 250 events are planned for citizens in the city center, such as concerts, workshops and discussion rounds – all of them free of charge. Most of the events are planned to be in English. Where possible, a German translation should be offered.
Information about the Assembly program of the Assembly
Source: Stern
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