Hospitality, Inclusivity and Justice

Theological reflection on old and new forms of discrimination and exclusion will be on the agenda of some twenty representatives of churches and ecumenical organizations from Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe as well as North and Latin America, gathering in Nagpur, India, 10-14 December 2009.

In many contexts, discrimination and exclusion do no longer manifest themselves through ideological regimes like the apartheid system but as cultures, constantly influencing and guiding attitudes, perceptions and structures of relationships. By bestowing social, economic and even religious power and privileges on their custodians, these cultures have legitimized and institutionalized injustice and human abuse.

Christians are challenged to confront and transform these cultures; to explore alternative or counter-cultural resources; and to formulate theological instruments to liberate the churches from their captivity to oppressive cultures.

Common reflection on these challenges is hoped to help the networks associated with the the WCC project Towards Just and Inclusive Communities – networks related to racism, migration, indigenous peoples; Dalits and disability – to move towards a common understanding and vision.

This meeting of the Core Group for the WCC project Just and Inclusive Communities is hosted by the National Council of Churches in India.