Image
Bishop Eva Brunne and Rev. Dr Sofia Camnerin Photo: WCC/Peter Williams

Bishop Eva Brunne and Rev. Dr Sofia Camnerin Photo: WCC/Peter Williams

Bishop Eva Brunne from Stockholm is one of three Swedes on the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), which met in Geneva 2–8 July. “The Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace” became the central focus of the Committee’s work.

Brunne says that for her pilgrimage is not just a hike through the forest and countryside – it is also about accompanying other persons and being part of a process.

“I’m not the type to take a spontaneous walk in the woods. I see the pilgrimage as a symbol of experiencing things with another person,” says Brunne.

Brunne has a saying that has followed her through her life: “Walking is like going on a long journey for a short distance.” For her, she says, “This is what it is all about: taking time, talking to each other and accompanying each other. You get involved in each other’s life stories.”

Highest decision-making body

Together with Celina Falk from the Church of Sweden and Sofia Camnerin from the Uniting Church in Sweden (Equmeniakyrkan), Brunne was elected last fall during the 10th Assembly, in Busan, Republic of Korea, to the WCC’s Central Committee, its highest decision-making body, where 150 members represent the 345 member churches in the fellowship until its next assembly, held every eighth year.

“I see the task of being part of the leadership of the WCC as itself a pilgrimage. We bring together over 550 million Christians from all over the world. We, the 150 members, are to work together to establish the direction of the organization and prepare it for the future,” says Brunne.

Walking the same path

Brunne says that one of her initial goals was simply to get to know the three people she shared a table with at the full sessions. There is one member from Russia, one from Canada and one from Malaysia.

“I see a pilgrimage as accompanying another person part of the way. We don’t choose the person we’re walking with. Instead, we get to know each other while walking together. This is my aim and task in the WCC: to get to know my colleagues and the organization. ”

Eva Brunne would like to work on the development of the WCC, and issues close to her heart include women’s issues, gender and human sexuality. “These are difficult issues that we need to discuss. The feeling after the assembly in Busan is that we’ve come a lot further in our discussions – there’s a new warmth and willingness to be receptive to one another. We’re starting to get to know each other in a new way.”

Inspiration channelled back to Sweden

The main thing she is taking home to her Stockholm diocese is the discussion method from the pilgrimage, the one used when walking and talking with – and learning from – each other.

“Our whole lives are based around learning. I want to learn more and discover new things. This curiosity is something I’ll keep with me throughout my life,” says Brunne.

Another thing that Brunne will be bringing home with her is the word pilgrimage itself and what it entails. It seems that, after this pilgrimage, its meaning has broadened for her. The discussions will continue at home in Sweden. Brunne has just started her pilgrimage with the 149 other members of the Central Committee of the WCC.

WCC member churches in Sweden