placeholder image

The vision at the heart of the ecumenical movement and the challenges it faces at the beginning of the 21st century in Africa were highlighted by both the outgoing and incoming general secretaries of the World Council of Churches (WCC) at the 8th Assembly of the All Africa Conferences of Churches (AACC) in Yaounde, Cameroon, on 24 November.

Speaking at a plenary called "AACC celebrates world ecumenism", Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser chose the reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement as his topic. An in-depth discussion on reconfiguration has been launched under the WCC's lead; Raiser pointed out that the success of reconfiguration depends on the ability to recreate an "ecumenical vision" for the 21st century.

Important as clear goals and objectives as well as organizational coherence may be, it is "the 'ecumenical vision' – handed to us in the biblical witness," that gives the ecumenical movement its vitality, Raiser argued. This vision – expressed among other places in the prayer "that all may be one" (John 17, 21) – "has to be appropriated afresh in each generation," he said.

Recalling various attempts over recent years to spell out "the ecumenical vision for the present context", Raiser noted that the WCC's 1998 assembly had identified "the visible oneness of the body of Christ, the healing of human community, the liberating power of forgiveness, and a culture of dialogue and solidarity" as key elements of such a vision.

The vision is a "life-centred" one. As such, it is "in tension with" economic globalization, Raiser suggested. It also has concrete consequences for the "organized life of the ecumenical movement": it requires "increased cooperation and partnership for mutual support", instead of competition; "multilateral instead of bilateral relationships"; "conciliar structures rather than… denominationalism".

The WCC outgoing general secretary noted that while the ecumenical vision and values must find expression in "the fellowship of people and churches in local contexts", the regional and global ecumenical organizations allow "the different local expressions of ecumenism to encounter one another in mutual accountability".

African challenges

In his turn, the WCC general secretary-elect Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia stressed that the ecumenical movement in Africa is called to provide "an alternative vision of a renewed future in which all should have life in abundance". The challenge of the ecumenical movement is "to develop alternative paradigms, social grids and indices conducive to a comprehensive understanding of the prevailing historical moment."

Speaking "as one of the sons of this great continent", Kobia stated that "while poverty and disease are on the increase in most parts of the continent, the struggles for the well-being of the poor and the weak must remain on top of our agenda together".

"While seeking justice for the poor and upholding the integrity of creation in order to foster renewal of public life and values, the churches together with civil society institutions are now faced with the formidable task of rebuilding societies differently", looking for "radical structural change in the living conditions of the working poor, excluded groups and peasant communities in rural Africa", Kobia said.

In this endeavour, the churches are called together "to be creative and not driven by ideological but theological imperatives". It is "vitally important", Kobia stressed, that churches "bring theology back to the people, and craft new themes of spirituality that are congenial to our unique experience and place in the world".

One way to do that would be to establish "parish networks of social study groups and awareness building initiatives that will strengthen the ecumenical movement from below". In addition to that, "we must re-think institutional forms of ecumenism" in order to express "the aspirations for unity among ordinary Christians who seek to bring change in society", Kobia added.

Bonds of affection

During the plenary devoted to celebrate world ecumenism, Rev. Dr. Mvume Dandala, AACC general secretary, hailed Raiser for his "extensive commitment to Africa" manifested during his tenure as WCC General Secretary. Kobia, who succeeds Raiser on January 1, was for his part welcomed as the first WCC General Secretary from Africa.

The AACC presented plaques of tribute to Raiser and to Melaku Kifle, WCC Programme Executive for Africa, who was seconded by the WCC to the AACC as acting general secretary during the past 18 months. Kobia, who was at his turn presented with a Bible, had praised the election as AACC general secretary of Rev. Dandala, whose leadership will ensure "the conference of churches is owned by those whom it serves".

Kobia had also previously recalled the WCC Programme to Combat Racism, created in 1968, as "one of the greatest programmatic milestones in the life of the WCC". However, he added, "to combat new and old forms of racism, including ethnic strife that lead to genocide, remains on the agenda of WCC in its journey together with Africa".