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Situations of conflict, social fragmentation and political tensions in South Sudan, South Korea and Nigeria, as well as struggles of the churches in these countries seeking justice, peace and stability for all people and communities, formed the focus of a session on 3 July at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
Church representatives from South Sudan, South Korea and Nigeria shared information about the situations in each of their countries with the 150 members of the WCC Central Committee, who are addressing the theme “pilgrimage of justice and peace” in their week-long meeting.
In his reflections on the civil war in South Sudan, Rev. Peter L. Tibi from the Africa Inland Church said, “The churches must find the will and the ways to pursue justice, contain conflict and replace violence and war with peaceful and effective means of addressing injustices.”
While stopping the war is South Sudan is an absolute priority, the first step in finding a long-term solution, Tibi said, is the recognition of its root causes.
“Whenever freedom, opportunity, truth and hope are denied, the seeds of conflict will grow,” he said.
Tibi added that the churches in Sudan and South Sudan, faith based organizations and civil society actors have been demanding reforms that can help achieve peace in the region. These steps, he said, include “dismantling warlordism, clarifying an overarching vision for the country and embarking on a process towards national healing and good governance”.
WCC president for Asia Rev. Dr Sang Chang from the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea spoke about churches’ aspirations for the reunification of the Korean peninsula, a concern that has been addressed by the WCC and its member churches over a number of years.
“Why should the Korean peninsula, which gained independence and freedom after 36 years of oppression from a defeated Japan, be divided? This is the outcry of the churches,” Chang said.
Sharing the history of separation between South Korea and North Korea, Chang said that the immediate outcome of the tragic division was the Korean war of 1950, costing numerous lives. She said, “Reunification is not possible without peace, and peace is not possible without reconciliation, and reconciliation is not possible without forgiveness”.
“Can the North forgive the South, the South forgive the North, Koreans forgive Japan, the former Soviet Union, China and the US? Can the countries of the world repent and pray for forgiveness?” Chang asked, stressing the significance of the Christian principal of forgiveness for the church members.
Chang also mentioned a prayer initiative of the Koreans to observe a designated Sunday before 15 August dedicated to the peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula. Chang said this initiatives is part of the “pilgrimage of justice and peace”, a call issued by the WCC 10th Assembly. The WCC Assembly was held last year in Busan, Republic of Korea.
WCC Central Committee member Rev. Emmanuel Josiah Udofia from the African Church spoke of his home country Nigeria, currently faced with the threat posed by the insurgency of Boko Haram, a militant group known for carrying out violent attacks on people in the country.
According to international reports, over 3,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram in Nigeria. He said that Nigeria is among countries with a high number of internally displaced people. “Boko Haram hardly spares anyone; however, Christians are their prime targets,” he said.
“In states such as Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, where the federal government has already imposed a state of emergency, Christian communities are more at risk in particular, and extremely vulnerable to the insurgents’ threats of mass massacre,” Udofia added.
Speaking on the abduction of more than 250 young women by the Boko Haram fighters, Udofia said that the incident has “shaken the conscience of the Nigerian state”.
“It represents a gruesome assault on the lives, dignity and future of innocent and defenceless girls. It once again reminds us of the painful reality of the cruelty that women are subjected to during violent conflicts, including captivity, sexual slavery and their use as human shields,” he said.
These presentations at the meeting were aimed at informing the WCC Central Committee members about the countries faced with conflict situations. These countries, among others, have been identified as priority areas for the work for peace and justice by the WCC member churches.
The Central Committee meeting will continue until Wednesday 9 July.
More about the WCC Central Committee
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