Interview
What are your strongest hopes and most fervent prayers at this time for the WCC and the assembly?
Bishop Bosse-Huber: Today, we are praying and doing everything we can to help end the conflicts in the world and especially the war in Ukraine. WCC called senior representatives of WCC member churches from several neighbouring European countries in March to consult, share perspectives on the war and its causes, and to discern possible paths forward. The second meeting in June will include representatives from Ukraine and Russia . It is my deep conviction that peace can never be won and secured in any other way than in conversation and I hope that the ecumenical family will continue together on this path that eventually will help to restore peace between the two brotherly nations and within Europe.
What does the assembly mean to the local churches in Germany?
Bishop Bosse-Huber: I expect that the assembly will strengthen the role and responsibility of the churches in our society. The preparations show that secular, cultural and political institutions are particularly interested in the assembly. They recognize that the churches and religious communities are important multipliers and drivers of social development as we learned anew in the European Regional Pre-Assembly in February.
As a member of the WCC central committee, what makes you grateful for the role of the WCC?
Bishop Bosse-Huber: Especially in a situation in which cohesion and closeness are being put to the test by the COVID-19 pandemic, in which our vulnerability is coming into focus, the assembly can send an important signal: only together can we meet the challenges of our times. A good example is the efforts by WCC and others to break the focus on national interests in providing vaccines against the pandemic. Privileges undermine constructive coexistence; racism and injustice destroy a stable community. If we can counter these current trends not only with a clear message, but also with a living testimony of peace with justice, reconciliation, unity, then all our efforts will have been worthwhile.
As bishop, what are some of the challenges you have faced in steering this complex ship?
Bishop Bosse-Huber: We often have the feeling that we have already clarified a lot theologically, but on a practical level we do not yet dare to draw the conclusions. The assembly and its witness of strengthening unity could help to be more consistent and courageous in our multilateral ecumenical cooperation with different churches on the ground.
What is your main message as the delegates prepare themselves to join the 11th assembly in Karlsruhe?
Bishop Bosse-Huber: We in Europe need to come into close contact with churches from all over the world. I hope that they will help us to look at our work and our role as churches from different perspectives. I long for impulses for our faith and a happy and unmistakable testimony for justice and peace, for hope and confidence. I anticipate an important boost for our ecumenical situation in Europe and in Germany.
