News
“A century ago, in the same year your church was established, a pivotal event took place in Stockholm, Sweden—the Universal Conference on Life and Work,” Mtata reflected. “This gathering sought to discern what a credible and prophetic Christian witness would look like in a rapidly changing and challenging world.”
One hundred years later—and 1700 years since the first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea—the United Church of Canada is holding its 45th General Council.
“Will we align with state theology, a theology which legitimizes the status quo of oppression and injustice?” asked Mtata. "Will we settle for church theology, which prioritizes the church's self-preservation over taking risky transformative action?”
He noted that racism and discrimination persist, often cloaked in subtlety yet still exclusionary. “The fight against climate injustice is undermined by greenwashing and the marginalization of the vulnerable affected populations,” he said. “Does our heart not break when more wealth is siphoned from Africa through illicit financial flows than is given in aid?”
The theme of the United Church of Canada’s 45th General Council was “Visions and Dreams.”
The WCC considers the United Church of Canada a prophetic partner.
“You are already pioneers in many of these struggles,” said Mtata. “Your work with Indigenous communities in Canada sets an example for churches worldwide grappling with painful, unresolved histories.”
