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In Chile, “Churches’ ministry of reconciliation is key”

Bishop Izani Bruch, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile, serves as the Evangelical chaplain of the Government House at the Palacio de La Moneda, in Santiago since April 2022. Below, she shares insights about the current situation of the country from the perspective of Christian responsibility.

Tapestry artist Janine Marja Schneider sews regret, hope, and love into “Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance”

As Brazilian artist Janine Marja Schneider pieces together the Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance” tapestry, she brings mixed emotions to her endeavors. On one hand, shes inspired to bring the stories of women from around the world to life on the colorful blocks that cascade downward like liquid. On the other hand, with every stitch, she more deeply absorbs what brings these women together: it’s what theyve survived.

Argentinien: „Interreligiöse Solidarität im Dienst einer verwundeten Welt“ ist hoffnungsfroher Aufruf zu Zusammenarbeit

Prof. Dr. h.c. Humberto Martin Shikiya, Vizepräsident des regionalen ökumenischen Zentrums für Beratung und Dienstleistungen (CREAS) in Argentinen, berichtet im folgenden Interview, dass die Publikation „Interreligiöse Solidarität im Dienst einer verwundeten Welt: Ein christlicher Aufruf zum Nachdenken und Handeln während der Corona-Krise und darüber hinaus“ als ein hoffnungsfroher Aufruf zu ökumenischer und interreligiöser Zusammenarbeit wahrgenommen wird. Die gemeinsam vom Ökumenischen Rat der Kirchen (ÖRK) und dem Päpstlichen Rat für den interreligiösen Dialog veröffentlichte Publikation soll Kirchen und christliche Organisationen ermutigen, sich Gedanken darüber zu machen, wie wichtig interreligiöse Solidarität in der von der COVID-19-Pandemie verwundeten Welt ist.

En Argentine, « Servir un monde blessé » est un appel à la collaboration plein d’espoir

Le professeur Dr h.c. Humberto Martin Shikiya, vice-président du Centre œcuménique régional de défense des causes et de service (CREAS) en Argentine, réfléchit à la manière dont le document « Servir un monde blessé dans la solidarité interreligieuse » : un appel chrétien à la réflexion et à l’action pendant la COVID-19 et au-delà » est reçu comme un appel plein d’espoir à la collaboration œcuménique et interreligieuse. Le Conseil œcuménique des Églises (COE) et le Conseil pontifical pour le dialogue interreligieux ont publié conjointement « Servir un monde blessé » pour encourager les Églises et les organisations chrétiennes à réfléchir à l’importance de la solidarité interreligieuse dans un monde blessé par la pandémie de COVID-19.

En Argentina, “Al servicio de un mundo herido” constituye un llamado esperanzador a colaborar

El Prof. Dr. h.c. Humberto Martín Shikiya, vicepresidente del Centro Regional Ecuménico de Asesoría y Servicio (CREAS) en Argentina, reflexiona sobre cómo el documento “Al servicio de un mundo herido en solidaridad interreligiosa: Un llamado cristiano a la reflexión y a la acción durante la COVID-19 y más allá” está siendo recibido como un llamado esperanzador a promover la colaboración ecuménica e interreligiosa. El Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) y el Pontificio Consejo para el Diálogo Interreligioso han publicado “Al servicio de un mundo herido” para alentar a las iglesias y las organizaciones cristianas a reflexionar sobre la importancia de la solidaridad interreligiosa en un mundo golpeado por la pandemia de COVID-19.

In Argentina, “Serving a Wounded World” is a hopeful call to collaborate

Prof. Dr h.c. Humberto Martin Shikiya, vice president of the Regional Ecumenical Advisory and Service Center (CREAS) In Argentina, reflects on how Serving a Wounded World in Interreligious Solidarity: A Christian Call to Reflection and Action During COVID-19 and Beyond” is being received as a hopeful call to collaborate ecumenically and interreligiously. The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue jointly published Serving a Wounded World” to encourage churches and Christian organizations to reflect on the importance of interreligious solidarity in a world wounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hoping against hope

The same week Brazil reached half a million deaths by COVID-19, my parents got the first dose of the vaccine. On my way to work, I pass through a vaccination post full of people, and through a cemetery full of grief. The past year and few months were a mix of fear, indignation and anger for me. But also a time where I saw generosity and hope bloom.

Indigenous peoples and the pandemic in the land of inequalities

476 million indigenous people live around the world, of which 11.5% live in our Latin American region. In these years that we are going from the COVID 19 pandemic in our territories (indigenous or tribal at the Latin American level), the presence of many extractive companies, mainly uranium and lithium, has increased, land traffickers and among other monoculture companies with fires for the cultivation of oil palm, logging, putting vulnerable peoples at greater risk than what is already experienced.

Less COVID-19 cases, more “hope cases”

The Uruguayan Council of Christian Churches (CICU, by its Spanish acronym), the only ecumenical organization in the country, hosted an online gathering during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It took place last 26 May at 7:30pm (local time) via Zoom. I had the immense joy of participating as a Catholic communicator, currently serving as correspondent for SIGNIS ALC (Latin-American and Caribbean Association of Catholic Communication) and as vice president of SIGNIS Uruguay (the Uruguayan Association of Catholic Communicators).

Week of Prayer brings fruits of the Spirit despite COVID-19

Prayer is a powerful way to be united as Christians from all over the world. Every year my church community in Cuba joins the celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with daily devotions and a special worship service, usually on Sundays. Being connected in the same prayerful spirit around a common text that turns into so many testimonies of faith is truly a gift of the Spirit and an ecumenical commitment.

An exercise in hoping

I’m writing this text exactly one year after Brazil declared quarantine, on 16 March. Last year we went into quarantine thinking it would only be two weeks at home, and maybe a few months of wearing masks and sanitizing our hands. I’m the first to confess that I’ve underestimated the virus. However, we all know that is not how it went. Month after month went by - the internet joked about how could it possibly be August already, when last week was March?

The COVID-19 pandemic and community life: reflections and challenges

The Greek word Koinonia, which Paul especially uses in the New Testament, translates as community, communion, union, fellowship, participation, among other meanings. The term "solidarity" expresses the meaning of Koinonia. The community based on solidarity seeks peace, justice, well-being, the Shalom of the people. The word "coexistence" can also be equivalent of Koinonia, because it means to live in unity for several generations under the same roof or house. The "coexistence" leads us to take care of the integrity of creation, to recognize that we are not the only inhabitants of this house.

La Semana de oración por la unidad cristiana en imágenes

Este año, las oraciones por la unidad han adoptado una forma diferente, pero han podido tener lugar a pesar de las limitaciones generalizadas a la hora de celebrar las reuniones presenciales. Las imágenes de estas celebraciones en todo el mundo transmiten la riqueza espiritual de una familia ecuménica que se ha reunido en la oración mediante tarjetas de oración, reflexiones personales, encuentros en línea y nuevas formas de conectarse.

En images: Semaine de prière pour l’unité chrétienne

Les prières pour l’unité ont pris une autre allure cette année, mais elles n’ont pas été arrêtées par les restrictions généralisées sur les rassemblements en face à face. Des cartes de prières aux réflexions personnelles, des rassemblements en ligne aux nouvelles connexions, les images illustrent dans le monde entier la richesse spirituelle d’une famille œcuménique qui s’est réunie dans la prière.

In Bildern: Gebetswoche für die Einheit der Christen

Die Gebete für die Einheit sahen dieses Jahr etwas anders aus und fühlten sich auch anders an, doch konnten ihnen die verbreiteten Einschränkungen von persönlichen Versammlungen nichts anhaben. Von Gebetsbildern über persönliche Besinnungen und von Online-Versammlungen zu neuen Verbindungen: Die Bilder aus der ganzen Welt zeugen von einem spirituellen Reichtum einer ökumenischen Familie, die sich im gemeinsamen Gebet vereinte.

In pictures: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Prayers for unity took on a different look and feel this year, but they weren’t stopped by widespread restrictions on face-to-face gatherings. From prayer cards to personal reflections, online gatherings to new connections, the images worldwide convey the spiritual richness of an ecumenical family that came together in prayer.