Month: May 2022

Two nations, three cities, eight discourses, three homilies, and meetings with civil and ecclesial authorities, young people, displaced persons, and victims of violence.

An intense programme with few moments of rest awaits the Pope as he travels, from 2 to 7 July, to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, where – fulfilling a wish expressed years ago – is due to undertake an “Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace”, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields.

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Abuom offered two presentations, the first on 27 May as part of a panel with titled “The love of Christ moves, reconciles and unites the world,” and the second on 28 May as part of a service with the theme “Celebrating with Global Ecumenism.”

Abuom reflected on how the theme of the WCC 11th Assembly, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity,” is intertwined with the Katholikentag theme.

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The 2022 regional focus of the WCC Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace in 2022 is Europe. The visit is facilitated by the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe and hosted by Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy. 

The WCC delegation is led by Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the WCC central committee, and Torsten Moritz, general secretary of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe. 

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Synodality has been taking root in the Church in Latin America for some time, embracing “a correct interpretation” of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council that implies “learning anew how to walk together” in the face of epochal changes in society.

At the same time, Pope Francis told the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, “we have to be aware of our limitation in order to be able to mature and bear evangelical fruit” on this synodal path.

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Nineteen children and two adults were killed in the latest tragic incident, most of them at an elementary school in Texas. 

“And again, it is on behalf of our worldwide fellowship of churches that I offer our sincere condolences to people and churches in the US,” wrote Sauca. “Yesterday’s gun violence and the loss of life are horrific reminders of how people on earth fall short of the will of our just and loving God.”

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Referring to the motto of the Katholikentag, the Pope noted how God has “breathed his breath of life into humanity,” and in Jesus this “sharing of life” of God reaches its “unsurpassable apex” as “he shares our earthly life to enable us to participate in his divine life.”

We are also called to follow Jesus’ example in caring for the poor and suffering, as we are today close to the people of Ukraine and all those who are threatened by violence, the Pope pointed out, calling on us all to implore God’s peace on all people.

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In a “Litany of Lamentation,” the women—all in positions of ecclesiastic authority—expressed grief that the sins of patriarchy and sexism continue to distort the world. 

“We lament the suffering of women and girls perpetrated under the oppressive system of patriarchy upheld by religion and culture,” their lamentation reads. “Where is there justice today for women who daily live in fear that they are at risk of being raped by those they trust?”

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Photo: WCC