Conference forges interreligious alliances in work for world peace

“Churches commit to peace action as historic convocation closes” Ekklesia May 25, 2011

Participants at the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) [May 17–25] have released a message expressing their unified experience of a week-long exploration of a just peace.

Their commitment is to navigate a path forward in implementing what they have discussed and discovered, as they return to their homes and churches across the world.

The message states: “With partners of other faiths, we have recognized that peace is a core value in all religions, and the promise of peace extends to all people regardless of their traditions and commitments. Through intensified interreligious dialogue we seek common ground with all world religions.”

The participants acknowledged that each church and each religion brings with it a different standpoint from which to begin walking toward a just peace. Some begin from a standpoint of personal conversion and morality. Others stress the need to focus on mutual support and correction within the body of Christ, while still others encourage churches’ commitment to broad social movements and the public witness of the church.

“Each approach has merit,” the message, which was crafted by a seven-member message committee chaired by Bishop Ivan Abrahams of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, states. “They are not mutually exclusive. In fact they belong inseparably together. Even in our diversity we can speak with one voice.”

Abrahams said he trusts that IEPC participants will find their voices in the message. “In many ways, this convocation is a milestone in the march toward just peace,” he said. “The words ‘reaping’ and ‘harvesting’ have been intrinsic to the life of this convocation.”

The message also acknowledged that the church has often obstructed the path toward just peace. “We realize that Christians have often been complicit in systems of violence, injustice, militarism, racism, casteism, intolerance, and discrimination. We ask God to forgive our sins, and to transform us as agents of righteousness and advocates of just peace.”

The message continued to address the four themes of the convocation: peace in the community, peace with the earth, peace in the marketplace, and peace among the peoples, allowing for specific emphasis on each theme and how they complement the ethical and theological approach to the pursuit of just peace.

The IEPC message captures only part of a truly historic event, said the Rev. Dr. Walter Altmann, Moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee, as he received the IEPC message on behalf of the WCC.

“You take with you much more than a text; you take with you a profound ecumenical experience,” he said. “The complexity of the issues we have addressed will certainly require further work, reflection, and action.” . . .

More than 60 of some 1,000 IEPC participants commented on a draft message, and their input was taken into account as the final message was crafted. . . .

The participation of some 95 youth in the IEPC was also acknowledged during the closing of the event. Sanna Eriksson, representing the Church of Sweden, spoke on behalf of the young IEPC participants who planned activities and had highly visible participation throughout the convocation.

“We rejoice that young people participated in this meeting in a wide variety of roles,” she said. “We thank those churches and organizations who sent young people as their representatives.”

The IEPC message also expressed profound gratefulness to its hosts in Jamaica and the entire Caribbean region. . . .

The final message may be complete but the work of the IEPC is only beginning, said Professor Dr. Fernando Enns, a Mennonite, who was moderator of the preparatory committee for the IEPC.

“We are only beginning to grasp the possibilities we have when we really respect one another.” . . . IEPC participants should celebrate their experience, he said, but should not rest satisfied. “Our journey must continue,” he said.

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