The 9th Assembly of World Council of Churches (WCC) in Brazil
- Report by Church of Nigeria delegates.
· Christians urged to embrace justice, unity and tolerance
CONN/280406
Delegates from member Churches of the World Council of Churches across the globe, gathered at Port Alegre – Brazil in February 2006 for the 9th Assembly of the WCC.
The event with the central theme : “God in your Grace, transform the World.” featured several plenary meetings on thematic issues bothering on Economic Justice, Overcoming Violence, Church Unity, Christian Identity and Plurality.
On the issue of economic justice, WCC observed that unjust distribution of wealth, natural resources, and opportunities has generated poverty in many parts of the world, and this is becoming a global concern.
The body therefore called for a total transformation of the economy and urged those managing it to intensify their efforts to alleviate poverty, such that those suffering from the pain of marginalization can live a meaningful life.
WCC advised the International Community, States and Local Councils to eschew violence, racial and ethnic sentiments as this is the only way to ensure a stable economy and peaceful polity.
The Assembly also advocated for a visible unity of the Church which is a true reflection of the unity of the Triune God. The delegates maintained that relationships among churches should be dynamically interactive where there will be mutual giving, receiving and accountability.
Delivering his lecture on “Christian Integrity and Religious Plurality” the Archbishop of the Canterbury, The Most Revd. Dr. Rowan Williams called upon the church to redefine its identity and missionary vocation in the midst of religious plurality.
He emphasized that dialogue has become an essential and committed way by which people can live their diversities meaningfully and coherently as humanity in one world created by God.
According to the Anglican prelate, dialogue helps us to understand the ‘otherness’ of the other who is no longer a stranger, but a neighbour. “Globalization has transformed the dialogue with strangers to dialogue with neighbours”, he said.
Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) delegates to the conference included: The Most Revd. Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon (Archbishop, Kaduna Province), The Rt. Revd. Duke Akimisoko ( Bishop, Diocese of Zonkwa), The Ven. Dr. John Olusola Igbari (Director, Inter-Anglican Global Relations, Ecumenical & Inter-faith Dialogue - Church of Nigeria), Dr. Mrs. Bridget Birabi (Women Representative), and Emmanuel Olusegun Akinola – Student (Youth Representative).
