Pope Benedict XVI and other religious leaders gathered in Assisi
Pope Benedict XVI and other religious leaders gathered in Assisi (Oct. 27, 2011). Credit: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

Churches seek peace and justice through dialogue in Assisi

 — Oct. 27, 201127 oct. 2011
WCC News

At an interfaith gathering in Assisi, called by Pope Benedict XVI, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said, “The cross is not for crusades but a sign of God’s love embracing everybody.” He praised the role of “young change-makers” in pursuit of peace and called faith leaders to engage in dialogue by addressing conflicts and accepting “the other.”

Tveit was speaking on a “Day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world” on 27 October, an interfaith meeting called by the pope titled “Pilgrims of truth, pilgrims of peace.”

The event brought religious leaders from diverse backgrounds, and is a continuation of a tradition initiated by Pope John Paul II, who held this meeting in the town of Assisi 25 years ago.

Following the example of Francis of Assisi, Tveit highlighted the role of “young change-makers.”

“Francis was a young man when he surrendered his life to God. His passion for the goodness of creation and example of radical daring for peace show the significance of faith and the courage of young people,” he added.

“Peace in the world requires the perspectives and the contributions of young people. A great obstacle to a just peace today is the high level of unemployment among young people all over the world. We need the vision and the courage of young people for the necessary changes, as we see how they lead processes of democratization and peace in many countries today.”

Representing the 349 member churches of the WCC, Tveit stressed the need for a “safe space” for all religions to engage in a dialogue, while not shying away from addressing the conflict.

“People are suffering due to clashes of interests as a consequence, since conflicts around Jerusalem are not solved. This city, holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims, is a visible symbol of our longing, our highest desires, our love of beauty and our desire to worship God. But it is also a powerful reminder of how this best can also go wrong.”

Tveit goes on to say, “Let us as religious leaders pray for justice and peace for Jerusalem and for all who live there. In a mysterious way, Jerusalem does not simply unveil these realities about the human condition but also challenges us at the same time to address them.”

Tveit was accompanied by Clare Amos, WCC programme executive for the Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation, who considers Assisi a significant event with a potential for dialogue contributing to peace and justice in the world.

“It is very good that this gathering is seen as a pilgrimage. We come together here sharing a pilgrim spirit of humility, and like all pilgrims we travel in the hope that we will transformed through our journey, and that we will eventually return to our everyday situations with renewed vision and determination to work for both truth and peace,” said Amos.

Read also:
• Full text of WCC general secretary’s speech at Assisi, 27 October 2011
• Address of Pope Benedict XVI at Assisi, 27 October 2011
• No peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness, reflection by Clare Amos, the World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive for Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

Posted: Oct. 27, 2011 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=1819
Categories: WCC News Transmis : 27 oct. 2011 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=1819
Catégorie : WCC News


  Previous post: Ancien article : Can Faith Communities Change the Climate?
  Newer post: Article récent : US Episcopal Church rejects Anglican Covenant