Writen by
sadataley
11:52 AM
-
0
Comments
World Council of Churches ISSUES IN THIS WEEK
SOUTH SUDAN PRESIDENT EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR CHURCHES’ CONTRIBUTION TO THE NEW NATION
South Sudan president Salva Kiir Mayardit emphasized the strong potential of churches in helping to develop their new country. His comments came during a conversation with the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, who visited Friday, 25 April in the capital city, Juba, where Tveit also visited with the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC).
South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011 following a referendum mandated by the 2006 peace pact that ended Africa’s longest-running civil war. The WCC was deeply engaged in the peace process.
During the meeting Kiir expressed his appreciation for Christian organizations, saying that they “always played an important role in providing humanitarian assistance in the times of conflict.” He mentioned different projects including Christian hospitals and emergency responses that continued to run during the time of conflict.
“After the independence of South Sudan, it is the churches who have the capability to bring people together and help rebuild the country,”said Kiir.
“South Sudan is a state where all religious communities, including Christians, can work freely, and their contributions for the social betterment regardless of their religious associations, are welcomed,” he added.
Tveit told President Kiir, “We are committed to continue work with churches for justice and peace in the new South Sudan. The confidence in the churches and their leaders is a great asset for the healing and peace in the country and its people.”
Noting the challenges facing the peoples and churches of Sudan and South Sudan, Tveit said, “Continuing with their legacy, Sudanese churches must carry on their struggles for peace in their countries despite the separation. The churches are carrying values of human rights, democracy and reconciliation. We strongly support such processes, and we keep them in our prayers.”
The hopes of the WCC are to accompany churches in Sudan working to overcome the impact of the conflict and supporting their efforts towards lasting peace, Tveit said.
“The concept of just peace situated at the heart of the global church becomes even more significant in the context of South Sudan. Here the challenge of balancing justice with peace means, for the churches, helping build a new life for communities following a long and tenacious history of conflict,” Tveit said.
During his stay in Juba, Tveit met with a group of Sudanese church leaders led by Rev. Mark Akec Cien, SCC's acting general secretar. The group, included Bishop Michael Taban Toro, SCC's chairperson, SCC's ecumenical relations officer Rev. Emmanuel Natania, Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro and Rev. Dr Daniel Deng Bul.
Speaking to the SCC staff and board members, he affirmed the great significance of the work of the council of churches in South Sudan.
Staff of ACT Alliance based in South Sudan participated in the meeting. Anne Masterson, country representative of ACT member Norwegian Church Aid shared with the general secretary about their programmes for peace building, emergency response and community projects in the country.
PALM SUNDAY SHADOWED BY KIDNAPPING OF ALEPPO CHURCH LEADERS
For the first time in their history, the patriarch of the Antiochian Orthodox Church has asked the believers to adorn the traditional Palm Sunday processions with black ribbons tied on candles rather than the usual white ribbons expressing their sadness because of the two abducted church leaders from Aleppo, Syria.
It is also a symbolic action, meaning that this year’s Easter in the region approaches “at a time when we are being surrounded by much pain and suffering”.
On Monday, 22 April, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Paul Yazigi of Aleppo and Alexandretta and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim of Aleppo were kidnapped en route to Aleppo by unknown assailants after returning from a humanitarian mission near the Turkish border region. Their driver, Fatha’ Allah Kabboud, a deacon in the Syriac Orthodox Church, was killed in the incident.
In a pastoral letter issued Saturday, H.B. John X, the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, said “let our processions be this year with candles tied with black ribbons, chanting the hymn: ‘To Thee O Champion Leader…,’ instead of the hymn ‘Rejoice O Bethany.’”
For Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches around the world Palm Sunday this year is recognized on Sunday, 28 April with the following Sunday, 5 May being Easter Sunday. Protestant and Roman Catholic churches celebrated Easter on 31 March.
“Since we are the children of the Resurrection, we are not afraid of whoever takes violence as a way to achieve his purpose,” John X wrote in the letter. “To be killed, or kidnapped, or to have our institutions destroyed, will not change our resolve to uphold our civil life and our co-existence; to cling to our homeland and to seek the reign of justice and rights in our homelands.”
In his letter John X urged the international community to do everything it can to find and release the two archbishops. He also called for a quick solution to the conflict in Syria.
“There is no news about the kidnapping from the churches in the region,” Michel Nseir, WCC programme executive for the Middle East said Saturday. “We are in permanent contact with them, and we continue to pray that our two Archbishops will be released.”
Toward the end of his letter John X wrote, “In this time, let us exceptionally intensify our prayers and supplications. Just as our Lord was not afraid to walk the path of Calvary; in the same way we are invited to walk with Him along this path.”
SUDANESE CHURCHES AN
IMPORTANT VOICE IN REBUILDING NATION
In his meeting with the Sudanese minister Alfatih T. Abdallah, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit stressed the important role of Sudanese churches in rebuilding their nation after years of conflict, along with the assurance of their religious freedoms.
ECUMENICAL COMMUNITY OFFERS PRAYER FOR MISSING ARCHBISHOPS
Two Christian bishops from Aleppo, Syria, were supported in prayer at a special service in the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre, home of the World Council of Churches, in Geneva on Thursday, 25 April.
GREEK AND SYRIAC PATRIARCHS ISSUE JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON ALEPPO CHURCH LEADERS’ KIDNAPPING
As the uncertainty of the whereabouts of two Syrian church leaders kidnapped in Syria on Monday continued Wednesday, the patriarchs of the Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox churches have issued a joint communique calling on churches around the world to “stand fast in the face of what is going on and witness to their faith in the power of love in this world.”
WCC GENERAL SECRETARY CONDEMNS KIDNAPPING OF SYRIAN CHURCH LEADERS
The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, has strongly condemned the abduction of two Syrian archbishops who were kidnapped yesterday near Aleppo in Syria.
CARIBBEAN CHURCHES REFLECT ON NEW DIRECTIONS FOR DIACONAL WORK
“Diakonia must be done through action, social services, advocacy and challenging systems and structures that create injustice and dehumanization of people,” said Rev. Dr Paul Gardner of Jamaica at a seminar in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which included a visit by the president of Haiti.
WCC GENERAL SECRETARY AND EGYPT'S GRAND MUFTI PROMOTE DIALOGUE FOR PEACEFUL RELATIONS
The WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit met with Egypt's Grand Mufti Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim in Cairo. In their meeting the religious leaders engaged in in-depth dialogue to promote peaceful relations among diverse communities and values for equal citizenship.
In his meeting with the Sudanese minister Alfatih T. Abdallah, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit stressed the important role of Sudanese churches in rebuilding their nation after years of conflict, along with the assurance of their religious freedoms.
ECUMENICAL COMMUNITY OFFERS PRAYER FOR MISSING ARCHBISHOPS
Two Christian bishops from Aleppo, Syria, were supported in prayer at a special service in the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre, home of the World Council of Churches, in Geneva on Thursday, 25 April.
GREEK AND SYRIAC PATRIARCHS ISSUE JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON ALEPPO CHURCH LEADERS’ KIDNAPPING
As the uncertainty of the whereabouts of two Syrian church leaders kidnapped in Syria on Monday continued Wednesday, the patriarchs of the Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox churches have issued a joint communique calling on churches around the world to “stand fast in the face of what is going on and witness to their faith in the power of love in this world.”
WCC GENERAL SECRETARY CONDEMNS KIDNAPPING OF SYRIAN CHURCH LEADERS
The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, has strongly condemned the abduction of two Syrian archbishops who were kidnapped yesterday near Aleppo in Syria.
CARIBBEAN CHURCHES REFLECT ON NEW DIRECTIONS FOR DIACONAL WORK
“Diakonia must be done through action, social services, advocacy and challenging systems and structures that create injustice and dehumanization of people,” said Rev. Dr Paul Gardner of Jamaica at a seminar in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which included a visit by the president of Haiti.
WCC GENERAL SECRETARY AND EGYPT'S GRAND MUFTI PROMOTE DIALOGUE FOR PEACEFUL RELATIONS
The WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit met with Egypt's Grand Mufti Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim in Cairo. In their meeting the religious leaders engaged in in-depth dialogue to promote peaceful relations among diverse communities and values for equal citizenship.
EGYPTIAN YOUTH OFFERS HOPE TO THE WORLD
“The eyes of the world are looking towards Egyptian youth, who are capable of changing the future of their country by offering hope and inspiration to the world. We keep them in our prayers,” said Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC.
WCC AND PARTNERS STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIP IN ADVANCE OF ASSEMBLY
The upcoming 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) is not only a pivotal moment in the life of the WCC global fellowship of 345 member churches but also a defining moment for the WCC and its programmatic and financial partners or "specialized ministries."
GENERAL SECRETARY AND POPE TAWADROS II DISCUSS HOPES FOR CHURCH IN EGYPT
WCC general secretary Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit met in Egypt on Sunday, 21 April, with Pope Tawadros II, Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, discussing post-revolution developments in Egypt, the situation of Christians in the Arab world and ways to strengthen Christian-Muslim relations.
ECUMENICAL COMMUNITY OFFERS PRAYER FOR MISSING ARCHBISHOPS
Two Christian bishops from Aleppo, Syria, were supported in prayer at a special service in the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on Thursday, 25 April.
The two archbishops reportedly were kidnapped, and a deacon driving them was killed, while they were undertaking a joint humanitarian mission near the Turkish border north of Aleppo on Monday, 22 April.
The two abducted church leaders are the Syriac Orthodox archbishop of Aleppo, Yohanna Ibrahim, and the Greek Orthodox archbishop of Aleppo, Paul Yazigi. The murdered driver has been identified as Fatha’ Allah Kabboud, a deacon in the Syriac Orthodox Church.
The Syrian government and anti-government rebels have accused one another of these crimes, but no group has claimed responsibility.
The prayer service in Geneva was led by Romanian and Russian Orthodox priests and introduced by Yorgo Lemopoulos, deputy general secretary of the World Council of Churches.
The congregation was made up of persons representing a wide variety of nationalities, churches and Geneva-based organizations.
In addition to prayers for the archbishops and their flocks, intercessions were offered for “the liberation of all clergy and people who are held captive in Syria and in other parts of the world.”
A chanted Aramaic refrain used throughout the service, “Moran ethra hama’lain” – “Lord, have mercy upon us” – was sung in a version attributed to Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim.
SUDANESE CHURCHES AN
IMPORTANT VOICE IN REBUILDING NATION
In his meeting with the Sudanese minister Alfatih T. Abdallah, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit stressed the important role of Sudanese churches in rebuilding their nation after years of conflict, along with the assurance of their religious freedoms.
Tveit was in Khartoum from 23 to 24 April, visiting church leaders and government officials at the invitation of the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC), headquartered there.
The visit is Tveit’s first to Khartoum since the separation of Sudan and South Sudan in 2011, implementing their peace agreement of 2005.
“Sudanese churches belong genuinely to the country,” said Tveit. “Christians here are citizens of Sudan and therefore have an important role in assisting the rebuilding of their nation.
“We support churches in their struggles and aspirations for peace. We affirm our hope in the government to accomplish its responsibility in protecting churches and Christians and ensuring their security,” he added.
Abdallah, Sudanese minister for guidance and endowment, affirmed this stance. “Sudan needs churches to rebuild the society after a long history of conflict. Their right to worship and conduct their activities is a guarantee in constitution of the country,” he said.
The minister promised further interaction with the churches. “We hope to hold regular meetings with the churches to address the problems and building of trust and dialogue,” said Abdallah.
In his response to the minister, Tveit said, “There will always be religious minorities and majorities in any country. However, it is regardless of these dynamics that all actors of the society, including the churches, should be working together for the rebuilding of peace in Sudan.”
In Khartoum, Tveit was introduced to the issue of limited permits for building of churches, which he raised as a concern to be addressed during his meeting with Abdallah.
Referring to the restructuring of the SCC across the Sudan and South Sudan borders, Tveit said that “This is an extremely important step and a sign towards the immense need of unity among Sudanese churches. The gospel is the ministry of the church, and it is through our witness that the cross will be seen amidst the challenges that come with creation of a new country.”
Tveit met with the Sudanese church leaders at the All Saints Cathedral in Khartoum. He met with, among others, Father Anthonio, chairman of the SCC, Abdalla Ali, acting general secretary of the SCC, and Bishop Ezekiel Kondo from the Episcopal Church in Sudan. On 25 April, Tveit was in Juba, South Sudan meeting with church and government leaders.
In his meeting with the Sudanese minister Alfatih T. Abdallah, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit stressed the important role of Sudanese churches in rebuilding their nation after years of conflict, along with the assurance of their religious freedoms.
Tveit was in Khartoum from 23 to 24 April, visiting church leaders and government officials at the invitation of the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC), headquartered there.
The visit is Tveit’s first to Khartoum since the separation of Sudan and South Sudan in 2011, implementing their peace agreement of 2005.
“Sudanese churches belong genuinely to the country,” said Tveit. “Christians here are citizens of Sudan and therefore have an important role in assisting the rebuilding of their nation.
“We support churches in their struggles and aspirations for peace. We affirm our hope in the government to accomplish its responsibility in protecting churches and Christians and ensuring their security,” he added.
Abdallah, Sudanese minister for guidance and endowment, affirmed this stance. “Sudan needs churches to rebuild the society after a long history of conflict. Their right to worship and conduct their activities is a guarantee in constitution of the country,” he said.
The minister promised further interaction with the churches. “We hope to hold regular meetings with the churches to address the problems and building of trust and dialogue,” said Abdallah.
In his response to the minister, Tveit said, “There will always be religious minorities and majorities in any country. However, it is regardless of these dynamics that all actors of the society, including the churches, should be working together for the rebuilding of peace in Sudan.”
In Khartoum, Tveit was introduced to the issue of limited permits for building of churches, which he raised as a concern to be addressed during his meeting with Abdallah.
Referring to the restructuring of the SCC across the Sudan and South Sudan borders, Tveit said that “This is an extremely important step and a sign towards the immense need of unity among Sudanese churches. The gospel is the ministry of the church, and it is through our witness that the cross will be seen amidst the challenges that come with creation of a new country.”
Tveit met with the Sudanese church leaders at the All Saints Cathedral in Khartoum. He met with, among others, Father Anthonio, chairman of the SCC, Abdalla Ali, acting general secretary of the SCC, and Bishop Ezekiel Kondo from the Episcopal Church in Sudan. On 25 April, Tveit was in Juba, South Sudan meeting with church and government leaders.
No comments
Post a Comment