Churches Called to Fulfill their Role toward “Inclusive Justice”

Colombian Bishop Martinez Preaches at Opening Service of LWF Regional Pre-Assembly

BOGOTÁ, Colombia/GENEVA, 13 April 2010 (LWI) – Colombian Lutheran Bishop Eduardo Martinez has reminded representatives of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches in Latin America and the Caribbean of their responsibility in building an equal society that provides inclusiveness in a continent demanding justice and equality.

“It’s a table of equality that we need to strive for,” said Martinez in his sermon at the opening worship of the 12-16 April LWF Pre-Assembly Consultation and Church Leadership Conference for the Latin America and Caribbean region. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia (IELCO) is hosting the pre-assembly attended by some 50 participants, including 26 delegates from the 16 LWF member churches in the region, representatives from mission partners, ecumenical guests and LWF staff.

“We have been told that in our society there will always be poor and rich people. That it is something normal, a natural condition, and that the rich are rich because they work and that the poor are poor because they are lazy, don’t want to work and always spend whatever savings they might have,” said the IELCO bishop in his sermon based on Luke 14:12-13. “But the truth is that the poor are not invited to enjoy the abundance of bread that our society has. … This thinking has to change,” he added.

Participants in the pre-assembly, convened to prepare delegates for participation in the July 2010 LWF Eleventh Assembly in Germany, deliberate on the assembly theme, “Give Us Today Our Daily Bread,” and on LWF’s work since the last assembly. The delegates meeting in Bogota brought bread from their home countries to share at the meeting.

On a continent where a great number of people are poor, a “road of hope” and sharing is an opportunity to transform the region into a continent that demands “justice and equality” and “food for everyone,” while correcting injustices going back to the Spanish colonial era, said Martinez.

With the bread from the various countries on a table before the altar at the opening worship, Rev. Martin Junge, LWF area secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, said, “This ceremony, full of symbolism, encourages the act of sharing, but it also reminds us that there are many in the world that are left hungry.” Junge, who will become LWF general secretary later this year, said “this is something that we as Christians are required to change and overcome.”

LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko told the pre-assembly gathering, “It is our duty as an organization and as a church to open doors for everyone. We have to ensure that all, including women, young people, and other groups are also part of what we are trying to do.

“We have to put our theory into real practice. After all, we are all created equal, that is what we live by and live for,” he said.

In the Latin American and Caribbean region, the LWF has member churches and recognized congregations in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.

The pre-assembly continues in plenary and small group sessions. (538 words)

Journey | Latin America/Caribbean Pre-Assembly Consultation

13.04.2010

Churches Called to Fulfill their Role toward “Inclusive Justice”

Colombian Bishop Martinez Preaches at Opening Service of LWF Regional Pre-Assembly

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