Thursday, March 28, 2024

WCC NEWS: WCC expresses deep concern for human rights in Haiti

With an intervention delivered by Max Weber, a student at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, the World Council of Churches expressed deep concern for human rights in Haiti

Max Weber, student of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, United Nations, Geneva, March 2024, Photo: WCC
28 March 2024

The intervention—cosigned by the Dominicans, Dominican Leadership Conference, and Congregation of St Joseph and Passionists International—was read before the UN Human Rights Council.

Hospitals are overwhelmed by the number of victims of gunshot wounds, and over 360,000 have become internally displaced,” reads the intervention. Half of these are children.”

The intervention notes that access to guns is reportedly far greater than access to food, clean water, and medicine. Livelihoods are disrupted, children cannot go to school, some pastors have been kidnapped during church services, and churches are now closed,” the text reads. The gangs have restricted everyones movements and control the ports and the roads.”

Many public offices and houses have been destroyed, the intervention further notes.

We urge the Human Rights Council to call for an international presence in Haiti to bring safety to the people in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian standards,” reads the text. We call upon the international community to take all possible measures to support the formation and implementation of a Haitian transitional council.”

The intervention concludes: All sectors of society, including churches, must be heard and their messages incorporated into an inclusive Haitian-led peace process which is critically needed to bring to an end the cycle of violence and to build a democratic society based on the respect for human rights.”
 

Watch here the session during which Max Weber, is delivering the WCC statement at the United Nations, Geneva

Learn more about the WCC work on "Human dignity and rights"

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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 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press
Our visiting address is:
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150 route de Ferney
Geneve 2 1211
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Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Living into Right Relations: March 2024


Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice News from
The United Church of Canada

Have you heard of the First Nations Version (FNV)?

 
First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament

Early on the first day of the week, Strong Tears (Mary) from Tower of Creator’s High Lodge (Magdala) came to the burial cave early in the morning while it was still dark.  When she saw the stone had been removed from the burial cave, she ran to find Stands on the Rock (Peter) and He Shows Goodwill (John), the much-loved follower of Creator Sets Free (Jesus).
              John 20:1-2, FNV
 
In 2021, a group of Indigenous clergy, scholars, church leaders and members, published a new translation of the New Testament, called the FNV or First Nations Version. The group consists of individuals from a range of denominations and Indigenous nations in both Canada and the United States. As the quotation above from the Gospel of John reveals, the FNV is not a literal translation of the New Testament but a “thought-for thought translation, sometimes referred to as dynamic equivalence” [1] as the Indigenous group explains in an introduction to the text. They make an effort to write with a story-telling cadence, familiar to Indigenous readers. Throughout the translation, insertions may be found that help elucidate the text (such as by the bracketed inclusion of more familiar Biblical names) but also to provide contextualized information for Indigenous readers, such as may be found in other Bible translations that employ headings, footnotes, and marginal notes to aid the reader. There’s even a very brief summary of the Old Testament written in similar style to the main translation which is included as a prologue. Importantly, the authors emphasize that the FNV is not only commended to the use of Indigenous Christians but to all members of the Christian community who they hope will find the FNV insightful and enlightening in their own study of holy scripture.

 [1] First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament, Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL 2023, p.ix
[Photo credit: James Ransom]

Decolonizing the Biblical Narrative – An Australian Perspective

 
De-Colonising the Biblical Narrative Book Cover
 
Another approach to interpreting scripture for Indigenous peoples comes from Australia. Anne Pattel-Gray a First Nations scholar and “Uncle” Norm Habel, a settler Old Testament scholar have collaborated on a three volume look at Genesis and Exodus. Their work unpacks and reveals how Biblical translation itself has been subjected to colonizing forces over the two millennia since the original texts were written. They ask deep and difficult questions about how we typically have understood God the Creator as revealed in these first books of the Old Testament. They seek, particularly for Indigenous readers, to remove those colonized perspectives that obscure the original texts. Above all they encourage all readers to reflect on and be mindful of how processes of translation and interpretation themselves must be critiqued and inherent biases in these processes challenged and corrected.

[Photo credit: James Ransom]

Learning about Indigenous Perspectives on Landscaping

 
35 people attending a ceremony led by Elder Larry McDermott on the lawn of Almonte United Church, Ontario
 
On Saturday August 5, 2023, a beautiful sunny day, 35 people attended ceremony led by Elder Larry McDermott on the lawn of Almonte United Church, Ontario. The group moved into the church to learn about local Indigenous people’s relationship with the land.  Algonquin landscaper Chris Craig shared his experience of caring for the land and the significance of various plants. Elder Larry complemented this presentation with teachings about the spiritual connection Indigenous people have with the land. 
 
10 church members went to the park to plant under the direction of Sarah Craig, Chris’s daughter, who is an Indigenous landscaper.

After lunch 10 members the group went to the park to plant under the direction of Sarah Craig, Chris’s daughter, who also is an Indigenous landscaper. During this time, Elder Larry distributed tobacco for people to place on the garden in a prayerful way to express thanksgiving for the plants provided by Creator. When the plants bloom in the Spring they will reflect the colours of the medicine wheel: yellow in the east quadrant, red in the south, black in the west and white in the north. They placed a bench nearby so people can sit quietly contemplating the site and beyond to the river. Given the high level of interest in Algonquin teachings, Almonte United Church hopes to follow-up with more learning opportunities for members in the future. This project was supported in part by the Justice and Reconciliation Fund.

By Rev. Mary Royal Duczek, Almonte United Church
 
[Photo credits: The Rev. Mary Duczek]

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WCC News: Communion of Churches in Indonesia condemns torture of civilians in Papua

The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) has issued a statement unequivocally condemning torture against civilians in Papua, following the emergence of videos which appear to show the violent mistreatment of indigenous Papuans by members of Indonesian armed forces.
Lake Santani, West Papua. Photo provided.
27 March 2024

The videos are believed by human rights defenders to have been recorded during an Indonesian security force raid in Omukia and Gome, Puncak Regency, on 3 and 4 February 2024.

“All of us must stand together in solidarity to oppose torture and protect human rights in Papua,” reads the PGI statement. 

According to Peter Prove, WCC Director of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, “these horrific videos offer rare visual evidence of the type of brutality often experienced by Papuans at the hands of Indonesian security forces. It is of the utmost importance that credible impartial investigations of these apparent crimes are undertaken, and the perpetrators held fully accountable.”

The PGI statement also underlined the importance of accountability. “It's crucial that accountability is enforced, impunity prevented, and justice is delivered to the victims,” the statement affirmed. “To avoid such actions in the future, independent monitoring and reporting mechanisms must be strengthened, and law enforcement should be transparent.”

Meanwhile, Indonesian military authorities have confirmed that the videos are genuine, and have detained eight soldiers on suspicion of abusing Papuan civilians. However, as Human Rights Monitor – a non-governmental human rights organization focusing on the situation in West Papua – has observed, “Cases of torture have been rampant in West Papua due to the widespread impunity in the region. Perpetrators are not held accountable in public trials, while the internal court processes, particularly police internal disciplinary procedures, lack transparency and independence. The perpetrators often receive sentences that are disproportionately lenient with regard to the severity of the crime.”

The statement of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) concludes by urging collaboration for the cessation of violence in Papua and realizing Papua as a land of peace. 

Report by the Human Rights Monitor: Videos of Indonesian soldiers torturing Papuan

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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 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press
Our visiting address is:
World Council of Churches
150 route de Ferney
Geneve 2 1211
Switzerland

WCC News: WCC welcomes International Criminal Court policy establishing accountability for environmental crimes

The World Council of Churches (WCC), in a submission to the International Criminal Court (ICC), welcomed a policy establishing accountability for environmental crimes.
Climate activists from the group Extinction Rebellion take to the streets of Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021 under heavy police presence to protest against political inaction on climate change, and to demand climate justice. The protest takes place as Glasgow hosts the United Nations climate change conference COP26, where world leaders gather to negotiate a response to the ongoing climate crisis and emergency. Photo: Albin Hillert/Life on Earth
26 March 2024

The submission is a comment on the Office of the Prosecutor’s environmental crimes policy.

"The ICC was established to end impunity for the most serious crimes,” reads the submission. “Addressing the impunity of those propagating deliberate disinformation on global warming is an essential step to stopping the ongoing expansion of fossil fuels, which is threatening humanity and the living planet.”

The comment follows the WCC’s submission “Climate Change Disinformation: The Need for Legal Development” to the ICC in December 2023.

In the comment, the WCC recommends that two types of criminal acts be addressed under the current Rome Statute as environmental crimes. 

The first is climate disinformation. “Whether the disinformation comes from the fossil fuel company executives, or from those funded and acting on their behalf, it is lethal given the small window of time left to avoid the irreversibility of climate catastrophe,” reads the comment. “The harm to the physical and mental health of children and young people and the threat to their very survival require this recognition.”

The second is financing new fossil fuel extraction and exploitation. “Holding accountable the banks and asset owners that continue financing new fossil fuel extraction and exploitation is a matter of survival for today's children and future generations,” reads the comment. “Maximizing fossil fuel profits regardless of the harm caused to the world's population is the origin of extreme physical and psychological suffering.”

The most significant distress is carried by the world's children, the comment notes. 

“Leaders of the fossil fuel industry and their partners responsible for these crimes must be held accountable,” concludes the comment.

WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay noted that the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 2022, identified climate justice and sustainable development as an important aspect of the WCC’s work. 

“It gives me great joy to know that the WCC is making some very significant climate-related contributions, especially in seeking to secure the future of children who will be most affected in the years to come,” he said. “Caring for the earth—which is the Lord’s, and everything in it (Psalm 24:1)—requires decisive, intentional actions.”

WCC's work on Care for creation and climate justice

WCC's Engagement for Children

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The World Council of Churches' website
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 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press
Our visiting address is:
World Council of Churches
150 route de Ferney
Geneve 2 1211
Switzerland

WCC News: Churches in South Sudan appeal for support during worsening humanitarian crisis

Churches in South Sudan are appealing for humanitarian assistance, amidst fears that the consequences of climate change, macro-economic shocks, and the war in Sudan could sink the country further into the worst humanitarian crisis since independence.
A woman walks through the Protection of Civilians area inside the United Nations base in Malakal, South Sudan. Some 35,000 people live in the camp, protected by UN peacekeeping troops. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth
26 March 2024

The world's youngest nation—of nearly 11 million people—gained independence in 2011, but more than 12 years later, the churches are concerned new emergencies are complicating the work of peace, reconciliation, and healing.

A large part of the population continues to live on relief aid or are in need of it, due to a combination of factors – including insecurity and inter-ethnic violence. More than four million people are displaced, with over two million being internally displaced and 2.2 million being refugees in the neighbouring countries.

“…the security situation is not improving, with increased inter-communal violence resulting in civilian casualties, new displacements, and a very insecure environment for aid workers,” said Rev. James Oyet Latansio, general secretary of the South Sudan Council of Churches. “Beyond the huge logistical challenges, South Sudan continues to be among the most dangerous countries for humanitarian workers, with 34 of them killed in 2023.”

The country’s churches have been reaching millions of citizens with peace building messages and activities, which advocate for healing, forgiveness, reconciliation and give hope to the communities.

The country hopes to hold general elections in December, but while the citizens’ focus is a peaceful transition, election preparedness, and peaceful election for economic stability, church leaders are concerned insecurity may complicate the exercise.

“The church expects local, regional, and international support both technically and financially to support the church in advancing its mission of preaching healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and giving hope,” said the priest.

This year, humanitarian agencies predict that nine million people in South Sudan—54 percent of them children—will require humanitarian assistance. At the peak of the lean season from April-July, over seven million will become severely food insecure.

 “Compounded with the consequences of climate change, macro-economic shocks, and the consequences of the war in Sudan, South Sudan is sinking further into the worst humanitarian crisis since independence,” said Latansio.

Now, flooding linked to the global climate change crisis has triggered fears of serious food shortages in some areas.

“I was in Unity state and Ruweng administrative area. I visited some local churches and there are a lot of fears about lack of food because of the flooding in Unity State. Because of the flood water, many people are in internally displaced person [camps] and economic conditions are not stable in Juba [city],” said Rev. Thomas Tut Puot Mut, moderator of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church said while highlighting inter-communal conflicts in Abyei and Jinglei States.

The most affected are women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, with over 1.4 million children expected to suffer acute malnutrition this year.

Apart from the food shortages, many of children are out of school due to insecurity and the fear of forcefully being recruited as soldiers, according to Catholic Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Yambio – Tombura Diocese.

“This has caused the number of out-of-school children to soar with the majority of these…quickly becoming street children. This…rising numbers of street children, if not addressed immediately, will impact negatively on the country’s security,” said Kussala.

At the same time, the churches are aiding thousands of returnees and refugees ejected by the war in Sudan, through the distribution of food and other basic needs. The country hosts 400,000 refugees, including over 110,000, recent arrivals from Sudan and more than 450,000 who are returning.

WCC member churches in South Sudan

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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 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. 

Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press
Our visiting address is:
World Council of Churches
150 route de Ferney
Geneve 2 1211
Switzerland

WCC NEWS: WCC expresses deep concern for human rights in Haiti

With an intervention delivered by Max Weber, a student at the  Ecumenical Institute at Bossey , the World Council of Churches expressed deep...