WCC NEWS: UN Working Group on People of African Descent: “The church is accountable to all persons irrespective of their racial identity”

In a video greeting at the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly on 5 September, Catherine Namakula, chairperson of the UN Working Group on People of African Descent, commended the work the two organizations have done together—and called churches to the tasks ahead of them in combatting racism. 6 September 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: Dr Catherine S. Namakula, Chair Rapporteur of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent of the Human Rights Council (WGEPAD) shares video greetings to the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, held in Karlsruhe, Germany from 31 August to 8 September, under the theme "Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity." Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 06 September 2022 “The World Council of Churches and the UN work closely together on combatting racism,” said  Namakula. “We are very grateful for the many years of fruitful cooperation between the working group and the World Council of Churches.” But moving forward means fully acknowledging the past, she added. “The church was established to be and is indeed a transformative agent,” she said. “The history of the church of profiteering from the enslavement of Africans, colonialism, and racial segregation is documented.” Despite churches’ attempts to dehumanize Black people, “people of African descent continually seek solace from the church and from religion,” said Namakula. “The Lord has equally called them to build his kingdom here on earth.” As a result the church is growing among persons of African descent, she said. “Inside the walls of the church, however, have been many controversies.” She concluded by asking churches to address racial discrimination in Sunday schools for children, decolonize liturgies, and strengthen their witness against racism and racial discrimination in other ways. “The church is accountable to all persons irrespective of their racial identity,” concluded Namakula. Greetings video at the Thematic Plenary Livestream of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany Photos of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany See more

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 acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  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