WCC NEWS: Southern African church leaders unite in pilgrimage for justice

On 15 June, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Kairos Document and the 1976 Soweto Uprising, church leaders from across denominations and southern African countries embarked on a pilgrimage of reflection, lament, and discernment. Church leaders from across denominations and southern African countries gathered in the Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton, South Africa. Photo: Lyn van Rooyen/WCC 16 June 2025 Journeying from the affluent heart of Sandton to the historic streets of Soweto, this pilgrimage called participants to change in response to God’s call to justice and love. Gathering at the Madiba statue in Nelson Mandela Square, leaders reflected on the symbolism of being “stuck like statues”—trapped in comfort and inaction amid wealth, disconnected from those who are marginalized. The journey by bus to Soweto was in the spirit of Sankofa—retracing steps to understand the past, assess the present, and envision a future rooted in justice. Outside Nelson Mandela’s former home, the group reflected on the values underpinning the struggle for dignity and accountability. They recalled the dangers of being captured by dehumanizing systems and renewed their commitment to resist these forces. At the Hector Pietersen Memorial, commemorating not only his death but that of hundreds of children and youth during protests in South Africa during apartheid, the pilgrimage paused to confront current justice issues facing Africa’s youth. Echoing the biblical call to defend the vulnerable, participants asked what courageous, nonviolent actions God is calling them to for the wellbeing of God’s people. The group continued to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Soweto, where the tragic events of 1976 reminded them of the ongoing need to negotiate with powers that threaten humanity, and they renewed their commitment to strategic, nonviolent Christian activism. Bishop Nkosinathi Myaka, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, welcomed participants to the commemorative worship event at the church of Bishop Manas Buthelezi, a leader in contextual and Black theology, who argued that theology must address the lived realities of those who are oppressed. In her homily, Dr Thandi Gamedze noted the Kairos Document describes theology as “not one thing but a site of struggle,” a “theology borne from lives hanging precariously on the precipice.” She challenged the church to confront how “our Bible, our theology, our church has been complicit in violence.” She reminded listeners that God is a God of justice, calling them to be present where youth face poverty, unemployment, and inequality—to live lives worthy of the sacrifice made in 1976. Reading her poem “That Day,” Dr Gamedze reminded worshippers that justice work is essential because:  “We fight not for the sake of fighting, but for that day when fighting is no longer required. Because the darkness has finally been swallowed up by light.”   “Wake up!” Conference calls churches to act for justice (WCC news release, 16 June 2025)   Conference and seminars in southern Africa: “Prophetic Witness for Life, Justice, and Peace” 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 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland