WCC NEWS: At Katholikentag, WCC moderator reflects on faith and hope

World Council of Churches moderator Dr Agnes Abuom participated in the 102nd Katholikentag in Stuttgart this week as the event was held under the theme “Sharing life.” Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 27 May 2022 Abuom offered two presentations, the first on 27 May as part of a panel with titled "The love of Christ moves, reconciles and unites the world,” and the second on 28 May as part of a service with the theme "Celebrating with Global Ecumenism." Abuom reflected on how the theme of the WCC 11th Assembly, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity,” is intertwined with the Katholikentag theme.  “When hate speech is normalized in human communication through social networks; when xenophobia and racism are nurtured by national populisms and their politics of fear; when many are the poor who face the consequences of the climate emergency catalyzed by the life style of a few who are rich, it does make sense to call Christians and churches from around the world to re-envision prophetically their apostolate, their mission, witness and unity in relation to love, in relation to Christ’s love today,” said Abuom. “No injustice, no violence, no war!” Abuom noted that, in Christ’s love, we are free. “That is our call and our mission in this world: to struggle for the dignity of all human beings and the life of all creation,” she said. “Let us be moved by Christ’s love.” She called on all to work for healing, reconciliation and unity. “Our heart must be wide,” she said, adding that our support and solidarity must be with all people who suffer. “As the moderator of the central committee of the World Council of Churches, I want to take this opportunity to thank wholeheartedly all those churches in Germany who have invited us to come to Karlsruhe and who are already hosting us in very generous ways,” she said. “Here at the Katholikentag, I want to mention especially the German Roman Catholic Bishops Conference and the Archdiocese of Freiburg who are fully involved in the local preparations.” She extended thanks to all who were present at Katholikentag. “By being present here, you show your ecumenical commitment,” she said. Dr Agnes Abuom: Witnessing in unity to Christ’s Compassionate love in times of survival Dr Agnes Abuom: Invitation to participate in the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe The 102nd Katholikentag in Stuttgart 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