04446
October 6, 2004

U.S. churches’ responsibility for peace and justice efforts highlighted at WCC gathering

by Juan Michel
WCC News and Information Office                        

ATLANTA — The immense responsibility of the U.S. churches in the world today was highlighted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Samuel Kobia during the annual meeting of the WCC’s U.S. member churches  here Oct. 5-6.

      In his keynote speech, Kobia affirmed the work for peace and justice done by the U.S. churches as well as the support of Christians worldwide for their efforts.

      Given that “the U.S. is now the world’s only superpower” and that “its policies and actions have consequences for every country in the world,” Kobia said, people around the world “are afraid of US power and the way it is being used.”

      In this context, U.S. churches are expected to “continue to advocate for a responsible use of power,” while their responsibility “to speak truth to power” becomes “difficult and risky.”

      “This is precisely why churches worldwide are mobilized in support of communities in the U.S. that uphold another power, the power of peace, in all places and at all times,” stated Kobia. “They expect much from you, because indeed much has been given to you,” he added.

      While affirming “the vitality and creativity of peace and justice work in the U.S.,” which has in many ways been an inspiration for people everywhere, Kobia also stressed the importance of grounding that work “in spiritual discernment and prayer.”

      The responsibility of the U.S. churches was also underlined by the pastor of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Rev. Joseph L. Roberts Jr. Preaching the homily at the  opening worship of the meeting and quoting Martin Luther King, Jr, Roberts emphasized that “true love is a painful embrace.”

      As God “painfully embraces the world with all its evils,” said Roberts, “will our arms reach those who are suffering from Beslan to Abu Ghraib, from Darfur to the thousands of women and children introduced every year into the U.S. and sold into forced labor and prostitution?”

      Atlanta’s mayor, Shirley Franklin, welcomed the WCC gathering to her city and presented the WCC with the city’s Phoenix Award for its commitment to reconciliation and the eradication of violence.

      “As Atlantans and as Americans, we applaud the WCC for its tireless pursuit of peace and justice throughout our global community and for initiating the Decade to Overcome Violence,” the mayor said at a City Hall press conference. 

      In accepting the award, Kobia recognized the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, whom he described as “a hero to thousands and millions” whose lives “have been transformed by his message.”