Episcopal Press and News
World Council Assembly Acts on Array of Issues
Episcopal News Service. August 18, 1983 [83148]
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (DPS, Aug. 18) -- In spite of extensive preparatory work and an extra plenary session, the Sixth Assembly of the World Council of Churches found itself able to complete action on only six of eight major issues before it, according to reports from World Council news officials.
Discussion of the eight major issues groups took up the bulk of the assembly's time during its final four days, most of which were in plenary session with some 840 delegates and several thousand journalists, guests and observers present. Two issue group reports -- on witnessing and on justice -- were forwarded to the central committee after debate. The "witnessing in a divided world" document was criticized primarily for lacking input from recent World Council mission and evangelism materials. The" struggling for justice and human dignity" report was sent back for revision following criticism of its strident tone and the apocalyptic images used in its theological section.
Six other issue group reports were received by the assembly and are to be forwarded to the Council's 301 member churches for study and action.
The report on "taking steps for unity" says both "prayer and action help deepen our understanding of faith." And it reiterates the World Council of Churches' goal of "visible unity in one faith and in one eucharistic fellowship." The "moving towards participation" report suggests how churches can use "special gifts" of laity, women, youth, the elderly, children and the disabled. It also urges churches to "support people's movements and development groups."
Viewing people as the key to the success of health care, the report on "healing and sharing life in community" was unanimously received by the assembly. After a short discussion, suggestions that aging, dying, sharing in mission, the sanctity of life (in the recommendation dealing with abortion and medical ethics) and the sharing of wealth be taken into account in final editing were accepted.
Nuclear deterrence can never provide the foundation for genuine peace. It must be categorically rejected as contrary to faith in Jesus Christ, say the "confronting threats to peace and survival" report. Agreeing that national security can be a legitimate concern, the report challenges concepts of national security that "exceed the needs of legitimate defense or seek economic, political and military domination of others."
Theological education for the "whole people of God", not just clergy, is affirmed in the "learning in community" report. "Theology is... a reflection on faith in God and its implications, including life-style, decision-making, equipping for action in society, and relationship with God and persons", the report says. And it calls for theological education that links action and reflection.
The eighth report, "communicating credibly", says news communication media, put to proper use, can enhance life rather than diminish it. But it notes the media are unevenly distributed and their control is in the hands of a few powerful countries and transnational corporations.
Evangelism and action for peace and justice must not be separated, says the assembly message. It says Christians are called to "tell the good news that Jesus Christ, God and Savior, is the Life of the World" (the Assembly theme) and to renew their "commitment to justice and peace". It urges Christians to call "persistently in every form for a halt to the arms race."
The assembly also issued statements and resolutions on a number of issues. One of the most hotly debated dealt with Afghanistan. After pleas from Soviet delegates for what they described as a realistic and balanced wording, the delegates voted support for United Nations efforts for peace in Afghanistan, including a call for withdrawal of Soviet troops. One member of the drafting committee described the statement as "the most some delegates could accept, and the least others could accept."
On the Middle East, the assembly said churches should help create a wider awareness of the justice of the Palestinian cause and of the suffering of Muslims and Christians living in East Jerusalem and other occupied territories. The statement also repeated the World Council's position that to achieve peace in the region there must be a "withdrawal of Israeli troops from all territories occupied in 1967" and recognition of "the right of all states, including Israel and Arab states, to live in peace with secure and recognized boundaries."
A statement on human rights passed by the assembly urges both the World Council and its member churches to step up activities in this area, including monitoring, advocacy, study work, consciousness-raising, prodding governments to develop new legal instruments, and" a pastoral approach, which combines prayer, preaching and practical efforts in action."
In other statements adopted by the assembly, mandatory and comprehensive sanctions including an oil embargo were approved against white-minority ruled South Africa. Other statements were issued on Cyprus, the Pacific, Central America and "the international food disorder".
Also in its last week, the assembly elected a new 145-member central committee. It has 17 persons 30 or under (11.7 percent) and 38 women (26.2 percent). Archbishop Khotsu Makhulu of the Anglican Province of Central Africa was elected one of seven presidents of the Council. Others elected were R. Nita Barrow (Methodist, Barbados), Marga Buhrig (Reformed, Switzerland), Lois Wilson (United, Canada), Paulos Gregorios (Oriental Orthodox, India), Johannes Hempel (Lutheran, German Democratic Republic) and Ignatios IV (Eastern Orthodox, Syria.)
Guidelines to shape the program of the World Council until its next assembly (in 1990 or 1991) were also approved. Gleaning trends and ideas from the many discussion sessions during the assembly, the guidelines committee said top priority should be given to the "search for concrete steps toward the goal of visible unity." Second priority was given to "fostering ecumenical relationships with and between churches, communities, groups and ecumenical organizations on all levels."
The other six priorities are theological work; evangelism; "commitment to justice, peace and the integrity of all creation"; developing a community of "healing and sharing" with full participation of women, men, youth, children, the disabled and the laity; making concerns of women integral to all areas of World Council of Churches work; and ecumenical learning.