The African Christian Pulse

A Bulletin of the All Africa Conference of Churches

July-August 2009 aacc

Welcome to DRC! Bishop Pierre Marini Bodho, President of the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) (right) and Rev. Berthe Nzeba Kalombo, General Secretary of the Women's and Family Department of ECC (left).

The African Christian Pulse Contents: Ecumenical Solidarity visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo ...... 3 Women committed to healing and lasting peace...... 3 Orientation course for newly elected heads of churches...... 5 The response of churches in the DRC crisis...... 6 AACC’s involvement in interfaith relations ...... 7 A call to peace in Nigeria ...... 11

In this Issue:

Continuing its efforts for sustainable peace and justice in Africa, the AACC has been present in the four corners of the continent, comforting, speaking out, challenging and keeping alive the light of hope.

In this issue, the African Christian Pulse introduces two areas where AACC continued to advocate for peace. The outbreak of war in the eastern provinces of DRC urged AACC to send an ecumenical delegation of church leaders from

aacc Burundi, Rwanda, DRC and AACC; they met both President Kabila of DRC and Kagame of Rwanda, and encouraged them to prioritize dialogue and peaceful discussion on issues of mutual concern to both countries.

Two major summits of African religious leaders gathered in Accra and Addis to commit themselves to work for lasting peace and challenge the leaders of the countries, the population and the force of order to stand for peace as new religious riots broke out in the north of Nigeria. With hope in all these processes, theAACC echoes the words of Micah,

“He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into prunning hooks.” (Micah 4:3).

The African Christian Pulse July-August 2009 2 ECUMENICAL SOLIDARITY VISIT TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO he All Africa conference of TChurches (AACC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) organized a joint ecumenical solidarity visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 8th to 15 th July 2009. The solidarity visit constituted three teams one of which visited Eastern Congo precisely, Goma and Bukavu; the second team visited Bas- Congo and Kasai regions while the third team visited - the coordinating center of the Kimbaguist Church.

The Ecumenical delegation after a meeting with H.E President Joseph Kabila of The three teams later came DRC. together in where a consultation for Women on Burundi. The Ecumenical African Instituted Churches. Transformative Leadership for Solidarity visit was led by the Peace, Healing and Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, the During the visit, the leadership Reconciliation was held. The General Secretary of the WCC of the delegation also had a consultation brought together accompanied by the Rev. Dr. chance to meet with His fifty women participants from Andre Karamaga, the General Excellency Joseph Kabila, the various provinces of the DRC Secretary of theAACC and Rev. President of the Democratic and representatives of women Nicta Lubaale, the General Republic of Congo. networks in Rwanda and Secretary of Organisation of

WOMEN COMMITTED TO HEALING AND LASTING PEACE by Vivi Akakpo ifty women leaders from Leadership for Peace, Healing AACC and WCC and Reconciliation”. This Fmember churches in the Consultation followed a 5-day Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecumenical Solidarity visit by Burundi and Rwanda met in the two organizations led by Kinshasa, from July 12th to 14 th , their General Secretaries, Rev. for a consultative session under Dr. Sam Kobia and Rev. Dr. the theme “Transformative AACC Women and Migration André Karamaga from WCC Programme Officer, Mrs Vivi Akakpo

The African Christian Pulse July-August 2009 3 alone in their struggles.

i To create the space for women to network with each other from all corners of DRC and also with their sisters who have come from other parts of the world.

i To recognize the important efforts women make in working towards healing and reconciliation. Participants to the Kinshasa Consultation We know that here in DRC, women face andAACC respectively . more violence, rape and killing violation with resilience. In of women. many cases, they have to Participants in the Consultation forego their own pain so as expressed their satisfaction to In his keynote Address to reach out to others for see that the Church recognizes “Wounded Healers and healing from trauma that violence against women in Midwives for Peace”, Rev. Dr. caused by all forms of the church and the society exists Sam Kobia made reference to violence. Women in the and the Church is willing to the WCC letter from the DRC are indeed wounded work with women to put an end festival celebrating the end of healers that give hope to to it. For them, the Consultation the decade of churches in situations which would was a kairos moment as it was solidarity with women (1988- otherwise be hopeless. the first time that a Women's 1998) to the WCC 8th assembly Consultation is held following in Harare, which i To make visible to the UN an Ecumenical Solidarity Visit. acknowledged that violence and governments through Moreover, the situation in the against women is a sin and the World Council of Great Lakes Region in general therefore an offence against Churches, the work of and in the DRC in particular God. It encouraged churches, peace building and needed the attention of the networks and movements to reconciliation that women World Ecumenical Family. engage in constructive efforts carry out so that at the end to overcome such violence in of the day they can also be Participants were moved by the all its manifestations in both brought to the negotiation story of one of the victims of church and society. table for peace and conflict violence from Bunia who resolution. survived atrocities and lost a leg The main objectives of the and her family during the war. Consultation were for the Apart from the fity women, the Many other stories on violence Global Ecumenical Family: Consultation registered the against women in East Congo, participation of about 15 Burundi and Rwanda were i To offer its solidarity to Church Leaders from the DRC shared. The participants called women of DRC so that upon the Church to say no to they know that they are not

The African Christian Pulse July-August 2009 4 ORIENTATION COURSE FOR NEWLY ELECTED HEADS OF CHURCHES

he AACC organized in Nairobi, Kenya a one Tweek orientation course for newly elected heads of Churches/Dioceses /Presbyteries/Synods.The course took place from 6th to 10th July 2009.

When this course was announced in early April 2009 we received overwhelming positive responses. Below are samples of the responses from heads of churches:

“Thanks for initiating this kind of course for Church Leaders in Africa. I think Participatnts of the orientation course for newly elected heads of Churches that AACC is really beginning to become the in adjusting to leadership, This first course attracted AACC by addressing issues due to lack of training in participants from Ghana, leadership, or even not facing its member churches.” Kenya, Namibia, South Africa Rev. Canon Enock Tombe – finding people who would be Episcopal Church of Sudan. willing to share their and Uganda. experience with us. This “Warm greetings from initiative has come at the The most encouraging thing Kinshasa with many thanks right time for the African about these participants is that Church to have an for your message and its almost all of them paid their full opportunity to train and think attachment. We applaud this air ticket from their respective together in order to move countries. initiative. This is one of areas together for the good cause of our churches have a lot of Unity in Christ.” Bishop Pie problems. I do not have a Ntukamazina - Diocese of The course objective was to candidate to recommend at Bujumbura, Burundi. enable the church leaders the moment, but I appreciate appreciate their roles as the initiative.” Bishop David By mid June 2009 we had stewards called to serve the K. Yemba – AACC Vice received course applications Church and evolve strategies President (D R Congo). from 62 Anglophone and 17 for improving stewardship and Francophone bishops, accountability within their “Thank you for the message. moderators and senior clergy. Churches. We, as African Churches, Since we could not welcome this new initiative of accommodate all of them we To realize the above objectives offering such a good training began with a class of 38 heads the course covered the to new Church leaders. We of churches. The remaining following topics: have to confess that most of candidates will be called later i Yourcalling as Steward of us who have been serving for God's resources so long have had difficulties this year for the same course.

The African Christian Pulse July-August 2009 5 i Basic management i Sharing of experiences to share the functions in the in the life and work of a sustainability case administration of the bishop studies church i The role of the church in i Strategic planning for Peace building, conflict The course was facilitated by the churches resolution and the need to the AACC Senior staff i The sustainability of the combat corruption assisted by a few consultants churches inAfrica i Interfaith relations from church based i Ecumenism in Africa i Visit to Kenyan organizations. and Relations with successful church Agencies projects or programmes

THE RESPONSE OF CHURCHES IN THE DRC CRISIS By Karin Doehne, from EED- member of the team to Bas-Congo and Kasai

he effects of war and children suffer under increasing how tolive in peace with each crisis are not only violence. However, women as other, how to accept foreigners Texperienced in the the back bone of economic and welcome them as members. eastern part of the Democratic productivity and carer of In for example we Republic of Congo. By visiting families are contributing to witnessed an example of the the two provinces of Bas Congo solutions out of the crisis. successful integration of a and Kasai Oriental in the refugee family into a local context of the Ecumenical What are the churches doing congregation. Solidarity Visit we learnt how specifically? other areas have become 1) Firstly, they continue the 3) Ecumenism practised by the affected too. Economic pastoral work of ECC, but also by other churches hardships and lacking congregations. This may sound through membership in local perspectives, in particular for like nothing special. Yet, it is of coordinating committees for the youth, result in frustration – utmost importance to give various purposes, is a strong a fertile ground for political people hope, encouragement, signal that cooperation, trust movements which become feeling at home. For example, in and respect are possible in spite increasingly radical and thus spite of being impoverished, of differences. polarise the population. people in Mbuji Mayi still Violence, war and crisis change invest in new church buildings. 4) The churches are the biggest the culture, the values and the Whereas in the past the mining service providers in terms of way people live together. society was providing, it is now health and education (more than People tend to move away from the people themselves who are 150,000 students studying in remote places looking for constructing with their own church institutions in Bas opportunities and protection in means, even when progress is Congo, 1,400 schools in Kasai) the towns, hence urbanisation is slow. in the country. Examples we speeding up. Consequently, the visited are the Institute patterns of family and 2) Supported by the respective Medicale Evangelique, which relationship between men and departments and programmes, runs a 400-bed hospital and women change. Women and congregations work on issues of trains doctors and nurses, and

The African Christian Pulse July-August 2009 6 the Centre Evangelique pour la concern regarding important should not determine who Cooperation in Kimpese, which socio-political issues such as: belongs to communities is in charge of hundreds of and who remains an schools and a university. In - Who are the promoters of outsider, foreigner. This Mbuji Mayi we saw church-run war, who supplies them applies to the society as a schools and were informed on with weapons? In Matadi it whole, but also to the the health work. Schools are was stated that there are churches congregations. seen as an important field where outside forces at work too. children can learn and practice Outside nations such as the -The guiding principle for peaceful co-existence and USA, France, Belgium and the exploitation of natural counter balance the voices (and the EU are part of the game, resources of a nation must actions) of those who spread fuelling the conflicts by be the benefit and well conflict and tension. The pursuing their economic being of the population, medical services not only offer and political agendas local and national. The physical care, but also which have nothing to do churches do not keep quiet psychosocial and spiritual care with the interests of the in the face of the scandal of for those who suffer from people of Bas Congo. resource exploitation for trauma. financing death and greed. - Regarding the planning of 5) Churches deal with social major projects such as the - Together with the problems. In Kasai this is the INGA barrage No III, a ecumenical family department “urgances” which deep water port in Matadi, worldwide crimes and cares for street children and the oil exploitation in the wrong doings of private looks into issues such as Bas Congo region, the companies and the political prostitution and demining. In church is demanding involvement of other Bas Congo the Centre Régional proper participation of the nations need to be exposed. d'Appui et de Formation pour le representatives of the Développement mobilises rural population. Such projects We observed that the churches villages for community must benefit the local want to continue to use their development and tackles the people too. different avenues of influence in problems of deforestation and the country. In doing so they ecological damage. It supports - The situation of immigrants shall be encouraged and local farmers to market their and refugees needs to be supported by the worldwide products. reflected more ecumenical family. systematically. Ethnic 6) Churches give a voice to the belonging though a population and express their constituting part of identity

AACC’S INVOLVEMENT IN INTERFAITH RELATIONS he AACC has always commitment the Deputy meeting which took place in been committed to General Secretary of AACC, Accra, Ghana, from 20th -24 th Tpromote peace through Mr. Bright Mawudor July, 2009. We are glad to share interfaith dialogue and from this participated in the interfaith with our readers the

The African Christian Pulse July-August 2009 7 Religious leaders in the Addis Ababa meeting communiqué produced by the the wider society, negative at all times beAgents of meeting. religious expansionist policies, the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation politicization of religion, and must live by example; On 30th -31 st July, another globalization / internationalization Reconciliation in the West African interfaith meeting took place in of conflicts, negative solidarity, the region in Particular and Africa in AddisAbaba, Ethiopia, that was challenge of translating good general; hosted by the African Union. precepts in religion into good The General Secretary of practice in everyday life, causes of Accordingly, as Religious AACC, Rev. Dr, André conflicts, and advocacy for peace Leaders coming from the two Karamaga represented the by example; major Religions in the West AACC. And we are also glad to African region, and representing share the communiqué resulting Having received Case Studies on millions of persons of faith, from that gathering. Christians and Muslims Collaboration for Peace from Do hereby resolve and reaffirm Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte our willingness and determination I D'Ivoire, and Nigeria; to continue to remain in solidarity THEACCRACOMMUNIQUÉ with each other in the furtherance Aware that religion and religious and sustainability of Peace, We, sixty (60) Christian and differences have always been Justice, Healing andresolve as Muslim religious leaders from ten exploited for political, economic, follows: (10) West African States that communal and personal interest include Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte which have caused the deaths of i That we would lead by D'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, thousands of our brothers and example and take Senegal, Sierra Leone, The sisters and the destruction of responsibility to Promote Gambia and Togo met in Accra, properties; Peace, Justice and Ghana under the auspices of the Reconciliation in our region; Programme for Christian-Muslim Very Concerned at the violent Relations in Africa confrontations in our individual i That we would embark on a (PROCMURA) on the theme: countries carried out by some of campaign to create awareness “Religion and Prevention of our followers; and sensitization within the Conflict, Peace Building and religious communities to Reconciliation” at the M-Plaza Recognizing that there are some promote positive religious Hotel, from July 20-24, 2009. positive improvements in tolerance for peace and Christian and Muslim peaceful co-existence; Having deliberated on such issues Collaboration for as: Religious Leaders as Agents of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation; i That we would respect and Peace, peace between the religions appreciate each other's as a prerequisite for religious Understandingand accepting religious values, beliefs and leaders to promote peace within that as Religious Leaders we must practices;

The African Christian Pulse July-August 2009 8 within the Sub-Region;

We as Religious Leaders have adopted the above and have resolved to continue to work together to promote positive religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence, addressing Peace, Justice, Healing and Reconciliation.

Done inAccra, Ghana this 24th Day of July 2009.

II STATEMENT BY CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM RELIGIOUS LEADERS ON PEACE BUILDING IN THE HORN OF AFRICA Left: Dr. Elham M. A. Ibrahim, AU Infrastructure and Energy Commissioner ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA TH ST addresses religious leaders. 30 – 31 JULY 2009

i That we would collectively have the propensity for We, the religious leaders engage national conflicts; representing the Christian and governments, the Economic Muslim faiths from the Inter- Community of West Africa i As both Holy Books (the Governmental Authority on States (ECOWAS) and along Bible and Qur'an) place Development (IGAD) countries with our counterparts in the emphasis on Peace, that as meeting in Addis Ababa on 30th - various regions of Africa, the religious leaders we practice 31st July 2009, to deliberate on African Union (AU) to urge Peace in fulfillment of the Peace Building, Healing and for responsible governance tenets of our respective Reconciliation in the Horn of and democracy religions. Africa;

Call on Religious Leaders Call on Government Acknowledging the mercies of the i We call on all Religious i We call on Governments and Almighty God on us as we spent Leaders to continue to be Political leaders in the Sub- time together, sharing our thoughts Prophetic and proactive at all Region to practice good and with each other and developing times without fear or favour; responsible governance and bonds amongst us; guarantee peaceful i We call on religious leaders transitions from one duly Expressing heartfelt thanks to the to be politically impartial and elected government to the Ethiopian Government and the refrain from partisan politics other; African Union (AU) and so as to ensure that we play appreciation to the Ethiopian effective roles as Agents of i We appreciate and thank Interfaith Platform and His Peace Justice and those governments that have Holiness the Patriarch Abuna Reconciliation; created an enabling Paulos for hosting us; the African environment for dialogue Council of Religious Leaders i We call on the followers of with religious leaders, and (ACRL), and the All African our respective religions to call on others to create the Conference of Churches (AACC) complement each others same; for convening the meeting; efforts for peace in society and peaceful co-existence i We call on Governments to Having reflected on a wide range among themselves and avoid ensure that Child and Drug of issues relating to the peace, negative tendencies which trafficking be eradicated security and stability in the Horn of

The African Christian Pulse July-August 2009 9 Africa within the context of inter- faith relations in the region for the Convinced of the fact that 5 Build stronger networks past two days; religious leaders have a role and between the religious leaders mandate in contributing towards in the Horn of Africa to Celebrating our African identity, peace and reconciliation process in enhance peace and security in unity in diversity and our journey the region; the region; in the African history of liberation, restoration of justice 6 Establish linkages with and human dignity; We, the Christian and Muslim Africa Union (AU) and leaders together with the Inter-Governmental Deeply concerned about the institutions we represent do hereby Authority on Development endemic conflicts and persistent commit ourselves to undertake, a (IGAD); insecurity in the region, especially series of actions to bring fruition to in Somalia, Sudan and Northern the work that we have done in the 7 Engage in value based Uganda, caused or aggravated by, last two days. In this regard, we holistic civic education economic stagnation and poverty, have collectively resolved to:- mistrust and suspicion, massive 8 Initiate coordinated advocacy violation of human rights and 1 Sustain and intensify our and lobby strategies for peace other policies of exclusion and prayers for peace in the Horn in the region; marginalization; ofAfrica; 9 Engage in humanitarian Gravely troubled about the 2 Actively continue engaging assistance to the affected humanitarian and social in sincere Interfaith- population in the region; consequences of the crises; dialogue, trust building and collaboration for peace in 10 Convene a wider regional Bearing in mind the sub-human each of our countries and in peace conference for and abhorring conditions under the region; religious leaders from the which many of our people in the Horn of Africa by December Horn of Africa live, either in the 3 Remain committed to the 2009. internally displaced persons cause of peace, Justice, camps or refugee camps; healing, and reconciliation in Finally, with the help of the the Horn ofAfrica and seek to Almighty God and inspiration Recognizing that the internal do everything within our from our people, we make a joint conflicts have a regional impact capacity to reduce further and firm Commitment towards the that could adversely affect the escalation of violent conflict journey of building peace in the peace and security in the whole in the region; Horn of Africa and invite all the region and beyond; people of goodwill, the 4 Facilitate spiritual renewal by Governments of the region and Seeking to deepen our instilling and imparting other stakeholders to join us. understanding and analysis of the positive values, within our root causes and agents of conflicts families, mosques, churches, in the region; schools and Communities;

The African Christian Pulse July-August 2009 10 CALL FOR PEACE IN NIGERIA

hile religious meeting at the African Union Signed by:Religious leaders from leaders were headquarters in Addis Ababa on Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, th st meeting in the 30 -31 July, 2009; Somalia and Uganda;Fellowship W of Christian Councils in the Great African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Are deeply concerned about the Lakes and Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA);African Council whole continent became deeply on-going violence in Northern Nigeria in the last four days. We of Religious Leaders (ACRL);All concerned about the violence are particularly troubled by the Africa Conference of Churches that occurred in Northern resulting loss of lives and (AACC). Nigeria and issued the destruction from violence; following short statement. We appeal to the government of STATEMENT BY Nigeria, the religious leaders and CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM elders to intensify their efforts in RELIGIOUS LEADERS finding peaceful solutions to the FROM THE HORN OF ongoing and recurrent violence in AFRICA (IGAD) Nigeria. COUNTRIES TO THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN We ask the religious communities NIGERIA, THE INTER- in Nigeria to continue to intensify RELIGIOUS COUNCIL and sustain measures that prevent (NIREC) AND THE PEOPLE conflicts from occurring. OF NIGERIA ON THE VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA We pray and hope that normalcy will return to the region affected We the religious leaders from the by the conflict; Horn of Africa (IGAD) countries

The African Christian Pulse July-August 2009 11 H.E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda after a meeting with Church Leaders from DRC, Burundi and Rwanda.

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The African Christian Pulse Published by: All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) P.O Box 14205, 00800, Nairobi Kenya Email: [email protected] Website: www.aacc-ceta.org