Prof. Franz Gassner appointed Commission Member for World Mission and Evangelization of the World Council of Churches

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Prof. Franz Gassner appointed Commission Member for World Mission and Evangelization of the World Council of Churches

2024-07-25

25

Jul

25/07/2024

The Commission for World Mission and Evangelization (CWME) of the World Council of Churches (WCC, headquarters in Switzerland) assembled in person for the first time in their term (2023-2030) in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted by the “All Africa Council of Churches” (AACC) in Desmond Tutu Conference Center, from the 5th to the 11th of July, 2024.

From the 5th to the 11th of July 2024, the Commission for World Mission and Evangelization (CWME) of the World Council of Churches (WCC, headquarters in Switzerland) assembled in person for the first time in their term (2023-2030). The Commission meeting took place in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted by the “All Africa Council of Churches” (AACC) in their Desmond Tutu Conference Center.

Prof. Franz Gassner of the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy (FRSP) of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) Macao was appointed Commission Member, from the Catholic side, by the Vatican together with Sr. Dr. Teresa Joseph FMA from India. The other 35 representatives came from different Christian Churches on all continents (Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, etc.), including theologians, heads of church institutions, religious scholars, and church leaders.

Rev. Dr. Franz Gassner SVD from Macao

Sr. Teresa Joseph FMA from India

Gathered under the theme: “Making the Way: Mission as Counter-Creating,” the global representatives of Christian churches focused on transforming discipleship and identified ecumenical spaces where the churches can collaborate to witness the Good News today more actively and effectively. Part of this is to find respectful and de-colonialistic frameworks informing future theology and practice of mission and evangelism. The ongoing local protests of young people (Gen Z) in Kenya provided a vivid example of counter-creating and addressing the injustices of political corruption and poverty, which the Good News proclaims to overcome. Also, misleading missiologies (e.g. The Wealth Gospel), advocating a gnostic and socially amputated form of “Christianity”, have been discussed.

The meeting included the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the WCC Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, a pioneering organization for inclusive societies globally.

African representatives emphasized the need to end hypocrisy among church leaders and members, to promote care for creation, environmental and economic justice, peace-building, good governance, conflict prevention and mediation, and to deepen democratic culture. Church Representatives from Indigenous peoples (e.g. Indonesia) expressed their profound suffering due to international mining companies, leading to the loss of their land, homes, and traditions.

Prof. Gassner emphasized in his response the need for Churches to put the “little ones at the center” of theory and practice and to stop sacrificing the weakest (unborn, children, Indigenous peoples) on the altar of idols, ideas, and “progress”. He emphasized the urgent need to frame a global Ecumenical Social Charter (ESC), following the lead in Social Teaching by sister Churches (e.g. the Catholic Church and some Orthodox Churches).

Mapping the work ahead, the Commission will follow up on its mandate in 3 working groups, mainly online. The next Commission meeting in person is scheduled for 2026 in Jamaica.