wfn.org | German President Rau Calls for Cooperation between Faith Communities

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

'Without Peace between the World's Religions, World Peace Is Not Possible'

GENEVA, 17 October 2001 (LWI) - Visibly concerned about the effects
of international terrorism and the military action in Afghanistan
following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of
America, German President Dr. Johannes Rau today called on the world
religions to cooperate in order to promote peace globally.

President Rau was visiting Geneva-based international Christian
organizations at the invitation of the World Council of Churches
(WCC). He had a round-table discussion with WCC's general secretary
Dr. Konrad Raiser and the general secretaries of three other
organizations: Dr. Ishmael Noko of the Lutheran World Federation
(LWF), Dr. Keith Clements of the Conference of European Churches and
Dr. Setri Nyomi of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.

At a subsequent press conference, Rau pointing to the initiative of
theologian Hans Kueng from Tuebingen, Germany, said "Without peace
between the world's religions, world peace is not possible."

He noted that during a state visit to Indonesia, he had consciously
chosen to visit a Koran school before meeting with representatives of
the Protestant Christian Batak Church. He underscored the need for
dialogue between cultures, religions and denominations. "Cultures and
religions are no longer found on separate continents," Rau said. They
meet in "the same street, the same house, the same school, the same
company."

Talking to Lutheran World Information (LWI), Noko, emphasized that
ecumenical cooperation creates the necessary conditions for
meaningful inter-religious dialogue. "Ecumenical progress is a
fundamental basis on which to build interfaith relations and
cooperation for peace." A Christian church which is divided within
itself cannot effectively work with other faith communities in
addressing issues of conflict and peace, he said.

Noko noted that the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of
Justification-signed by the LWF and the Roman Catholic on 31 October
1999 in Augsburg, Germany-was a key example of an ecumenical
agreement that is also a peace instrument, bringing together faith
communities on an issue over which wars have been fought. "Ecumenical
dialogue is the cornerstone for building a community and a communion
of churches - in a reconciled diversity which resists attempts to
divide and manipulate," he added.

During the press conference, Rau spoke of the effects of
globalization particularly when this development only benefits the
industrialized nations' economies. Globalization must not remain
exclusively an economic program, he said. It must be ensured that
"human rights are globalized as much as the stock exchange."
Globalization, Rau said, must include the struggle against poverty,
destitution, and hunger.

(Translated from the German original by LWI correspondent, Barbara
Robra )

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now has 133
member churches in 73 countries representing over 60.5 million of the
64.3 million Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on behalf of its
member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical
relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights,
communication, and the various aspects of mission and development
work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the information service of the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Unless specifically noted, material
presented does not represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of
its various units. Where the dateline of an article contains the
notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced with
acknowledgment.]

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