wfn.org | WARC - Calvin More Relevant Than Ever says Kirkpatrick

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> World Alliance of Reformed Churches
> News Release
> 22 May 2009

Message of 16th century French theologian addresses religious
conflicts today

The lessons of a 16th century theologian born in France speak
directly to a post-modern world hungry for peaceful and united
communities according to the president of a global network of
Protestant churches.

In a presentation to be delivered at a public event at the
Sorbonne University in Paris on Friday 22 May, the president of
the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) notes that Calvin,
a pioneer leader of the Protestant Reformation, once wrote that
he would eagerly "cross ten seas" if that would further the cause
of Christian unity.

"In a fragmented world and fragmented church, where many of the
greatest conflicts are centred in religious difference, Calvin is
more relevant than ever," Clifton Kirkpatrick says.

Kirkpatrick makes his remarks in an address celebrating the
500th birthday of the pioneer Reformed church leader, John
Calvin, and the 450th anniversary of the Reformed Church of
France.

â??The challenge,â?? says Kirkpatrick, â??is not just to  celebrate
Calvin but rather to seek what it might mean to lead a Calvinist
revolution in 21st century France.â??

Rather than being a violent revolution, Kirkpatrick suggests
that a Calvinist revolution might include leading a movement for
peace based on justice in the economy and on care for the natural
world.

Kirkpatrick notes Calvin often admonished Reformed Christians in
France who were being persecuted for their faith not to respond
in kind.

â??This call to be peacemakers could not be more urgent than it is
today,â?? Kirkpatrick declares. â??As Reformed Christians, we  are
called to lead in a different direction and make our communities
living demonstrations of compassion, justice and mutual support.â??

The president of the French Senate, Gérard Larcher, is expected
to attend the event marking the highpoint of the anniversary
celebrations planned to coincide with the 102nd annual meeting
Synod of the Reformed Church of France.

Kirkpatrick will be accompanied by WARC's general secretary,
Setri Nyomi, and by the president of the Reformed Ecumenical
Council (REC), Peter Borgdorff.  In June 2010 the two global
ecumenical organizations will merge to form the World Communion
of Reformed Churches.

> Contact
> Kristine Greenaway
> Head of Communications
> World Alliance of Reformed Churches
> 150 Route de Ferney
> P.O. Box 2100
> 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
> tel.  +41.22 791 6243 / +41 79 508 20 43
> fax: +41.22 791 6505
> web: www.warc.ch ( http://www.warc.ch/ )
> e-mail: kgr@warc.ch