wfn.org | WCC to observe 'ecumenical decade to overcome violence'

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Sept. 9, 1999 News media contact: Linda Bloom**(212) 870-3803**New York
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By United Methodist News Service

United Methodist members of the World Council of Churches' Central Committee
are applauding that body's declaration of the an "Ecumenical Decade to
Overcome Violence."

First proposed by delegates at the WCC's eighth assembly last December in
Zimbabwe, the decade - from 2001 to 2010 - was approved during the central
committee's Aug. 26-Sept. 3 meeting in Geneva.

The Rev. Kathy Bannister, a United Methodist clergywoman from Bison, Kan.,
and one of the eight WCC presidents, found a "huge enthusiasm" for a
cooperative effort on the Ecumenical Decade to Overcome Violence when North
American committee members met as a group.

"I think the decade will be a really powerful focal point for the council,"
Bannister said.

Lois Dauway, a central committee member and staff executive with the Women's
Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, said she was pleased
with the decade's emphasis on Africa, where wars and violence draw little
international attention. The decade also will bring attention to hate crimes
in America. "It's important that the world know what is occurring in the
United States," she added.

Olara A. Otunna, appointed by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan as his
special representative for children and armed conflict, appealed to the
committee to support a U.N. Security Council resolution regarding children
and war. The resolution calls on all sides to stop targeting children, to
take special measures to protect them from rape and sexual abuse, to end the
recruitment of children as soldiers and to take the welfare of children into
account while negotiating peace agreements.

A memo entitled "Response to Armed Conflict and International Law,"
reaffirmed the WCC's support of the United Nations and called upon churches
to be "agents of reconciliation in a troubled world."

The Rev. Bruce Robbins, central committee member and chief staff executive
of the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious
Concerns, noted that the council continues to have "a major debate and
struggle" over the issue of the church's participation in violence the
concept of "just war."

The committee's memorandum acknowledged a lack of agreement on what
"humanitarian intervention" should include when responding to situations
involving massive violations of human rights. "For some churches, the use of
military force can never be justified while others believe that in certain
situations, when other non-military means have been exhausted, military
action may be justifiable," it stated.

Beyond external issues, the United Methodist members were pleased with the
openness and diversity evident when the Central Committee gathered to set
priorities for the next six to seven years. Despite the fact that many
members were new, they were "very willing to be vocal in plenary," according
to Bannister. She was encouraged by "an incredible mix of speakers from all
parts of the world, men and women."

Richard Grounds, a member of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference and
professor of religion and anthropology at the University of Tulsa, is one of
the new United Methodist representatives. He said he felt privileged to
participate in worship, dialogue and debate "with folks from the global
church" and noted the "intentional" effort to foster real diversity.

Grounds also appreciated the attention to indigenous perspectives -
"sometimes raised from unexpected quarters" - and the fact that the council
recognizes the global imbalances of wealth in its support of members who are
unable to pay dues.

Robbins, who has been active in the WCC for nearly 25 years, said the
meeting represented "an openness to dialogue beyond which I've heard
(previously) in the council."

Symbolic of the hopes for better understanding among the churches, he added,
is the "special commission" on Orthodox and Protestant dialogue, which will
have its first meeting in early December in Geneva. Jan Love of Columbia,
S.C., a United Methodist and veteran WCC participant, has been named as a
member to the commission.

Because of past tensions with some Orthodox members, setting that meeting
date was important, according to Bannister. "The need for it is blatantly
apparent to everyone," she explained. "There is much anticipation in the
council about its work."

Themes for the WCC's work in the upcoming years are: "being church" -
promoting an inclusive community and increased participation from those who
are marginalized; "caring for life" and upholding the rights and dignity of
people; "ministry of reconciliation," focusing on spirituality; and "common
witness and service" in the midst of emerging global economies.

Central committee members discussed budget problems due to a drop in income.
Currently, the total contributions from North American churches are 15
percent, with 83 percent coming from Europe. The WCC, according to Robbins,
is looking to strengthen contributions from outside Europe.

While 167 out of 336 member churches failed to contribute the minimum
membership fee in 1998, United Methodist contributions "have gradually
increased over the years," he pointed out. Robbins stressed the importance
of United Methodist participation in the council because of the global
aspect of the denomination. 
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