wfn.org | Croatian Lutheran church on path to reconciliation

[franki@elca.org]

Focus on the present situation and future, not on difficulties of the past

SVATY JUR, Slovak Republic/GENEVA, 8 November 2000 (LWI) - A Unity
Commission set up by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has decided upon
the first practical steps towards a rapprochement in the conflict within the
Evangelical Church in Croatia (ECC). The commission comprises
representatives of both parties of the conflict within the Croatian church.

The Unity Commission, chaired by Bishop Julius Filo of the Evangelical
Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic had its first
meeting from October 17 to 18 at Svaty Jur, near the Slovak capital,
Bratislava. According to Rev. Dr. Olli-Pekka Lassila, Europe Secretary of
the LWF Department for Mission and Development, at this meeting agreement
was reached on practical steps towards the reunification of the Croatian
church.

In 1996, a controversy over leadership within the Evangelical Church in
Croatia had led to the creation of two administrative points, "Zagreb" and
"Legrad", amounting to a split in the church. The LWF offered to mediate in
the conflict at that time.

In 1999, following a decision of the LWF Executive Committee, a special
committee was established, with the mandate to channel to the ECC support
from partner churches and organizations abroad. At the same time, the
Executive Committee launched a separate Unity Commission to prepare a new
constitution and a synod meeting for a reunited ECC.

After the third meeting of the Coordination Committee on 27 October 2000 in
Kutina, Croatia, a joint worship service took place in Osiek on October 29
(Reformation day and LWF Sunday), bringing together more than 150
participants. According to Lassila, this is another positive sign towards
reunification of the ECC.

At the mid-October meeting in Svaty Jur, the ECC and the Unity Commission
jointly declared that the Croatian church on its path to reconciliation
needs the cooperation and support of the entire Lutheran family. Focus is on
the present situation and on the future, and not on the many difficulties
and problems that have occurred in the past. As in the past polemic
criticism led to an exacerbation of the conflict and to personal injury, the
Unity Commission and the ECC make a strong appeal to the ecumenical family
not to disturb the ongoing process of reunification by verbal or written
interventions from the outside. In the past such interventions have been
very counterproductive.

(The LWF is a global communion of 131 member churches in 72 countries
representing over 59 million of the world's 63 million Lutherans. Its
highest decision making body is the Assembly, normally held every six years.
Between Assemblies, the LWF is governed by a 49-member Council which meets
annually, and its Executive Committee. 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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