Lutheran theology concerning women is a message of hope, says the assembly’s keynote speaker Dr. Mukwege, speaking about sexual violence
Lutheran theology, especially with regard to women in society, is a message of hope to all those who, as victims, suffer from moral, physical and sexual violence, the distinguished Congolese surgeon Dr. Denis Mukwege told Lutherans from around the world.
“It is up to us, who are the heirs of Martin Luther, that through the Word of God the ‘macho’ demons that dominate the world can be driven out, so that women who are victims of male barbarism can experience the reign of God in their lives,” said Mukwege, delivering the keynote address at the 12th LWF Assembly, which took place on 11 May.
Doctor of Medicine Mukwege from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has provided leadership for Africa and the world, standing up for human dignity and rights, especially for women who have suffered sexual violence in conflict situations.
“These women are my heroines,” he said. “They have been my inspiration,” at the same time noting that Martin Luther’s striving for inclusivity, or acceptance, created the principles for women being able to serve as pastors.
“Lead as women”
Mukwege earned ovations and shouts of approval from the women participants of the Assembly when he offered the exhortation: “Lead as a woman; respond as a woman. Be yourself – and that will be your strength and our opportunity.”
Dr. Mukwege is an active Christian layperson who has been recognised as the recipient of several prestigious international awards, including the 2008 United Nations Human Rights Prize and the 2014 Sakharov Prize for “Freedom of Thought,” and he has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
From 10 to 16 May, Lutherans from around the world gathered at the Assembly in the Namibian capital Windhoek, where the keynote speaker said in his address that he knew the “Lutheran Church” fights for women’s rights.
Mukwege’s address was on the theme of the assembly, “Liberated by God’s Grace,” which is also the central emphasis of the worldwide commemoration of 500 years of the Reformation.
The son of a pastor
Mukwege, the son of a pastor, said that his involvement is rooted in his family’s history; when he was with his father on a visit to the sick, one day he asked him:
“Father, you pray for this sick person, but why don’t you give them medicine?” His father replied: “I am not a doctor.” His vocation was born on that day, and he began to study paediatrics in order to help eradicate infant mortality.
“Unfortunately, in my first year of medical practice I discovered a very high mortality rate among mothers.”
The Congolese doctor added that violence against women, rape and misogyny are found not only in Africa, but all over the world. Mukwege spoke about the continuous conflict in the DRC, creating an enormous upheaval, “based on the need to control the resources of the Congolese land.” “This is a war that from the start involved seven African countries, the so-called first great African war, which is not ethnic” and in which religious fanatics are not implicated. “It is an economic war that has already caused more than five million deaths and the rape of thousands upon thousands of women.”
The Congolese doctor says that the first response to “this barbarism” was an attempt to treat the women who had become victims of physical and psychosexual violence.
Speaking out loudly against violence
When the violence was directed at the children born to the raped women, even at some infants who were themselves victims of the perpetrators, “we had to speak about exposing this unspeakable barbarism. That is the reason I am here with you this morning,” Mukwege said.
“How can such a barbaric practice be accepted in the 21st century?” Mukwege asked.
“That is the reason I chose, from time to time, to leave the operating theatre in order to make known to the world the indescribable suffering of our fellow human beings, our equals – our sister, our mother and our daughter.”
Dr. Mukwege said it is clear that those who planned and engaged in systematic rape used it as a weapon of war to achieve aims such as the humiliation of their opponents. He said that internationally certain red lines had been drawn against the use of chemical weapons, but there is no such red line regarding violence against women in war.
The Congolese surgeon said that he was filled with great joy to be among Lutherans at the assembly, which “represents tens of millions of Christians from around the world.” The LWF represents 74 million Lutherans from 98 countries. “I am convinced that I will find in you attentive ears and faithful mouths that will make the cries of women who have suffered sexual violence heard– Dr. Mukwege
“I am convinced that I will find in you attentive ears and faithful mouths that will make the cries of women who have suffered sexual violence heard, so that there will never again be impunity for those who commit crimes against women, the victims of sexual violence,” said Mukwege.
“A theology of the dignity of women”
He noted that if “our faith” is defined by theory and is not connected to practical realities, “we cannot fulfil the mission that Christ has entrusted to us.”
Mukwege said that our aim is to think about “the credibility of the Gospel in the 21st century, to set free the grace we have received, making the church a light that still shines in this world of darkness because of our struggles for justice, truth, rights, freedom – in short, for the dignity of men and women.”
Therefore “theologies of misogyny,” which express contempt and resentment that result in violence against women, must be “corrected and replaced with a theology of the dignity of women.
“This work must begin as early as our children’s catechism,” said the Congolese doctor.
“The mission of the church on earth is a prophetic mission – to enlighten, but also to expose evil. We have a duty to work at all levels of society to promote the adoption of laws and mechanisms that ensure the rehabilitation and fulfilment of [the potential of] women.”
The address was delivered at the 12th LWF Assembly, Windhoek, Namibia, 11.05.2017.
Source: Photo – LWF/Albin Hillert, Lutheran World Federation
The physician Denis Mukwege and his unshakeable fight for the lives of women – read here