Lutheran World Federation President Archbishop Dr. Panti Filibus Musa addresses the 2019 Council meeting
Geneva
13.06.2019.
The President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Archbishop Dr. Panti Filibus Musa, opened the 2019 LWF Council meeting with a call for deeper unity among the churches and for courageous witness in a world that thirsts for justice, where creation cries out for healing (Lutheran World Information Centre).
“As people who have been forever appointed and sealed by the good shepherd [..], we must never abandon our duty to bear witness against inequality in society” and to respond to systems that increase the vulnerability of the poor, said Musa, who is the head of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN). “For we know his voice” (John 10:4) was the title of his address, which frames the theme for the 13–18 June Council meeting in Geneva.
Developing the theme of the Council meeting, the President said that knowing God’s voice is an assurance of justification by grace through faith in Christ and a comfort even in the face of the greatest challenges. “Even when we have doubts, we can rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us discern God’s voice, to understand what God wants to do in the world today.”
“As people who have been forever appointed and sealed by the good shepherd [..], we must never abandon our duty to bear witness against inequality in society,” LWF President Archbishop Dr. Panti Filibus Musa.
Musa used the imagery Jesus employed of the good shepherd’s care for the sheep within the fold and beyond it, in order to underscore the principles envisioned by the LWF’s understanding of mission and of faith lived out in the world. As a church of Jesus Christ that never advocates for justifying itself, and following those who founded the LWF, “turning in on oneself and showing concern only for one’s own well-being can never be an option,” the President said.
The LCCN Archbishop reminded the representatives of the churches belonging to the LWF that Christians share space with others, and of the call to encounter other religions theologically and practically with the aim of promoting peace. He challenged the Lutheran communion to maintain its essential calling to attend to “the suffering of our neighbour,” including those persecuted because of their faith, even if such prophetic witness “often comes with great risk.”
A commitment to witness and serve together
The President’s address highlighted milestones in the LWF’s long-standing commitment to pursue Christian unity within the LWF communion and with other ecumenical partners, and the shared service to alleviate suffering. He expressed gratitude for a “deep witness” to “our unity” in a world where it is easier to sever ties and relationships, but he likewise called for “stronger and more effective” ones, in order to stand united against all forms of violence.
An essential aspect of this year’s meeting is the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ). This ecumenical agreement was originally signed in 1999 by the Roman Catholic Church and the LWF. Since then, the Methodists, Anglicans and Reformed have affirmed their assent to the JDDJ, making it a joint ecumenical commitment of five global church organisations to witness together and to cooperate in serving people in need around the world. “This is a very important ecumenical landmark on our path from conflict to communion,” Musa said.
Responding to creation’s cry for healing
Turning to some of the thematic areas developed in the LWF’s 2019–2024 strategy, the President reminded the Council of the call to be good stewards of God’s creation and to hear its cries for healing. “Creation groans amid environmental degradation; its impact is catastrophic – devastating cyclones, floods and drought.” This is a crisis that acutely demands intervention. He expressed deep gratitude for the LWF’s work on climate justice and praised young people throughout the communion for taking on leadership in promoting climate justice in various ways.
Speaking of the Luther Garden in Wittenberg, Germany, where in 2017, to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, 500 trees were planted as a living monument by churches from regions across the world, the LWF President said that it should not be remembered merely as one event among the worldwide commemorative celebrations. He emphasised that it “must be a signpost that prompts remembrance, but also inspires a Reformation that continues, including by listening to the groans of creation.”
Gratitude for the stewardship of the LWF’s resources
Musa reminded the members of the LWF Council of their role in stewarding the resources useful to the LWF Communion Office (CO) and of its work. He thanked them for “our spirit of cooperation and commitment to the growth of our church communion, as well as to our witness in the world.” He likewise thanked the CO staff under the leadership of General Secretary Rev. Dr. Martin Junge for their faithfulness in implementing the Council’s decisions.
Speaking of the changes affecting churches globally and their impact on global cooperation among churches, the LWF President emphasised that “we are able to venture into the unknown and we are able to make very difficult decisions” as people who “know God’s voice,” walk in faith and trust “the Good Shepherd for guidance, counsel and protection.”
He concluded his address by emphasising that it is God’s voice that “calls us also to the slums, to the wounded, the marginalised and so many loved ones in depression and in a hopeless condition.”
Source: Lutheran World Federation news
Photo: LWF/A. Hillert