Press Releases21 Nov 13

Bishop Alan Abernethy’s Reflections on 10th WCC Assembly, Korea

The Rt Revd Alan Abernethy spoke to the Church of Ireland Press Officer, Paul Harron. This interview also appears in the current edition of The Church of Ireland Gazette (22 November 2013). The Church of Ireland Gazette (15 November) carried a detailed report on the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches which met in Busan, Republic of Korea from 30 October to 8 November. Bishop Alan Abernethy’s election at the Assembly to the 150–member Central Committee of the WCC, the main decision–making body which meets between Assemblies, was also reported – Bishop Abernethy will attend its next meeting in Geneva in July 2014.

Bishop Abernethy (pictured right, preaching in Busan Cathderal) sums up his experience of the WCC meeting in three words: Inspiring, Disturbing and Challenging. The Assembly’s theme was ‘God of life, lead us to justice and peace’ and at its close the WCC called for a recommitment in the search for unity in faith and – ‘in a time of economic, ecological, socio–political and spiritual challenges’ – issued a renewed invitation for all to ‘join in pilgrimage’ towards churches becoming ‘communities of healing and compassion’ so that ‘we may seed the Good News so that justice will grow and God’s deep peace rest on the world’. The WCC Assembly Message is available at www.oikoumene.org

PH: In what ways was the meeting in Busan Inspiring?
AA: The Assembly brought together 5,000 people from 110 countries – the sheer extent of the mix of people and the sense of the vastness of the Christian community was extraordinary, so it was a joy to be among so many people of faith. It was also encouraging to worship, study and debate with others from around the world. I was particularly inspired every morning as we prayed the Lord’s Prayer together each in our own local language.

The worship was also inspirational. Celebrating diverse traditions, it included litanies and songs from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the Pacific. The African and South American songs were good for the soul, while Taize refrains were movingly reflective. Morning worship was a wonderful window into the worldwide church.

To be aware of the frustrations and difficulties of people living and praying in difficult places helped bring a perspective to our situation. We are blessed in what we have and it was good to be reminded of this and how we can be encouraged by others. I found it inspiring to speak with Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town on how South Africa’s journey to peace has involved victims telling their stories as an essential element – an issue still unresolved in Northern Ireland.

The plenary sessions every morning stand out as highlights. One of the memorable (and, in its way, amusing) quotes was in the peace plenary, when an American Brethren leader told us of a car sticker that said: ‘When Jesus told us to love our enemies he probably meant don’t kill them’.

There were also welcome opportunities to meet as regional delegates and as confessional delegates. The Anglican gathering was based around a dinner preceded by Eucharist at which Archbishop Justin Welby preached. It was also interesting to hear from Archbishop Diarmuid Martin who was present (as outgoing co–moderator of the Joint Working Group for Relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the WCC).

PH: And how was it Disturbing?
AA: It was disturbing because it is obvious that we there are deep divisions in the body of Christ that we need to take seriously.

There is something of a clash of cultures between the ‘democratic West’ and more conservative societies and the Eastern Orthodox Churches. In some ways, Anglicans can act as a bridge Church, perhaps. We recognised that there are also important inter–faith issues to work through in varying contexts; also environmental issues – some people face the prospect of land disappearing – and concerns over both nuclear power and contamination. And, of course, we were acutely conscious of war and division – from Syria, for example, to the complex and unsettling setting of Korea itself.

Busan, a highly urbanised city with visible opulence everywhere (and very little birdsong, I noticed), also brought wealth and poverty into sharp relief. We heard deeply disturbing details about injustices particularly for the poor and marginalised and those who have no voice around the world.

One comment form a 19–year old girl from Malawi who is HIV/Aids positive was received by a standing ovation, and will stay with me: ‘HIV/Aids is not a punishment from God it is a disease’.

PH: And in what ways Challenging?
AA: In my own bible study group there were delegates from Syria, Lebanon, Jerusalem, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Europe, North America, Africa, the Caribbean and Korea. This constantly posed the question as to how much of our biblical interpretation is based on our culture rather on the text which led to some interesting discussions. However, it’s clear that people are ‘doing’ faith in all sorts of different places and we strengthened one another as we shared together.

Overall, I was challenged to renew my commitment to work and pray for the unity that Christ prayed for and wishes for his body here on earth. This is something that the WCC is seeking to facilitate and I am delighted to be able to share something of that journey through my attendance and now in my election to the Central Committee. I believe that as Anglicans we have something special to offer.

The next assembly is to take place in eight years at a venue to be decided by the Central committee.

For further personal reflections on Bishop Abernethy’s time in Busan, see his blog entries in the News section of the Connor website: www.connordiocese.org.uk