A document from the World Council of Churches entitled AGAPE – A Call To Love And Action, asks churches "to act together for transformation of economic injustice." The document summarizes the results of the work done by the WCC and its ecumenical partners on economic globalization since its eighth assembly in Harare in 1998.
"A world without poverty is not only possible but is in keeping with the grace of God for the world," states the document. This idea played a central role at the ninth assembly of the WCC, held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from Feb. 14 to 23.
The call, in the form of a prayer, invited assembly participants to recommit themselves to work "for the eradication of poverty and inequality", "for justice in international trade relations" and "for responsible lending, unconditional debt cancellation and the control and regulation of global financial markets."
Preservation of natural resources and bio-diversity, resistance against privatization of public goods and services, promotion of land reforms, advocacy for decent jobs and just wages, and a firm faith stance against hegemonic powers are among the recommitments to which the call is inviting churches and the wider ecumenical movement.
The WCC is a fellowship of 347 churches in more than 120 countries from virtually all Christian traditions.
To read the declaration, see the WCC website – www.oikoumene.org.
– AM with files from the WCC
