By Jerry Van Marter
Harare, 3 December (ENI)--Logistical difficulties and last-minute tensions were left behind this afternoon as almost 5000 participants gathered under an enormous tent on the University of Zimbabwe campus for the opening worship service of the eighth assembly of the World Council of Churches.

Pulsating African rhythms greeted the throng and the global nature of event was quickly established as scripture, prayer and song were lifted in myriad languages, including a climactic simultaneous reciting of the Lord's Prayer in scores of different tongues.

A threatened boycott of assembly worship by Orthodox delegates - who are engaged in intense dialogue with WCC officials over Orthodox participation in the organisation - seemed to have been put aside by most Orthodox churches as several leading Orthodox clergy conducted portions of the service and the congregation was liberally sprinkled with Orthodox worshippers -- clearly recognisable by their distinctive dress.

The importance of holding this assembly in Africa was repeatedly stressed during the service. In his greeting, Enos Chomutiri, president of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, expressed his "joy and gratitude" at being chosen to host "this special event".

In response, WCC general secretary Konrad Raiser praised the decision to keep the assembly in Harare, despite growing unrest in Zimbabwe and repeated setbacks in negotiations for the assembly with local officials. "There have been many roadblocks, but we have stayed together until this beginning," said Dr Raiser, who has been one of the most vigorous supporters of the choice of Harare as the site for the assembly. "Now we turn it over to God, hoping for both the success of this assembly and that we may bring a message of hope to the people of Zimbabwe, who face an uncertain future."

Solidarity with the people of Africa - and with oppressed people throughout the world - was echoed by the opening preacher, Eunice Santana who is a president of the WCC president and a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) from Puerto Rico. "We rejoice in being in mother Africa," she said, "which has been stepped on by the mighty, but loved by God."

Recalling the biblical story of Jesus' healing of the crippled woman (Luke 13:10-17), Santana said the acts of Jesus "create everywhere the ability to stand up straight and give praise to God". Moreover, she continued, the story reminds us of "the women, men and children who have been bent over by slavery, by oppression, by colonialism."

Citing statistics on the growing impoverishment, particularly of women and children, all over the world, Santana insisted, "None of this is God's doing - it's human actions."

Sounding the jubilee theme of this assembly, which marks the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the WCC, Santana concluded: "Now all the international debts are being carefully counted, but where was the human accounting when colonialism crushed the people?" [484 words]

Photographs of the assembly are available from Photo Oikoumene

Related sites:

WCC Assembly Web Site

Photo Oikoumene

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