By Jerry Van Marter
Harare, 14 December (ENI)--With no debate or dissent, the eighth assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 12 December confirmed its commitment to Africa and rejected criticisms and negative views of the continent, stressing that "the emphasis should be positive, leaving behind the notes of fatalism, despair and helplessness which tend to characterise some attitudes and responses".

The 900-plus delegates at the assembly agreed to place "a special emphasis" on Africa and pledged to "support, accompany and help the churches and people of Africa as they address such problems as corrupt governments, crushing international debt, poverty, human rights abuses, war, famine, fragmentation of their societies and cultures and the scourge of HIV/Aids".

The assembly also instructed its central committee to carry forward the work of the WCC's "Reconstructing Africa" programme of dialogue and study, which concluded in 1997 and was designed to educate churches outside Africa about the continent, to develop greater solidarity between African and non-African churches and to "enable Africa to make the unique contribution it has to offer to the world ecumenical movement".

The assembly declared that holding its meeting on African soil "gives us the opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to the African dream and agenda for the 21st century".

It made special mention of the "hospitality and courtesy of the churches and people of Zimbabwe and singled out for special praise ZACT, a popular theatre company in Harare which dramatised the historical and present struggle of the Zimbabwean people in a performance earlier in the assembly. [265 words]

Photographs of the assembly are available from Photo Oikoumene

Related sites:

WCC Assembly Web Site

Photo Oikoumene

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