杏MAP导航

By Philippa Hitchen

The new head of the Lutheran World Federation says the visit by 杏MAP导航 Francis to Sweden for the n of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation marked a 鈥渢urning point鈥� in relations between the two world communions.

Speaking just after an audience in the Vatican, Nigerian Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus said he and his delegation were encouraged by the pope鈥檚 words and 鈥渇eel emboldened in our journey together鈥�.

The Lutheran leader said there was 鈥渁bsolutely no doubt that 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� visit to Malmö last year鈥� was a 鈥渧ery important turning point鈥� which 鈥渃emented our journey鈥�. Describing the visit as 鈥渁 precious gift鈥�, he said the pope鈥檚 presence 鈥渁lso opened new possibilities鈥� by modelling the way 鈥渨e really, in practice, turned towards one another鈥� instead of simply working side by side.

Archbishop Musa also talked about a pastoral approach to ecumenism and the need to provide accountability, as leaders, to inter-confessional families who yearn to 鈥渟hare more in worship,  in the Eucharist鈥�.

Christians combatting violence in Nigeria

Speaking of the role of the Churches in combatting extremism and violence in his native Nigeria, the archbishop said Lutherans, Catholics, Pentecostals and other Christians support the victims of violence by Boko Haram and other groups.

At the same time, he said, we try to diffuse tensions, 鈥渂y messages that counteract hate speeches that seem to be increasing鈥�. As Churches, he said, 鈥渨e have to come up with alternative messages鈥� that nations cannot be built on hatred and violence.

Building bridges of dialogue

The Churches also work together 鈥渆xtending hands of fellowship to other religious bodies鈥�, he added, exploring 鈥渉ow we can all together take responsibility for ensuring that peace and justice reigns in our country鈥�.

The Lutheran leader emphasized the need to build bridges, saying there is no alternative to dialogue. He added that religion only 鈥渂ecomes a problem insofar as people manipulate and misuse scripture and holy texts  for induvial needs and ambitions.

Gender justice in Church and society

Speaking of his focus on gender equality within the Church and within society, Archbishop Musa said that 鈥渢he issue of gender is rooted in our understating of what it means to be a human being鈥�. While he noted that not all Christian denominations hold the same views on the role of women in the Church, he said progress in the dialogue means 鈥渨e can talk about these differences in very friendly atmosphere鈥�

Growth of Churches in global south

 Finally, commenting on the growth of the Church in global south, the Lutheran leader said it鈥檚 鈥渘ot by human design鈥� but by the work of the Holy Spirit. The driving force, he said, is the participation of lay people, 鈥渟haring their stories鈥� and witnessing the love of God to others. He said Churches in the north should not 鈥渇all into despair鈥�, adding that 鈥渨e have to work together and pray for each other鈥�.