World churches leader challenges China on global poverty

-21/11/06

Increased power “mu


World churches leader challenges China on global poverty

-21/11/06

Increased power “must always signify increased accountability and increased responsibility,” said World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia in reference to the “challenges that come with the growing integration of the Chinese economy into the so-called world market, and the new role China assumes as a nation in global politics”.

In a public lecture at the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary on 17 November 2006, the third day of the WCC delegation’s visit to China, Dr Kobia addressed the issue of ëEcumenism in the 21st century, common witness in a globalized, but deeply divided worldí.

“We are living in an increasingly globalized world,” Dr Kobia said, “but this very fact has even further exposed and accentuated the still-existing divisions within humankind and our misuse of the gifts of creation. That kind of world needs healing.”

Acknowledging the reduction of poverty in China from 64 per cent of the population in 1981 to only 17 per cent by 2001, Kobia said he was “impressed by the way in which China eradicates poverty,” and wondered “how this example could be replicated in the countries whose efforts are less successful”. But he also asked to what extent China is “interested in eradication of global poverty just as it is interested in eradicating domestic poverty?”

“Could churches in China raise the issue of poverty eradication both within China and with regard to China’s role in global trade?” Dr Kobia challenged.

Taking the example of Africa, the WCC general secretary said that many Africans were “keen Ö that China’s increasing economic involvement with Africa should avoid the pitfalls that have characterized that continent’s relationships with the economies of the West”. “How,” he asked, “can China deal with Africa in a different way that will lead to a genuine eradication of poverty on that continent?”

Referring to WCC work on poverty, wealth and ecology, Dr Kobia said that people need to ask “where and when is there enough of economic growth and accumulation of wealth?” and suggested that “the Chinese people should be asking this question now, even at this point of their country’s economic growth”.

“An ethics of wealth and poverty is not strange territory,” Dr Kobia said in his closing remarks. “It belongs within the domain of biblical and theological studies. Because Nanjing Union Seminary is … known far beyond China for the quality of the theological education offered, faculty and students carry the burden of history and have the responsibility to ask these kinds of questions. The WCC believes you have an important contribution to make to the ecumenical movement in this regard, and would be willing to accompany you in studying these issues.”

Following his formal remarks, Dr Kobia engaged in a lively exchange with students on the role of evangelism in the ecumenical movement.

Earlier, Rev Dr Tyrone Pitts, general secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention USA, and a member of the WCC’s executive committee, in a chapel meditation suggested that “the challenge for us, today, is to be living water in a dying world, to seek unity in the midst of diversityÖ Because Jesus, the living water, lives – we can face tomorrow and provide living water to a dying world.”


World churches leader challenges China on global poverty

-21/11/06

Increased power “must always signify increased accountability and increased responsibility,” said World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia in reference to the “challenges that come with the growing integration of the Chinese economy into the so-called world market, and the new role China assumes as a nation in global politics”.

In a public lecture at the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary on 17 November 2006, the third day of the WCC delegation’s visit to China, Dr Kobia addressed the issue of ëEcumenism in the 21st century, common witness in a globalized, but deeply divided worldí.

“We are living in an increasingly globalized world,” Dr Kobia said, “but this very fact has even further exposed and accentuated the still-existing divisions within humankind and our misuse of the gifts of creation. That kind of world needs healing.”

Acknowledging the reduction of poverty in China from 64 per cent of the population in 1981 to only 17 per cent by 2001, Kobia said he was “impressed by the way in which China eradicates poverty,” and wondered “how this example could be replicated in the countries whose efforts are less successful”. But he also asked to what extent China is “interested in eradication of global poverty just as it is interested in eradicating domestic poverty?”

“Could churches in China raise the issue of poverty eradication both within China and with regard to China’s role in global trade?” Dr Kobia challenged.

Taking the example of Africa, the WCC general secretary said that many Africans were “keen Ö that China’s increasing economic involvement with Africa should avoid the pitfalls that have characterized that continent’s relationships with the economies of the West”. “How,” he asked, “can China deal with Africa in a different way that will lead to a genuine eradication of poverty on that continent?”

Referring to WCC work on poverty, wealth and ecology, Dr Kobia said that people need to ask “where and when is there enough of economic growth and accumulation of wealth?” and suggested that “the Chinese people should be asking this question now, even at this point of their country’s economic growth”.

“An ethics of wealth and poverty is not strange territory,” Dr Kobia said in his closing remarks. “It belongs within the domain of biblical and theological studies. Because Nanjing Union Seminary is … known far beyond China for the quality of the theological education offered, faculty and students carry the burden of history and have the responsibility to ask these kinds of questions. The WCC believes you have an important contribution to make to the ecumenical movement in this regard, and would be willing to accompany you in studying these issues.”

Following his formal remarks, Dr Kobia engaged in a lively exchange with students on the role of evangelism in the ecumenical movement.

Earlier, Rev Dr Tyrone Pitts, general secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention USA, and a member of the WCC’s executive committee, in a chapel meditation suggested that “the challenge for us, today, is to be living water in a dying world, to seek unity in the midst of diversityÖ Because Jesus, the living water, lives – we can face tomorrow and provide living water to a dying world.”