April 6, 2003
by Manuel Quintero

BAD SEGEBERG - Participants reaffirmed their commitment to place themselves at the service of God's mission and called on all Churches to join this effort at the end of a consultation on mission and cooperation that brought together representatives from 22 countries in Europe and Latin America.

In a letter to Churches on two continents, participants at the Bad Segeberg meeting recognized that both continents need to deepen the missionary practice and the concept that defines it so that Churches can live it in an integral manner.

The document affirms that healing and reconciliation are necessary in both continents, in particular to heal the painful memory of a coercive and oppressive mission that still persists in certain contexts.

The document also laments that there are still tendencies to separate service and mission.

While different theological and Church perspectives emerged during the meeting, the document emphasized that the unity marking the event revealed the wealth of gifts available for mission.

Among possible actions to continue and broaden the process that began in Bad Segeberg, the document mentions sharing knowledge and experience in the mission field, inter-cultural Bible studies and prayer.

It also proposes that Churches collaborate with the Christian Diaspora in Europe and Latin America, both regarding migrants as well as integrating contributions to mission in the two continents. They also suggest working in new manners to share resources and stimulate the creation of ecumenical forums on mission.

In a brief paragraph the letter refers to the current war in Iraq, calling it a sad manifestation of human arrogance.

Harmony and spirituality

In evaluating the consultation, Dr. Ofelia Ortega was particularly positive. Europeans and Latin Americans have never lived in such harmony. I would define the consultation as a meeting with an extraordinary spirituality and at the same time an appropriate level of reflection on mission and cooperation, she said.

Rumanian Orthodox Bishop Petronio Floria had a similar evaluation stating that the consultation was an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas with Europe and Latin America about mission and cooperation.

I hope that this type of consultation is repeated in the near future. Not only do we have to learn more from each other, but we also have to try and improve our relationship, in particular between Latin America and Eastern Europe, he said.

Costa Rican Pastor Nidia Fonseca was positive about the harmony between Europeans and Latin Americans and among the different represented Churches.

This has been an experience marked by tolerance and maturity, with a great deal of willingness to express spirituality without prejudice, she said.

For his part, the Anglican Bishop of Portugal, the Rev. Fernando Soares, said that the consultation was highly important, as it was the first time that representatives from Churches on the two continents joined together to define plans in terms of mission and cooperation.

However, he added a note of caution. What remains to be seen is how to implement all these things we talked about. We must assume the commitment and the challenge with a great deal of responsibility, he said.

On Sunday participants attended a worship service in the Lutheran Cathedral of L|beck. Bishop Julio Cesar Holguin, president of the Latin American Council of Churches briefly explained the reasons for the Bad Segeberg meeting and thanked German Churches for their hospitality.

As well as a letter to Churches in Europe and Latin America, a small commission will work to produce a document that will gather the main Biblical and theological reflections shared at the event.

Agencia Latinoamericana y Caribeqa de Comunicacisn (ALC)