Give direction, promote peace and human rights
Conflict and insecurity, the climate crisis, and a shrinking civic space in African societies. These were some of the crises highlighted by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President and leader of The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa and other African church leaders as they reflected on the work and context of Lutheran churches in Africa.
During the regional Pre-Assembly, taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from 8 to 12 May, Archbishop Musa was joined by young activists, academics, LWF staff and other delegates to discuss regional joys and challenges, in preparation for the LWF Assembly coming up in Krakow Poland in September.
He explained that many people who flee from violence are forced to live under unbearable conditions in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps and this affects the identity of children born in the camps. “These challenges disrupt social structures and stability, resulting in fear, displacement, and loss of life.”
In his presentation, the LCCN Archbishop also expressed concern that the democratic and civic space in many African countries is shrinking dramatically. The prophetic voice of the church, he said, is urgently needed to give new direction and to promote peace and human rights.
Speaking about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, the Archbishop Musa noted the increase in sexual violence and domestic violence, and he called on the churches to work for gender justice through the transformation of societies. He said the challenges “also affect governance, economic development, education, healthcare, gender equality, social well-being of families, and infrastructure, worsening other existing challenges in many African nations.”