Statement of the World Communion of Reformed Churches on the death of His Excellency, Nelson Mandela

''He will be missed in this life, but his impact will continue.''

We received the news of the passing on from this life of his Excellency Nelson “Madiba” Mandela with a deep sense of sorrow and at the same time with gratitude to God for giving such a remarkable man to the world for 95 years.

The World Communion of Reformed Churches stands together with his family, with South Africans and with millions of people all over the world in mourning his death.

We give thanks to God for the impact Nelson “Madiba” Mandela has made in his lifetime as a leader.  We give thanks to God for his prophetic leadership and example as a courageous leader who exposed and defied the very vicious evil of apartheid and paid a heavy price for it. Yet, at the threshold of victory over apartheid, he was gracious and proved to be the icon of reconciliation as he moved all of South Africa into a new era characterised by freedom and justice, an era in which South Africa’s multi-racial and multi-ethnic population can begin to build community together harmoniously.  Nelson Mandela was the inspiring hands-on leader whose vision, life and example fostered the reconciling community that the world needs.

His one-term presidency of South Africa set a high standard of leadership not only for South Africa, but for the whole continent of Africa – indeed for the whole world. His impact for decades before he became president, during his presidency and since he left office as president will be difficult to match by any other political leader. The World Communion of Reformed Churches and its antecedents are very happy that we participated in the campaigns for his release from prison when he was unjustly incarcerated, and for our actions towards exposing and dismantling the evil apartheid systems. The impact of Nelson Mandela made us doubly satisfied that we made these commitments.

The Nelson Mandela foundation continues to impact society for good, and will add to the many legacies of Nelson Mandela. He will be missed in this life, but his impact will continue.

As we thank God for his life, contributions and impact, we pray for strength and comfort for Mme Graça Machel and the entire family of our beloved Nelson” Madiba” Mandela.

On behalf of the leadership and member churches of the World Communion of Reformed Churches we offer our condolences to the entire family and to the nation of South Africa as we mourn the death of a beloved and good leader whose impact has been felt all over the world – a person who knew and understood suffering, and who walked with those who suffer, and as a leader modelled selfless commitment to building reconciling communities.

Sincerely yours,

Rev. Dr. Jerry Pillay
President

Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi
General Secretary

 

Evangelische Nachrichten aus Tschechien

Nachrichten aus der EKBB auf Deutsch und Englisch
Bulletin der Evangelischen Kirche der Böhmischen Brüder (EKBB), der Diakonie der Evangelischen Kirche der Böhmischen Brüder und der Evangelisch-Theologischen Fakultät der Karlsuniversität als PDF auf www.srcce.cz

Barbara Schenck

Presbyterian Church of Wales: Rückzug der britischen Truppen aus Afghanistan gefordert

Moderator Rev Haydn Thomas: Terrorismus mit Terrorismus zu beantworten ist keine Antwort
''In his final address as Moderator, the Rev Haydn Thomas will tell the Church’s General Assembly that Prime Minister Gordon Brown should return to his roots as son of the manse by basing his foreign policy on Christian principles'', meldete Christian Today am 8. September 2009.

Barbara Schenck

Globaler Dialog in Südafrika: Krise als Chance für eine Bewegung für soziale Gerechtigkeit

Mohau Pheko: current crisis is ''a spectacular failure'' of the current system
(WARC) The global financial crisis is a golden opportunity for a movement for economic justice according to a South African businesswoman and political economist.

Barbara Schenck

Vollversammlung des ÖRK 2013 in Korea: Chance für Dialog mit Evangelikalen und Pfingstkirchen

''Beitrag für die friedliche Aussöhnung und Wiedervereinigung'' des geteilten Koreas
Der am 31. August vom Zentralausschuss beschlossene Veranstaltungsort für die nächste Vollversammlung des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen (ÖRK) in der südkoreanischen Hafenstadt Busan im Jahr 2013 bietet nach Ansicht des Vorsitzenden des internationalen Ausschusses des Nationalen Kirchenrats in Korea (NCCK), Pfarrer Dr. Jong-Wha Park, besondere Chancen für einen verstärkten Dialog mit den evangelikalen und Pfingstkirchen in Korea.

Ökumenischer Rat der Kirchen - Nachrichten, 1. September 2009

Internationale Konsultation Südafrika: Reformierte Kirchen analysieren Auswirkungen der globalen Wirtschaftskrise

Vizepräsident Weusmann (ERK) erinnert an ständigen Dialog zwischen Kirchen in Deutschland und Südafrika
(WARC/RWB, 2. September 2009). Eine Zusammenkunft von reformierten Kirchen weltweit beginnt diese Woche in Johannesburg, Südafrika; im Zentrum der Debatten wird die Rolle stehen, die die Kirchen bei dem Ruf nach wirtschaftlicher Gerechtigkeit und Schutz der Umwelt zu spielen haben.

Pressemitteilung des Reformierten Weltbundes

Internationale Calvin-Konferenz in Budapest

Ein Bericht von Lajos Békefy
Europäische Wissenschaftler haben sich in Budapest zu einem internationalen Calvin-Symposium getroffen. Die Fachtagung mit über 200 Vorlesungen fand statt im Rahmen der Jahresversammlung des Kollegium der Doktoren der Reformierten Kirche Ungarns vom 24. bis 28 August 2009.

Dr. Lajos Békefy
(WARC, Juli 2009) Christians are increasingly articulate critics of economic, social and environmental abuse. What is often missing for ordinary people in those critiques is an idea of what they can do to make a difference at home, in their parishes and in the broader community.
(WARC, 25. August 2009) The Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu will be following God's will by taking a leading role in efforts to reverse the effects of climate change according to the leader of a global alliance of Reformed churches.

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Tuesday, 25 August 2009, 9:04 (EST)

Calvin als Aktivist für den Umweltschutz

Vor 453 Jahren verurteilte der Reformator das Roden von Wäldern
Das Roden von Bäumen sei eine ''Grausamkeit'', die besonders unter Christen zu finden sei, habe Calvin schon 1555 gepredigt, sagte Setri Nyomi, Generalsekretär des Reformierten Weltbundes auf einem Seminar in Vanuatu.

Barbara Schenck

'Jene 14 Tage kann man nicht vergessen'

Wie ungarische Pfarrer DDR-Flüchtlinge betreuten
1989 bröckelte die Mauer nach Ungarn. Beim „paneuropäischen Picknick“ flohen über 600 DDR-Bürger. Lajos Békefy erinnert sich an die Tage als Pfarrer im Flüchtlingslager.

Lajos Békefy