BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM
Ecumenism is when Christians from different denominations come together with the purpose of strengthening their relationship as followers of Christ.
The celebration of the 2020 week of prayer for Christian Unity offers once again a unique moment for different churches to commune together and review ties from the view of a true Christian perspective. It invites Christians to reflect not as Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist or Pentecostal but as one people in Christ with the vocation to bring peace, love, hope and joy.
Because there are people in need of clothing and others in need of shelter,
Because the hungry are yearning for food and satisfaction and the down trodden gasping for freedom; ecumenism becomes relevant so that Christians of whatever faith evaluate themselves in the light of the very teachings of Christ- If you love me feed my sheep.
At a time in the northwest and South west regions of Cameroon where division is rife with the bitter experience of human beings being killed, hard earned property vandalised, kidnappings on the rise, children without stewards, pregnant women and the weak being tormented and girls and women being raped, it is a moment for Christ’s faithful to bond together in communiom and stand out as people of the light who care about God’s good creation.
As true witnesses of God’s splendour and as people who are one in Christ, Christians must reassert their common identity as members of God’s kingdom and find ways of working together in the light of that identity. It is here that the virtue of truth can be affirmed in one voice. It is on this pedestal that the peace of the lord is felt.
Pope Francis puts it that ecumenism requires Christians to walk together, work together and pray together.
The theme of the 2020 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity “They showed us their usual kindness” Acts:28:2 draws Christians to work together and extend the call of Christ by love of God and love of neighbor.
It is a call for charity and hospitality that behoves Christians to work towards a common Christian culture. A culture that if lived out would breathe peace, soothe pain and relieve grudges.
Ecumenism thus cuts across denominational strata with the need for the Baptised to form a vibrant and prayerful witness for Christian Unity by simple acts of virtue that identify Christians as one in Christ.
May the celebration of the 2020 Week of prayer for Christian Unity January 22 -25 bring renewal to God’s children for a harmonious coexistence