Connect with People Struggling for Justice, Reformed Church Told

There is no such thing as a comfortable pew for Reformed Christians who want to answer God's call to bear witness that a world of justice is possible.

That was the message delivered to the 163rd convocation of Knox College at the University of Toronto on 9 May by Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, Executive Secretary of the Office for Church Renewal, Justice and Partnership of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.

"No longer can the church sit comfortably in chapels and cathedrals while people are engaged in a struggle for survival against heavy odds. The church needs to find its way to a greater connection with people and communities and in their search for meaning in life.

"It needs to break down barriers of gender, race, religion, nationality and class as it confronts forces of evil and challenges principalities and powers in order to forge a common understanding on issues, struggles and strategies."

In her address, entitled "The Spirit That Groans Within Us: the Challenge of Being Semper Reformanda Churches," Sheerattan-Bisnauth said Reformed theology must connect with the popular resistance movements of today and become conversant with the struggles of the oppressed.

Reformed churches should always be reforming and they must help create a world where there is dignity and freedom, peace and harmony, love and compassion - ideals subscribed to by all religions.

"You are called to be midwives in this birthing process where a true and common humanity can emerge from within the ongoing struggle of people for liberation - liberation for all from hunger, tyranny, corruption, domination, exploitation and oppression."

Sheerattan-Bisnauth traced the history of the "dangerous convergence of imperialism and Christianity" that has manifested itself worldwide in church support of colonialism, the slave trade and the current so-called war on terror.

"Today the face of empire has different configurations, contours and expressions. It rages in brutal aggression with its operation of military and economic conquests with its eye on global hegemony," she said.

"This deadly pursuit marks its presence with bloodshed, death and destruction, aiming to quash the spirit of its enemies as women, men and children cry out in utter desperation, losing hope in the midst of death, displacement and imprisonment."

However Sheerattan-Bisnauth said there are signs that the church is beginning to build important alliances with peoples' movements, mentioning in particular the ecumenical presence at the World Social Forum and campaigns against racism, HIV/AIDS and environmental destruction.

"This is your time," she told graduates. "It is a time to envision, reform and reclaim the church as a community which is truly part of the vision of God's new creation, drawn by God's future and not coopted into the empire of today."