Denominations Meet for Christian Code on Religious Conversion
The joint Vatican-World Council of Churches study process on religious conversion gets one step closer to its goal of a common code of conduct in seeking converts to Christianity.
Posted: Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 8:55 (BST)
With Evangelical and Pentecostal representatives joining in at an 8-12 August consultation in Toulouse, the joint Vatican-World Council of Churches study process on religious conversion gets one step closer to its goal of a common code of conduct in seeking converts to Christianity.
Kicked off in May last year at a meeting that affirmed freedom of religion as a "non-negotiable" human right valid for everyone everywhere and at the same time stressed that the "obsession of converting others" needs to be cured, the three-year joint study process moves now into its second phase.
Intended as an intra-Christian discussion - whereas the first encounter featured participants from different faiths - the project's second phase will consist of a high-level theological consultation entitled "Towards an ethical approach to conversion: Christian witness in a multi-religious world". The consultation will take place at the Institute of Science and Theology of Religions (ISTR) in Toulouse, France, from 8-12 August.
At the consultation, some 30 Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Pentecostal and Evangelical theologians and church representatives will aim to articulate what a common code of conduct on religious conversion should look like from a Christian viewpoint.
"Conversion is a controversial issue not only in interreligious relations, but in intra-Christian relations as well", says Rev. Dr Hans Ucko, WCC's programme executive for inter-religious dialogue and cooperation. "In Latin America it is a source of tension between the Roman Catholic Church and the Pentecostal movement, while in other regions Orthodox churches often feel 'targeted' by some Protestant missionary groups."
"Since there are many accusations of 'sheep stealing' among Christians we will most likely also focus on this issue. The consultation in Toulouse will be the opportunity for doing so", Ucko adds.
Scheduled speakers at the consultation are: Prof. Dr Thomas Schirrmacher, World Evangelical Alliance (WEA); Bishop Dr Tony Richie, Church of God (Pentecostal); Fr Dr Fiorello Mascarenhas, SJ (Roman Catholic Church); and Rev. Dr Hermen Shastri (WCC). The Catholic Archbishop of Toulouse, Mgr Robert Le Gall, will also be present.
The three-year study project jointly undertaken by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the WCC's programme on inter-religious dialogue and cooperation bears the name: "An interreligious reflection on conversion: From controversy to a shared code of conduct". It was launched in May 2006 in Lariano/Velletri, near Rome, and aims to produce a code of conduct on religious conversion commonly agreed among Christians by 2010.
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Friday, August 24, 2007, 19:35 (BST)
This is just another sign of the last days
Bill, Dayto, Ohio
Added: Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 1:36 (BST)
This is no surprise. The Vatican has no authority over true believers in Christ. They have promoted lies for centuries. Those of us who tell the truth to their "sheep" just grow greener grass, we do not steal the sheep, they come into our fields of their own accord. The Bible makes it clear there are dark times ahead and it is obvious that Roman Catholicism will be at the forefront of the persecution we shall face. We know there will be apostacy and tribulation as the world nears Jesus' return, any "Church" that colludes with Rome in these negotiations will be hearing those awful words "Depart from me, I never knew you".
Jesus said we should work whilst it is still day, so Let us do our part to proclaim the truth while we still can. Any apparrent success of this collusion will be short lived. God is not mocked. He IS victorious.
Mai, UK
Added: Sunday, August 19, 2007, 6:50 (BST)
So last year, freedom of religion was a non-negotiable human right, but now? What if your religion is grounded on sharing it with others as Truth? Orthodox Christians believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, Jesus Christ proclaims Himself to be one with and the only way to the Father, died for all mankind's sins to make that way possible, then told us explicitly before His ascension to preach this good news to every human before He returns. A Christian's "code of conduct" is the Bible, understood, believed and acted upon by and through the Holy Spirit, not what other people tell them it needs to be. A Christian who is being led by God will say the truth in love, but sometimes truth is divisive. If a Catholic is truly born again, they will rejoice in that reality, and if a person is truly seeking God, He will reveal Himself through His Holy Spirit and the power of Scripture and many times He uses Christians to share the Gospel in deeds of love and His words.
Celia, Vancouver, USA
Added: Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 11:11 (BST)
First of all, Catholics are not Christians. Second, the reason that the Catholic Church has really been pushing this lately is because their followers have either been leaving the church for secularism or for the Lord Jesus Christ, especially in South America.
Pedro, Holy Land
