Christians commit to being instruments of change against racism

An international gathering of Christians has committed to being instruments of change in a concerted effort to tackle racism.

The Churches Against Racism conference, held in Doorn, near Utrecht in the Netherlands, brought together some 50 church leaders, activists and theologians. The conference was organised by World Council of Churches in cooperation with the Council of Churches in the Netherlands, the Dutch migrant church association SKIN, missionary and diaconal agency KerkinActie, the interchurch organisation for development cooperation ICCO and ecumenical advocacy group Oikos.

In a joint statement, the delegates said: "We believe that this is a moment where we are invited by God to commit ourselves to be instruments of change in the church and the wider society."

The message was read in the presence of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands during a closing worship service.

It continued: "We believe God is calling members of the church to action with and on behalf of the marginalised, the poor and the many who face exclusion."

The delegates described the global economic crisis, climate change and "systemic exclusion" as the elements of a "three-fold crisis" creating a need as well as an opportunity for change.

The participants looked at the problems faced by migrants and minority groups such as the Roma in Europe, discrimination based on the colour of one's skin, the disregard for land rights of indigenous peoples, and Dalits being treated as "untouchables" in India.

Earlier in the conference, WCC General Secretary the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia urged Christians to live out the core message in Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan and treat others as their neighbours.

Although the Samaritan had no obligation to help the Jew, his sworn enemy, he “acted contrary to the universal expectations and against his own cultural history and community interest”, said Dr Kobia.

“He showed mercy in spite of it all,” he added. “The Good Samaritan showed mercy when he could have exacted rough justice.”

The conference, held in Doorn, near Utrecht in the Netherlands, marked the 40th anniversary of the WCC’s Combat Racism campaign to assist the victims of racial discrimination in different parts of the world, most prominently in South Africa under the apartheid regime.