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Heidleberg, Germany
Mennonite attends launch of WCC’s Decade to Overcome Violence in Indonesia


Fernando Enns, a Mennonite from Germany serving on the World Council of Churches’ Central Committee, was invited in November to attend a meeting in Indonesia to launch the WCC’s “Decade to Overcome Violence” in Asia. Enns was chosen because he was instrumental in getting this significant peace commitment approved at the 1998 WCC’s assembly in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The WCC is an international fellowship of 330 churches, denominations and fellowships in 100 countries throughout the world that advocates the ecumenical movement, works to restore unity within churches and promote reconciliation.

In connection with the “Decade to Overcome Violence” launch, the Indonesian Communion of Churches (Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja Indonesia) and several Muslim associations organized a seminar entitled, “Reconciliation in Indonesia”.

“This move signals a turning of the tide in Indonesia,” said Enns. Forces within the different religions in this country have come to realize the danger of political manipulation and have started to bank on the peace-giving spirit within their religions by entering into dialogue with one another.”

Enns said that religion is often abused in the interest of politics.

As part of the reconciliation seminar, Christian participants were invited to the Muslim Center of Nahdatul Ulama (NU), the country’s largest and politically most influential Muslim organization. Up until his election, Indonesia’s current president Wahid was the leader of this association of 40 million members.

Enns sees the invitation of Christians to the NU as significant. He was given the opportunity to deliver greetings from the WCC and the Mennonite churches to this circle and to explain what the “Decade to Overcome Violence” is about.

Enns said that during his brief visit he understood some of the courage of those in attendance. For instance, a delegate from Ambon spoke about her work with abused women.

“In the upheavals of civil war,” said Enns, “it is primarily the women who emerge damaged, both physically and psychologically, as the chief victims of inconceivable atrocities. Some children do not go to school anymore because their parents are afraid they will be attacked. This delegate is looking for people who will support her in her endeavour to reintegrate women and children into a form of life which is bearable.”

Enns, who teaches ecumenical studies and systematic theology at Heidelberg University, said that he thinks churches can do more than simply condemn violence. They need to promote active peacemaking in order to create a “culture of peace”.

 – Larry Kehler, Mennonite World Conference

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Last modified March 7, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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