Catholic Participation in the 4th Global Gathering of the Global Christian Forum
The 4th Global Gathering of the Global Christian Forum took place from April 16 to 19, 2024, in Accra, Ghana, under the theme "That the World May Know" (John 17:23b). The event was hosted at the Accra Ridge Church, an inter-denominational Christian center.
Over 240 participants from 60 different countries convened over four days, representing a wide array of Christian traditions, including Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Independent churches, and international ecumenical organisations. This diversity showcased the breadth and richness of the Christian family. The program comprised common worship, Bible studies, theological reflections in plenaries, and panel discussions, all aimed at exploring how to collectively bear witness to Christ in today’s world. In line with the GCF tradition, significant emphasis was placed on sharing personal and ecclesial faith stories within international and inter-confessional groups. Through a series of daily themes, participants delved into what it means for Christians worldwide to be 'One in God,' 'Broken in humanity,' 'Healed through Christ,' and 'Sent by God.' As part of the program, participants also visited Cape Coast Castle, one of the "slave castles" erected on the Gold Coast of West Africa (now Ghana) by European traders. During a ceremony of Lament and Reconciliation held at the Methodist Cathedral of the city, attendees acknowledged the complicity of many churches in the sin of slave trading and sought forgiveness and reconciliation.
More than 20 Catholics, including laypersons, ordained clergy, and members of various religious communities and Catholic movements from different continents, attended the gathering and actively engaged in various aspects of the program. Archbishop Flavio Pace, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, extended greetings to the participants and underscored the significance of the GCF in fostering an ecumenical spirit among all Christian families. Recognising the celebration of its 25th anniversary, he commended the GCF for providing an “open space” where Christians from diverse traditions can periodically convene to nurture mutual respect, share personal and ecclesial faith stories, address common challenges and aspirations, and explore innovative ways of promoting Christian unity amidst significant shifts in global Christianity.
A number of Catholics participated in facilitating table discussions, sharing personal faith narratives, and offering reflections on each day's themes. Notably, on Thursday, Professor Katherine Shirk-Lucas contributed to a panel discussion, providing insights from a Catholic viewpoint on the overarching theme of the Gathering. Reverend Mahe Chammas, Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Ghana, attended the opening ceremony.
Members of the official DPCU delegation included (in alphabetical order):
- Reverend Fr Clement Adjei, Secretary General, National Catholic Secretariat (Ghana)
- Reverend Andrzej Choromanski, Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (Vatican/Poland)
- Reverend Father Miguel Desjardins, ccn, National Service for Christian Unity Conference of Bishops of France
- Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie (Accra, Ghana)
- Ms Stella Marilene Nishimbwe, Focolare Movement (Burundi)
- Sister Sandrine Nourry, Community of Chemin Neuf (Belgium)
- Bishop Samuel Nkuah-Boateng (Wiawso, Ghana)
- Archbishop Flavio Pace, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (Vatican)
- Reverend Jean Germain Rajoelison, SECAM (Ghana)
- Ms. Katherine Shirk Katherine Lynn, Head of Studies, Higher Institute of Ecumenical Studies (France)
- Bishop Andrzej Siemieniewski (Legnica, Poland)
- Mr Nathan Smith, Director of Ecumenism, Glenmary Home Missioners (USA)
- Mgr Juan Usma Gómez, Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (Vatican/Colombia)
- Reverend Dr Rouphael Zgheib, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Lebanon (Lebanon).
The last Global Gathering with Catholic participation was held in Bogota, Colombia, in 2018.
Photos: per gentile concessione del COE.