(Ökumenischer Kirchentag) - Theme: You shall be a blessing.It is a long tradition that both mainline Churches in Germany have their bi-annual Conventions. At such occasions the life of the Church is represented in form of stands, solemn and simple church services and talks and discussions by prominent people on relevant contemporary themes. As an example: White Fathers and White Sisters had a prominent stand during the last Catholic Convention in Hamburg in June 2000 which presented our mission in Africa and Germany. In order to draw attention a famous Ghanaian drummer, who is a good friend of the Afrika Center Berlin, was employed with the effect that 50 - 80 people were attracted easily to African style of prayer, singing and dancing. A group of migrants from Sudan also invited for prayer and attention to the situation in Southern Sudan.
For some years, reflections have been going on to bring the two conventions together for an ecumenical event in 2003. The final decision has been reached with great caution as the first attempt of an ecumenical gathering in 1973 in the city of Augsburg has not been a success and ended in disharmony (disillusionment). Even now during the months of preparation the general mood is cool and subdued, all the more so as a common celebration of the Lord's Supper/Eucharist is not allowed. The Bishops have taken a clear stand in this. All the same it is expected that such celebrations will take place. Theologian Hans Küng has even pointed out in an interview given to the Spiegel Magazine that the time is ripe for a common Lord's Supper.
Cardinal Sterzinsky of Berlin addressed this situation in a circular to Catholic Parishes when he writes: "Well in advance to the Convention the expectation has been voiced out to practice eucharistic community and hospitality. It pains us that this is not possible at this time. As long as the ecumenical partners contradict one another in their basic convictions unity at the table of the Lord will not be authentic."
Even if this is an important aspect of ecumenism it is not the only one. There will be numerous other events and stations like: An ecumenical opening service at the Brandenburg Gate, the famous landmark of Berlin, Evening of Encounter with so many groups, foreign parishes and African Churches, regular hours of prayer and ecumenical services in many churches of Berlin, services of blessings and anointing, a hall of ecumenical encounter, numerous stands of ecumenical church activities and organisations, talks and discussions with prominent theologians and politicians.
Some Confrères will be involved in the celebrations. Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald M.Afr. has announced his coming and will stay in our community. He will participate in a round table discussion on inter-religious dialogue. On a similar level Alois Schmid M.Afr. will be instrumental in a Centre of Encounter between Christians and Muslims for an inter-religious day with dialogue and prayer (St. Thomas Church). Some members of the Catholic Ghanaian community will assist him. Josef Rohrmayer M.Afr. will participate with the same Ghanaian community in the first evening of encounter with a special stand followed by prayer and singing on a stage. Then he will join a solemn Eucharist of foreign Catholic Communities with the Papal Nuncio. He will also lead an ecumenical service with a Lutheran Bishop as preacher. Hans Ide M.Afr. will host a day with Helen Palmer, famous author on the Enneagramme, in line with his spirituality in daily life. Ernst Sievers M.Afr. (Uganda) will celebrate together with Rev. Dippel, pastor of the free Lutheran Church in Berlin (Southern Star Church). The Confrères and the lady lawyer of the Afrika Center will give an impulse in an event dealing with the theme of migration. To underline the theme of the Convention: May they all be a blessing!
Berlin, April 2003 Josef Rohrmayer M.Afr.
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