The following news release from Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) reports on a joint peacemaking project by Mennonites and Catholics in the South American nation of Colombia. CPT describes its mission as “Getting in the Way,” and asks: “What would happen if Christians devoted the same discipline and sacrifice to nonviolent peacemaking that armies devote to war?” CPT seeks to enlist the whole church in organized, nonviolent alternatives to war and places teams of trained peacemakers in regions of lethal conflict. For further information on CPT, visit http://www.cpt.org/.
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CPTnet
16 July 2008
COLOMBIA REFLECTION: Bridging a divided church
by Pierre Shantz
Since Martin Luther initiated a reformation in the sixteenth century, Catholics and Protestants have argued and fought, sometimes to the death, about whose church shall lead us to salvation. In many contexts it is impossible to hold an ecumenical service because one tradition will not recognize the other. Colombia is no different. Resentment on both sides has caused a great divide between the two. The Catholic Church has held the reins of religious and state power, excluding the Protestants. Up until 1991 the Colombian constitution recognized the Catholic Church as the only church. Meanwhile, entering Latin America with a message that Catholics are idol worshipers, Protestants have managed to make the word “Christian” synonymous with “Protestant.” The Protestant church used a theology of resignation as a political strategy to counter the spiritual awakening of Liberation theology.
In the past several years efforts at reconciliation have borne some fruit. Anabaptist churches in Colombia and the Conference of Bishops have held meetings sharing statements of apology and recognizing pain and hurt.
Recently our team in Colombia hosted a delegation of leaders from the Colombian Mennonite Church and a mix of priests, scholastics and candidates from the Basilian community of Colombia. Both groups are part of CPT’s support community, yet as co-leaders Sandra and I prepared to lead this mixed delegation, we felt nervous about whether these Catholics and Protestants would integrate. The first day or so we didn’t see so much interaction happening. But our fears didn’t last long. On the outing to the rural area, the delegation quickly joined together in planning a time of prayer with the community they were visiting.
Then in the evening both Mennonites and Catholics laughed together, sang songs and poked fun at each other, sharing stereotypical jokes about each others’ churches.
“I was expecting a bunch of old, bald, robe-wearing stuffy priests,” said one of the Mennonites. “I was expecting Bible thumping religious fanatics,” said one of the Basilians. At one of the closing reflection times, I said I felt privileged to be part of a group that can laugh and poke fun at their own churches and doctrines. What participants took seriously is the common faith and understanding that God is Love and on the side of Justice.
The delegation ended with a public action incorporating aspects of both traditions. Both Pastor and Priest prayed for and blessed the bread that everyone present shared. In a context where most eye an ‘ecumenical Eucharist’ with skepticism, this simple act of breaking bread together reminded us why we all are Christian. In the end, Catholics and Protestants in Colombia still go to different churches. Some even look at the other with dislike. But this delegation of fourteen Mennonites and Basilians overcame these stereotypes and shared the true identity of who we all were.
(See photo album: http://cpt.org/gallery/view_album.php?page=2&set_albumName=album249 )