The Global Christian Forum have just concluded their consultation, entitled Discrimination, Persecution, Martyrdom: Following Christ Together. This global gathering of 145 people took place from 2 – 4 November, 2015, in Tirana, Albania, a country that was declared by its constitution to be an atheist state in 1967, and now has flourishing churches in a framework of religious freedom. Christian communities there also hosted the first two LOI consultations in 2013 and 2014. Last week’s meeting was organised by the Global Christian Forum together with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Roman Catholic Church), the Pentecostal World Fellowship, the World Evangelical Alliance, and the World Council of Churches.
Participants committed themselves:
(a) To listen more to the experiences of Christians, Churches, and of all those who are discriminated against and persecuted, and deepen our engagement with suffering communities.
(b) To pray more for Churches, Christians, and for all those suffering discrimination and persecution, as well as for the transformation of those who discriminate and persecute.
(c) To speak up more with respect and dignity, with a clear and strong voice together, on behalf of those who are suffering.
(d) To do more in mutual understanding to find effective ways of solidarity and support for healing, reconciliation, and for the religious freedom of all oppressed and persecuted people.
The full consultation message can be read here and some of the papers are available here.