Malawians called on to pray for Korea: Journo contributes to book

Malawi Council of Churches has called on Christians around the world to pray for peace and unification of South and North Korea.

General Secretary Rev Dr Jodder Osborne Mbewe said this on the sidelines of the ongoing World Council of Churches 10th Assembly in Busan, South Korea.

He said Malawi can contribute prayers for the peace and unification of the Korean peninsula.

“We share the peace concept and belief in a God of Life who gives justice and peace. We are glad that MCC is part of this global church as we share same faith in going to God to take away the injustices in many countries. Therefore we need to pray to gather for peace in countries like Egypt, Syria and Korea,” said Mbewe.

Pastor Mbewe showing the book

General Secretary for World Council of Churches Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said that the council’s efforts to help the peace and unification of the Korea peninsula continue.

“We appreciate the church’s role in peace and unification for Korea. The people are divided due to geo-political and political reasons. Hence I call on Churches and members to support this to happen and pray and support this process.” Said Olav.

Similar sentiments were made by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope’s emissary to the Assembly.

Malawi Council of Churches is a member of the WCC from as one of the 345 institutions representing at the tenth assembly with more than 5,000 people representing about 560 million Christians in 110 countries.

Since 1948, the WCC has been meeting every 7 or 8th year and its gathering in Busan, South Korea, is significant for Koreans as they trust God for peace and reconciliation with its neighbor North Korea separated by the demilitarized zone created by western powers.

The delegates will this weekend spread out to four major cities to visit and pray with and for Korea.

Earlier Rev Dr Jodder Mbewe witnessed the launch of a book When Pastors Prey to which Malawian journalist Victor Kaonga has contributed a chapter. Published in April 2013 by the World Council of Churches, the book highlights clergy sexual misconduct.

Mbewe challenged fellow clergy to read the book and avoid sexual misconduct. When Pastors Prey, collects stories of women (across the world) who have survived clergy abuse and discusses how churches are finally confronting this widespread and devastating problem.

Christine Housel, general secretary of the World Student Christian Fellowship said the book aims at raising awareness about identifying, preventing and overcoming clergy sexual abuse of women.

“We hope that this effort will begin a cultural transformation within the worldwide church,” Housel said.

The book, which was supported by the WCC Women in Church and Society project, offers insights from researchers, advocates and survivors.

Also included is a speech by former President Jimmy Carter to the Parliament of the World Religions in which he states: “The truth is the male religious leaders have had – and still have – an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter.”

Dr Fulata Lusungu Moyo, WCC programme executive for Women in Church and Society, called the compilation “a prophetic project.”

For many of the book’s contributors, sharing their story became a form of therapy, said Moyo. “When we read their stories, we realize they have moved from being victims to survivors. They have become healers – wounded healers.”

The story by Malawian journalist highlights the abuse the wife experienced at the hands of her husband pastor. The book shares many stories where, instead of praying for the female members, the clergy ended up preying on them.

It is available on Amazon.

Pastors at WCC

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