In wake of Cairo attack,
return to Christian roots inspires
hope and forgiveness
Konferenz in Lyon: Der Hl. Irenäus und und eine aufgeklärte/erleuchtete Humanität
return to Christian roots inspires
hope and forgiveness
The conference on
"Saint Irenaeus and Enlightened Humanity" is hosted by the Anaphora
Institute in collaboration with Lyon Catholic University, France.
©Albin Hillert/WCC
©Albin Hillert/WCC
By Albin Hillert*
“What we did when we created the Anaphora Institute, is
we dug deep into the ground, until we found water. We brought the water
to the surface, spread it across the ground, and it bore fruit. The same
you should do in yourself: dig deep until you find the love of Jesus,
bring Christ to the surface, and it will bear fruit in your life.”
The words are by Coptic Bishop Anba Thomas of Qussia,
founder of the Anaphora Institute near Cairo, Egypt. The quote is from
2010, but today as much as ever, digging deep for sources of life, hope
and forgiveness seems key in search of peace and reconciliation.
Meeting but a few days after the 12 December attack
against Coptic Christians worshipping at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in
Cairo, where 25 were killed and many more injured, a conference has now
gathered at the Anaphora Institute under the theme of “Saint Irenaeus
and Enlightened Humanity”. Hosted by Anaphora in collaboration with Lyon
Catholic University, scholars, students and theologians will explore St
Irenaeus’ writings, and what the early founding fathers of the church
can teach us as Christians in the 21st century.
Father John Behr from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological
Seminary, introducing the first session of the conference, stressed the
many similarities between the theological context of St Irenaeus and
the present day. “We should remember that Irenaeus' writings come from a
pre-imperial Christian context, which in many ways is similar to the
times we live in today,” said Behr.
“Our understanding of theology has since been fragmented, and it is sometimes difficult to see what holds us together. But I believe that our objective here in Egypt, in studying the teachings of Irenaeus, is a way to come together to move forward.”
“Our understanding of theology has since been fragmented, and it is sometimes difficult to see what holds us together. But I believe that our objective here in Egypt, in studying the teachings of Irenaeus, is a way to come together to move forward.”
The head of the Coptic Church, Pope Tawadros II, who was
absent from the conference due to the recent events in Cairo, extended
greetings via a video message.
“As church, we always encourage research and studies of our common roots and our first history as Christians,” Tawadros said. “We know St Irenaeus as an important figure in ecumenism between the West and the East, and it is my hope that this gathering can bring us closer.”
“As church, we always encourage research and studies of our common roots and our first history as Christians,” Tawadros said. “We know St Irenaeus as an important figure in ecumenism between the West and the East, and it is my hope that this gathering can bring us closer.”
Bishop Thomas reflected, “We have gathered for this
conference in a very difficult moment, but our focus, our thoughts and
efforts, are not on fighting people, but in finding hope in moving
forward. We will share together in prayer. And our prayers are not only
directed to the people of Egypt, but that we may all humble ourselves
before the Lord, to pray for forgiveness together, for all the peoples.”
“We stand firm, to say we do not fear. We are not
afraid, but we will keep the principle that Jesus taught us. Jesus said
to pray for those who persecute you, love your enemy, forgive, and do
good to them.”
“When we hear of such tragedy as happened last Sunday,
it is very easy for us to feel hatred. But forgiveness is a sign of God.
Our hearts are bleeding, our tears are not stopping, but still we
forgive, we carry our cross, in dignity and in peace,” Thomas said. “In
St Irenaeus, we can learn of the dignity of those who have left us in
martyrdom. We can all stand together in silence, to pray.”
Dr Marie-Laure Chaieb from the Université Catholique de
L’Ouest France, continued to reflect on the anthropology of St Irenaeus,
stressing that “the life of a person, is the living vision of God.”
“The glory of God is a living human person. A living
person is an expression of the glory of God,” affirmed rector Thierry
Magnin from Lyon Catholic University. “Here at Anaphora, we see an
example and an expression of this.”
The Anaphora Institute is a retreat centre with a
mission encircling five dimensions: to promote spiritual reflection; to
bridge gaps between cultures and denominations; to offer education
through participation and life experience; to reinforce local
development, human rights and gender justice; and to create awareness of
the need to live in harmony with all of creation.
WCC general secretary mourns lost lives,
calls for end to violence (WCC press release of 11 December 2016)
calls for end to violence (WCC press release of 11 December 2016)
* Albin Hillert is a communications consultant, writer and photographer
based in Umeå, Sweden.
based in Umeå, Sweden.
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