Statement of the “Ecumenical Consultation on Genocide”

“Thus says the LORD: I will give you a new heart and a new spirit.” (Ez. 36:26) Under the theme “Ecumenical Consultation on the Genocide (1904-1908)” We met as representatives of the following churches and church communion organizations at Andreas-Kukuri Centre, Okahandja from the 24^th to the 26^th of January 2017: Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN – GELC), African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC), Protestant Unity Church (Oruuano), Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD), Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland (EKiR), Evangelische Kirche von Westfalen (EKvW) and United Evangelical Mission (UEM). The issue of the 1904-1908 genocide has been at the heart of the Church since 2002. Now we came together from different churches in Namibia and Germany in an atmosphere of trust to listen intensively to diverse experiences and views amongst ourselves. We did this with the hope to foster the process of mutual understanding, healing and uniting our communities. We came together with a sense of urgency, realizing that the discussion of this matter by the Church is long overdue. At this point of time our generation has both the special opportunity and the responsibility to overcome and recover from the trauma and guilt which was caused by the events from 1904-1908. Trauma and guilt can be inherited from one generation to the next. Many Namibian descendants still carry this traumatic experience in their soul until today. The Church realizes its spiritual responsibility to contribute towards creating an environment in which a broad based healing process can take place. This Ecumenical Consultation calls upon all stakeholders to apply sensitivity when dealing with this matter. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit guide, protect and grant us wisdom in this process. Okahandja, January 26^th, 2017
Signatures:
ELCRN: Bishop Ernst //Gamxamȗb, Dep. Bishop Paul Hatani Kisting, General Secretary Petrus ≠Khariseb, Associate General Secretary Wilfred N. Diergaardt, Dean Jacob Claasen, Dean Jakob Robert Frederick, Dean David C. Gertze, Dean Simon Petrus Tiboth, Mr Uhuru Dempers; ELCIN - GELC: Deputy Bishop Rev. Rudolf Schmid, Rev. Klaus Peter Tietz, Mrs Brigitte Schneider, Mrs Erika von Wietersheim, Mr Erwin Scriba;AMEC: Bishop Dr. Andreas Biwa, General Secretary Penias E. Topnaar;Oruuano: Bishop Wylie V. Upi, General Secretary August KahimunuEKD: OKR Klaus J. BurckhardtEKiR: OKRn Barbara RudolphEKvW: OKR Dr. Ulrich MöllerUEM: Mrs. Julia Besten