ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
January 8, 2022
Do you ever come across of piece of history that you did not previously know (or had forgotten), and it leaves you shaking your head? Recently I learned about the Romanus Pontifex. In the 15th century, the Pope issued a declaration (a Papal Bull) giving the Royal Family of Portugal dominion over an important part of the African Continent. This religious decree gave Portugal the right to colonize the people and full ownership of all its natural resources. I know it was more than 500 years ago, and many people will allow for such a happening to be excused because it was so long ago. But it was the church that provided approval, justification and blessing for the oppression of other peoples and the plundering of natural resources. Some people will be quick to say, “Well that was the Catholic Church,” but at that point in history, there were no Protestants. To put it bluntly: Them was us. Should we feel guilty? I’m not suggesting we should. I do believe we need to answer the questions: What lessons have we learned and what lessons should we have learned? I also believe we should ponder whether or not we bear any responsibility. Responsibility, not for the original actions, but for the current reality in certain parts of Africa where people are still oppressed and natural resources are being plundered. Responsibility is not necessarily the same thing as blame. I think of responsibility more in terms of obligation – obligation as a follower of Jesus, obligation as a fellow human being. In Matthew 25, when Jesus asked in the form of a parable whether or not people fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger and took care of the sick, he did not cast any blame. No matter who might have created or perpetuated the systems that left some vulnerable, Jesus wanted to know who would step up and care for those in need. Of course, if there was some blame, Jesus would have expected confession, repentance and righting the wrong.
Teach me, O God, what it means to be responsible – responsible for my own choices while also being responsible to my sisters and brothers in this world who might be feeling pushed aside and forgotten, abused and exploited. Amen.
