Theology of Diakonia for the 21st Century
The world Council of Churches (WCC) held its conference on Theology of Diakonia for the 21st Century in Colombo, Sri Lanka from June 02nd to 06th. Michael De Waas from the General Council was invited to participate in the Conference as a member of the Roman Catholic Church and take part in a Panel discussion focusing on the theme – Church, Mission and Diakonia – based on the context of the Institute of the Marist Brothers.
The conference brought together over fifty participants from around the world to reflect theologically on diakonia from the vantage points of marginalized people and the geo-political South. The discussions also included perspectives from local congregations stressing the conviction that diakonia is an inevitable ecclesial expression which cannot be outsourced, nor done only in the context of some limited forms and orientations.
The conference was hosted by the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka and organized by Geneva- based WCC programmes for Solidarity and Diakonia, Justice and Inclusive communities, and Mission and Evangelism. The conference worked towards a theological affirmation to enrich the reflections on the theme of diakonia at the 10th Assembly of the WCC in Busan, Korea in 2013. Bro. Michael expressed that it was a very enriching experience for him to be united with members of other Christian churches reflecting on such an important theme.