WCC shares insights on rise of Christian Far-Right extremism

Photo: NCCK

Source: World Council of Churches

At an ecumenical conference on 30 June in Seoul, South Korea, Peter Prove, director of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, shared a keynote speech on 'The Rise of Christian Far-Right Extremism and the Response of the Global Ecumenical Community.'

During the conference, which drew 50 theologians and ecumenical movement leaders from North America, Europe, and Asia, Prove said that the rise of Christian far-right extremism is of profound importance to South Korea, and indeed to the wider world.

"The WCC stands for the God-given human dignity of every human being, and for human rights as the legal expression and protection of the diverse aspects of human dignity," said Prove. "The extremes of both the right and the left threaten those values."

However, in this historical moment, it is rightwing extremism that has momentum, Prove noted.

"Crimes of the worst kind are being committed against individuals and whole communities with little or no accountability," he said. "Arms races have resumed, and militarization is increasing."

The taboo against the use of nuclear weapons is being weakened, Prove continued. "Economic injustice and inequality are spiralling to extreme and unprecedented levels," he said. "New technologies are disrupting not only economies but also social and political systems."

Cooperation among the nations and peoples of the world has never been more urgently and critically necessary, Prove noted.

"Explicit or implicit rejection of democratic principles, such as free and fair elections, individual rights, and the rule of law is typical," he said. "A belief in the superiority of one culture or race over others may be expressed."

Moreover, rightwing extremist groups frequently promote conspiracy theories, he added.

"At their most extreme, they actively promote fascist totalitarianism," Prove said. "And yet, elements within the churches and Christian communities have become leading proponents and drivers of some of these movements."

The goal of the conference was to politically analyze the global phenomenon of far-right politics by sharing the situation in North America, Europe, and Asia. Speakers and participants theologically analyzed the far-right phenomenon and its connection with Christianity.

The conference also developed a communique that includes ecumenical actions to counter the Christian far-right movement. "As Christians, we are particularly concerned about the alliance between far-right political forces and Christian nationalism," reads the communique. "In the midst of a world marked by conflict, the theological task of awakening the Gospel of love and reconciliation and the challenge of building a church as a community of love welcoming everyone are before us."

The communique urges more genuine democracy. "We urge governments of all nations to develop democracy that fully accepts the political will of the sovereign people and to devote themselves to establishing socio-economic alternatives that can overcome inequality," reads the communique. "We urge international society, including the United Nations, to pay close attention to the reality of human rights violations occurring on a global scale and to consolidate their efforts to build a world where everyone is guaranteed dignified human rights."

Read the full communique:

www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/international-ecumenical-consultation-communique