Abstract

DUNCAN, Graham A.. The World Council of Churches Programme to Combat Racism. A South African response to changes in global mission policy. Missionalia (Online) [online]. 2024, vol.52, n.1, pp.1-20. ISSN 2312-878X.

The introduction of the Special Fund of the Programme to Combat Racism (PCR) by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 1970 was a natural expression of international opposition to racism. It also indicated a change in global mission policy from mission as a traditional evangelical activity to the emerging paradigm of mission as God's activity in the world. Though focussed on Africa and South Africa, in particular, the controversial PCR drew the ire of the apartheid government and many white members of Churches of European Origin (CEO), gaining support mainly from members of the black church. This article employed a qualitative literature method to analyse the origin, process, and outcome of this heavily contested programme through a case study of the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa (PCSA), spearheaded by its Ecumenical Relations Committee (ERC), which came to radically different conclusions from the majority of the church membership regarding the nature, purpose, and function of the church. Conservative white church members largely eschewed the notion of church involvement in politics, particularly issues relating to violence, which would threaten the status quo which was upheld by violence.

Keywords : Church and Nation (C & N) Committee; Churches of European Origin (CEO); Ecumenical Relations Committee (ERC); Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa (PCSA); Programme to Combat Racism (PCR); World Council of Churches (WCC).

        · text in English     · English ( pdf )