FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE — In a powerful address during the Thanksgiving service commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) on Sunday, September 22, 2024, Bishop Kortu K. Brown, representing the West Africa Council of Churches, FECCIWA, called for strengthened unity and collaboration among Christian organizations across the West African sub-region. Speaking on behalf of the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa (FECCIWA), headquartered in Lome, Togo, Bishop Brown congratulated CCSL on its centenary, acknowledging its steadfast commitment to peace, justice, and development over the past 100 years.
In his remarks, Bishop Brown praised CCSL’s role in serving the people of Sierra Leone, particularly during the nation’s civil war and in its ongoing work in sectors such as education, agriculture, and alternative dispute resolution. He noted that CCSL’s efforts have had an impact not just on Sierra Leone, but across the West African region, contributing to ecumenical cooperation and peacebuilding efforts.
Highlighting FECCIWA’s mission, Bishop Brown emphasized the Fellowship’s commitment to addressing the pressing challenges in the region, including hunger, poverty, human rights violations, and armed conflicts. He stressed the importance of collaboration among Christian councils and churches in tackling these issues, particularly in the face of escalating threats to peace, security, and democracy in West Africa.
Bishop Brown recalled the 2023 consultative meeting of Christian leaders in Lome, which marked the revival of FECCIWA after a period of inactivity due to administrative and financial difficulties. Since then, member organizations have worked diligently to reinvigorate the Fellowship, focusing on key areas such as food security, environmental justice, and gender-based violence. Bishop Brown assured the assembly that FECCIWA remains committed to supporting Christian councils and churches in their pursuit of justice, peace, and unity in their respective countries.
“The current challenges that communities, including Christian organizations, are facing in the sub-region, call for an all-hands-on-deck strategy to find solutions,” Bishop Brown urged. He emphasized the need for collective action to combat the rising threats of kidnappings, killings, and persecution, particularly against Christian communities.
He further outlined FECCIWA’s objectives, which include equipping member councils to promote peace and security, advocating for environmental justice, supporting efforts against sexual and gender-based violence, and fostering collaboration with regional bodies like ECOWAS. FECCIWA’s overarching goal, Bishop Brown said, is to promote the dignity of all people in the sub-region, enabling them to live in spiritual and material abundance, as outlined in John 10:10b.
Concluding his speech, Bishop Brown expressed his hope for a future where Christian organizations work together to address the pressing issues of justice, climate change, food security, and gender-based violence. He reaffirmed FECCIWA’s dedication to fostering inter-religious harmony, leadership training, and discipleship among member organizations.
“As CCSL celebrates 100 years, I pray that member churches in Sierra Leone will join hands with FECCIWA for the Christian community to move forward in unity,” Bishop Brown stated, referencing Psalm 121 and the biblical call for brothers and sisters to work together in unity.
The centenary celebration of CCSL marked a moment of reflection and renewed commitment to the shared goals of peace, justice, and development within the Christian community of Sierra Leone and beyond. Bishop Brown’s call to action resonated deeply, inspiring hope for a future where collaboration and unity among Christian councils and churches will lead to a more peaceful and just West Africa.
