The Council for World Mission (CWM) organised a Theology of Reparations Consultation under The Onesimus Project (TOP) in Harare, Zimbabwe from 22-26 July.
Hosted by the United Theological College, the event brought together over 20 academics, theologians, and ecumenical partners who investigated, debated, and presented on the theological ripples of reparations, restitution, and justice associated with slavery. Attendees included Rev. Roderick Hewitt, Chair of TOP; Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi, Interim General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches; Rev. Dr Kupakwashe Mtata, Principal of United Theological College; and Dr Masiiwa Gunda, World Council of Churches programme executive for Overcoming Racism.
Participants explored deeper understandings of longstanding historical and systemic injustices as well as possible strategies towards healing, reconciliation, and transformation.
The four-day event included a visit to the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) in Dzivarasekwa, a suburb in western Harare where the 130-member congregation includes dedicated ministers serving the community over the years. The visit gave participants an opportunity to foster a deeper understanding and collaboration between their respective organisations and the Dzivarasekwa UPCSA church.
Additionally, the event also shed further light on the complex issues surrounding the Transatlantic slave trade and its impact on mission. It also highlighted the mission of TOP in standing up to human greed and exploitation.
Throughout the Consultation, key discussions centred on the inadequate responses of the church and of missionaries towards the egregious legacies of slavery. TOP seeks to address this by creating a missional outlook that builds upon CWM’s efforts in decolonising mission since the 1970s. Through TOP’s numerous projects and initiatives, a growing hunger for radical transformation and for justice has been developed.
In one of two keynote addresses that were presented during the event, Nyomi, spoke on “Some Reformed Perspectives on Reparations.”
Nyomi gave a detailed account of the historical and theological underpinnings of slavery and colonialism, emphasising the need for a comprehensive approach to reparations that includes acknowledgement, apology, restitution, and reconciliation.
The second keynote address was presented by Gunda, who spoke on “Racism is a Sin Against God: Theology and Praxis of Anti-Racism in the WCC.” He guided his audience through the theological roots of racism and its devastating consequences. Yet, despite the gloomy outlook, Gunda offered a glimmer of hope with a series of practical tactics that churches and ecumenical bodies can deploy as they create a more just and equitable world around them.