LUCSA Affirms the South African Council of Churches’ Call for Justice, Compassion and Peace
The Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA) joins and fully supports the statement issued by the leaders of the member churches of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) during this important moment in our nation’s life. The statement reminds us that the Church is called to speak with both compassion and courage, holding together the realities experienced by communities and the dignity of every human being.
As a communion of churches serving across the Southern African region, LUCSA recognises the concerns many communities continue to raise regarding unemployment, pressure on public services, poverty, inequality and social instability. These realities affect families, congregations and communities every day and must not be ignored. At the same time, our Christian faith calls us to reject violence, intimidation, hatred and the dehumanisation of others as responses to these challenges.
The SACC statement reminds us that justice and compassion belong together. It affirms both the responsibility of the State to uphold the law and the Christian obligation to recognise the God-given dignity of every person.
LUCSA therefore echoes the call to our churches and communities to become visible witnesses of reconciliation, peace and hope. We remain committed to building communities where people encounter dignity, accountability, hospitality and mutual care.
As a regional communion made up of churches across Southern Africa, we know that our histories, challenges and futures are deeply interconnected. Our witness must continue to reflect a faith that listens to the pain of communities while refusing to allow fear to become division.
We encourage our member churches to continue praying for peace, rejecting harmful narratives, caring for those who are vulnerable, and demonstrating Christ’s love in practical and visible ways.
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” — Romans 15:7