Reasoning that many Christians hold us over the issue of slave trade are the source of this reflection on their responsibility and the need to get involved in reconciliation efforts that some of us lead.
Why should Christians be involved in the reconciliation process in relation to the salve trade? It is not about to accuse any particular church, but we can say that the Church as the “Body of Christ” sometimes was involved in an incredible way for Christians today, in the scourge that in some extend, destroyed part of humanity. While the slave trade began between 1503 and 1510, during which the business is quite embryonic and sporadic, it is nonetheless true that it is the Catholic priest Las Casas who systematizes it from 1516. This is also the finding of a greater resilience of some blacks from Africa that allowed him to infer that the massive importation of these populations could be a salvation for the conservation of indigenous Indian population. That year, according to Lesly Pompey in his book “Spectral Analysis for the Caribbean History” on page 53, “together with the commission of the Order of St. Jerome sent by Charles V recommended the development of the practice as an alternative way to spare the natives.” Indeed, the Indians were practically decimated by both the forced labour that had compelled the West, and the diseases they had introduced in these populations. According to Jean Ziegler in his book “The Hatred of the West”, when the West invades America to colonise her, the Indian population were approximately 90 million. A hundred years later they were only 9 million.
There is no question of stigmatizing a religion, Catholic for example, some major Protestant families of Bordeaux to name a few, have distinguished themselves and have prospered from this trade. Jean Ziegler cites a few names in the same book in pages 97-98. Let’s just say that as Christians, then this inheritance is ours. May we recall that in the Bible, when God asks the Israelites to confess their sins, they also confessed sins of their fathers, in other words, of their ancestors? This is the condition that they could get through. This is what Daniel did when he discovers the books containing the words of the Lord to Jeremiah (Daniel 9). Then he enters repentance, recourse to prayer and fasting and implores the grace of God to His people. Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever!
Thank you to pray:
- That our churches are aware of the need for them to get involved in this reconciliation process that involves repentance and forgiveness, banished from the modern vocabulary.
- For the Lifeline Expedition journey to Jamaica planned for the month of August (July 25-August 9). That the Lord provides for all of us, all the needs of this mission, financially, spiritually, morally and in terms of health.
- That many Christians are won by the passion for reconciliation and engage in these movements for the reconciliation of peoples and thus exercise the ministry of reconciliation according to 2 Corinthians 5:18.
- That the discouragement that constantly strikes at the door finds no hold on us and that our zeal for the Lord as part of this project is constantly renewed.
- That the Lord opens doors that lead us to do His will at any time and for any occasion and closes those that are intended to divert us.
- That He prevents us from any precipitation and gives us the patience to await the fulfilment of this vision that works towards an end and that will certainly take place according to Habakkuk 2:3. That HIS WILL BE DONE!
Let’s keep on praying for all the subjects mentioned before and for which we must still intercede.
God bless you abundantly
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