Calvin Synod Herald, 1974 (74. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1974-04-01 / 4-5. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 7 800 Years Waldensian Movement 1974 sees the celebration of the eight centenary of the conversion of Peter Waldo, a rich merchant of Lyons, France, who gave all his possessions to the poor in an attempt to meet the apostolic demands of poverty, and obedience to the commands of Christ. The following article is an extract from an anniversary document issued by the Synod of the Waldensian Church in Italy. A centenary can mean many things: it may be a reason for pride; as a noble family boasting of its ancestors, so the Church can boast of its past, its tradition, of the sacrifice and testimony given by its forefathers. The Waldensian Church could, on this occasion, present its eight centuries of history as titles of nobility to the other churches, as if to say: “in spite of everything and against everyone we still exist,” or else: “the honour of an exceptionally rich and ancient history belongs to us.” It is certainly not in this spirit that the “Tavola Valdese” (Executive Board) has presented this problem to the Synod in its report. COMMITMENT AND REFLECTION A centenary can be an opportunity for entering into a new commitment: as for a family festival one puts one’s house in order, makes improvements, so, on the occasion of the centenary, we can put a little dynamic strength, some vitality into our local communities, we can seize the opportunity for making them commit themselves more deeply. If Waldo’s centenary could lead to this, there would already be a positive element, but it would not be enough. “An occasion for reflection and attention for today’s Church, for its testimony in the modern world,” the report of the “Tavola Valdese” says: this is what the year 1974 must be. What does reflection mean? It simply means that we must ask ourselves whether Waldo’s life and experiences do not have something to teach us at this time. Just think: a rich middle-class man who voluntarily becomes poor, a citizen who goes about the world preaching, men forming communities, free, fraternal associations, men and women (also women, to the great scandal of the clergy of that time), who consider themselves as apostles of Jesus, who, like the Poor of Lombardy, form “communes” of workers, who read and study the Bible without a regular minister, men refusing violence, the use of arms, the absolute obedience to the laws of the country in which they live — not through a spirit of rebellion, but in obedience to the Sermon on the Mount, people wanting a Church poor and free from the ties with power. Has this whole thought-world, a distinctive feature of the ancient Waldensians, really nothing to say any longer? Could it not be unexpectedly relevant for today? To bear the name “Waldensian” means going back, whether we like it or not, to Waldo’s experience; it means that we must say frankly: “at the origin of our Christian community there is a man who has acted in such and such a way and we go back to his example, we want to be a little like him, everyone of us a Waldo in our time.” The Synod has accepted this point of view a centenary which should not only be an opportunity for activity, or a cause for pride, but a moment of reflection for all of us. EVANGELISM The discussion we had during our assembly was very serene and peaceful, there was no clash of opinion; could it be otherwise while speaking of a centenary? Two facts have been pointed out: 1) the need to seize this opportunity to come to a clearer analysis and evaluation of our past history; 2) the need to make of this date a matter of commitment to evangelize. The first fact was emphasized by Prof. Giorgio Spini, a member of the Methodist Conference, who had been invited to the Synod on the occasion of its recent meeting. He gave us several suggestions so as to allow us to make good use of 1974 (a meeting for-studies on a scientifc level that would scrutinize the outstanding issues and problems that confront Waldism, activities at the local level, publications, etc.), and this has been recognized by the Synod itself: in its resolution it has also invited the communities to commit themselves financially so as to enable us to undertake all these enterprises. The second fact was introduced in the discussion by the Rev. Roberto Nisbet, pastor of the Waldensian congregation in San Remo, who presented a resolution, later unanimously approved by the assembly, in which it was clearly pointed out that to celebrate the past makes no sense unless we feel the calling for “evangelizing”, that is to say: for bringing the message of the Gospel into the environment in which we live. Th Waldensian Synod, convinced that the celebration of the eight centenary of the Waldensian movement, fixed for 1974, cannot wear itself out in a program of historical celebrations, but must become an occasion for reflection and renewed commitment for today’s Church, for its testimony in the modern world, invites its local communities to arrange a concrete program for a new impulse of the work of evangelism, to be studied in the conferences of the various districts and during the next session of the Synod. A serious celebration therefore, a moment of meditation, certainly, but also the beginning of a period of a new impulse for our witness. Giorgio Tourn Pastor RPS Waldensian Church Pinerolo WALDENSIANS PLAN 8th CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Rome •— Plans are well in hand for the celebration this year of the 800th anniversary of the Waldensian Evangelical Church of Italy. Special events scheduled to mark the occasion include a “historical journey” to regions with which the Waldensian movement has been associated in the past (April 25-28), the festive opening of the renovated Waldensian historical museum in Torre Pellice (July 7), a special four-day celebration (August 15-18) and a joint assembly with the Methodist Conference of Italy (August 25-30) at Torre Pellice. The Waldensian community in Geneva, Switzerland, will mark the event with a special worship service at the St. Pierre Cathedral on February 17 next, when the sermon will be preached by the Rev. Giorgio Tourn of Pinerolo, Italy. RPS
