Ecumenism from Below An Exposition of Practical Ecumenism in South Africa by the Women’s Leagues

Abstract

This article explores ecumenism from below as demonstrated by women’s leagues in Zimbabwe and South Africa where Christians from different denominations worship together once every week. Ecumenism at institutional theological levels remains a theoretical and theological exercise in many parts of Christendom. Women’s leagues are practicing ecumenism through their interdenominational weekly activities with very little regard for church theology. The Easter Sunday reminds us that the gospel preached by the church is the gospel initiated by women who experienced and preached the resurrection to men. In contemporary Zimbabwe and South Africa ecumenism is initiated by women. Without the theological debates conducted by ecumenical institutions,
the women’s leagues of different churches have been worshipping together at least once a week, mainly in Harare, Zimbabwe and in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa since 1984. This article discusses the ecumenical practices of the women’s league in Zimbabwe and South Africa through Fambidzano/Mubatanidzwa wamadzimai/Amabandla ahlangene (‘United or Mixed Churches’ in isiZulu/isiNdebele and chiShona respectively). These leagues participate in pastoral care through diaconal work and worship services
especially on Thursdays. This paper concludes that the activities of the women’s leagues are forms of ecumenism from below as opposed to ecumenism from above by theologians and church leaders which has largely remained at a theoretical level.