Prof. Dr. Konrad Raiser, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and
Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Geneva, CH
In: Why me?, WCC, Geneva, CH, 1993

… Epilogue: Response of “The Ecumenical Movement” on Erika Schuchardt’s ‘cry’ – “Why me…?” … - The cry … in this book is loud and clear. The Churches - and The Ecumenical Movement - have to respond and they will respond ...

Review: The churches and the ecumenical movement are challenged

The subject "suffering and faith" discloses a human basic situation which reaches far into our every-day world and which we yet widely tend to repress. It sets one thinking to discover how persons in crisis situations see the people about them, including the churches and their staff and volunteers. Rarely do the affected experience a kind of care that takes their struggles and their experiences seriously as full expressions of human nature. The ecumenical associations of churches present no exception to the findings of this critical investigation, as ERIKA SCHUCHARDT reveals in the beginning of her first chapter. This is especially important in a time in which the feeling of helplessness at the sight of the suffering of innumerable people in the world through no fault of their own becomes more and more distressing.
We believe that ERIKA SCHUCHARDT has been remarkably successful in providing us with a guideline through her book - now also in English - "Why me...? Learning to live in Crises". With the vivid account of the biographies told by people in crises - a kind of "theology of life-histories" - and by the application of astute religious, psychological and educational insights, the author illustrates how people suffering in crises, from illnesses or disabilities can participate in a free and truly human community in dignity and wholeness. There are also new insights on suffering itself to be found in this book which show us the way to go and give us hope.
The cry in this book was and is loud and clear. The churches - and the ecumenical movement - have to respond. They will respond.