A global pilgrimage for water justice

The Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) returns with its “Seven Weeks for Water” campaign this Lent 2023. After proposing a water justice pilgrimage to the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia, the Pacific, North America and Europe, EWN is taking a global approach this time. The organization invites readers to take advantage of Lent to review some of the biblical texts from previous years’ campaigns.

Recalling that water has a “strong spiritual significance in the Christian tradition as a gift from God,” EWN wishes to raise awareness of the fact that millions of people do not have access to clean, life-giving water.

This EWN campaign is supported by the World Council of Churches (WCC). In the form of weekly theological reflection texts, the campaign is an invitation to use these resources in small groups or to contribute to personal reflections.

The year 2023 is a crucial one for the entire water community. It is the first time that the United Nations will hold a World Water Conference in New York. The event will take place from March 22 to 24. It will be kicked off on World Water Day.

The first text, entitled “The rainbow color of the pilgrimage of water justice in North America”, is based on examples of large-scale water contamination in several American cities. The author argues that the lack of access to clean water in the United States is the result of systemic racism.

Note that most of the texts presented include questions for discussion, avenues for action or additional resources. Check this page each week for a new reflection text.

Topics of reflections and publication dates:   

• 22 February 2023: “The rainbow color of the pilgrimage of water justice in North America”, by Michele Roberts
• 27 February 2023: “God’s Gift of Water”, by Grace Ji-Sun Kim
• 6 March 2023: “Feminization of water poverty in Africa”, by Dr Agnes Abuom
• 13 March, 2023 – “Water – Gift and Source of Life” – Ivo Poletto
• 20 March 2023: “Water: a gift of God, a public good and a human right. Should we privatize it?”, by Rev. Dr. Donald Bruce Yeates
• 27 March, 2023 – “Water for Life” – Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm
• 4 April, 2023 – “And we are still thirsty for water!” – Bishop Munib Younan