Each year at the annual meeting of the Waldensian synod, international guests are invited to give a word of greetings. It is understood that these greetings are a mix of the official and the personal. Part of the greeting is intended to speak for the body the person represents, and part of the greeting represents strictly the feelings, perspectives, and ideas of the person speaking. Carol´s greeting to this year´s Waldensian Methodist synod was no exception.
President Vernarecci, Moderator Trotta, delegates, ecumenical guests, friends and colleagues—
Thank you so much for this invitation to greet you today. It is an honor and a pleasure to be with you, to participate in this synod, and to enjoy your warm hospitality in this beautiful place. I look forward to learning more about what God is doing through the work and witness of the Waldensian Methodist Church—a body which I have come to respect, admire, and yes—to love—in the 16 years since I first attended one of your synods.
I would like to speak to you first in my capacity as the Executive Director of the American Waldensian Society. It has been our honor to partner with you over the years on various important projects—Being Church Together, the EFFE program, and the restoration of this beautiful synod hall to name just a few. This past May, our board enthusiastically affirmed support for a new project: a one-volume English version of your new 4-volume History of the Waldensians. Be assured that the project is undertaken with the full support of the Society of Waldensian Studies. We have a publisher who will provide both online and print versions of the book which we hope will be available by late 2026. So, I hope you will join us in celebrating the inauguration of this important project!
Before I close, please allow me to say a few words in an unofficial capacity—bearing in mind that, while I am speaking as an individual, I also speak for many Americans and for many members of AWS.
As a US citizen, I cannot come to another country without taking the opportunity to say, “I am sorry.” I am sorry for all the ways my country is betraying the values we have traditionally held dear: human rights, due process, and democracy to name just a few. I am, quite frankly, ashamed. But I also want to assure you that there is a growing groundswell of US citizens who are demonstrating and speaking out against such abuses.
As a Christian, I want to “call out” one particular scourge that seems to be fueling so much of our current national nightmare. I am speaking of “Christian nationalism,” which, in spite of its name, has nothing to do with Jesus of Nazareth. Christian nationalism uses faith as a weapon—and as a means of justifying anti-Christian actions. Its real God is power, and it uses that power to amass wealth for a few and to hurt many.
I ask you to pray for the U.S.A. and for all those throughout the world who are suffering from our folly. I ask you to pray for all people of faith in the U.S.A.—but especially for Christians—that we may have the wisdom and strength to speak out against what Texas State Representative James Talarico called “this perversion of faith and subversion of democracy.” Be assured that my prayers will be with you as well. Know that those of us in the American Waldensian Society count it an honor and a joy to walk with you in the way of Jesus of Nazareth.
Grazie mille.
Carol Bechtel is the executive director of the American Waldensian Society. Sixteen years ago, Carol was the president of the general synod of the Reformed Church in America. She first met the Italian Waldensians during a visit to the RCA´s European church partners.
Carol was asked to give two formal interviews following her greetings to the synod. You can watch one of these interviews by clicking on this link.
