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Covenant Mourns Passing of Olle Engstroem
SOMMIERE, FRANCE (January 2, 2004) - Word has been received of the death of
Olle Engstroem, a well-known leader in the Mission Covenant Church of
Sweden and former dean of the theological seminary in Lidingo, Sweden.
Engstroem died December 26 in France at age 83. He is survived by his
wife, Margit, and sons Ulf and Per and their families.
Engstroem's roots can be found in both the Smaland city of Varnamo and
in Hedemora in Dalecarlia, according to Krister Andersson, president of
the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden. "As a child he experienced
different aspects of the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden and remained
a dedicated and genuine member of this denomination," said Andersson in
a dispatch this morning. "From the time of his student days he was
deeply involved in ecumenical work, both nationally and internationally.
In his position as secretary of the free churches' Student Christian
Movement, he participated as a delegate in the World Council of Churches
in Evanston, Illinois, in 1954.
"He quickly gained much trust within the international ecumenical
movement and was a delegate of the Executive Committee and Central
Committee of the World Council of Churches," Andersson continued. "He
was also active in the international Congregation Council, which merged
with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and thus the Mission
Covenant Church of Sweden also joined this council."
As secretary in the organization that led to the Swedish Free Church
Council, Engstroem was active in the Swedish ecumenical work that today
is organized in the Christian Council of Sweden (CCS). He also
participated in several assignments commissioned by the State, such as
Alva Myrdal's analysis of the Swedish State Church in 1958, Andersson
recalled.
"As an interpreter for foreign speakers at numerous international
conferences, as well as in debates and in his decisions, his distinct
and charming handling of different languages was a contributing factor
to his popularity in many different circles," Andersson noted. "There
was an air of freshness about Olle Engstroem. Articulate and courageous,
he was not afraid to voice his opinions and won the respect of the
authorities and people in power. He carefully put the finishing touches
on his formulations and arguments. Meticulous preparation paved the way
to his easy-going and yet elegant elocution. Olle Engstroem not only
spoke up for the international ecumenical cooperation with the largest
and most powerful churches of the World Council of Churches, but also
sided with the small minority churches.
"Clearly and resolutely he spoke his mind and stood his ground,"
Andersson continues. "For example, at the Central Committee of the World
Council of Churches in Addis Abeba in 1971, he unabashedly criticized
the Orthodox Churches for not respecting freedom of religion and human
rights. General Secretary Visser't Hooft immediately moved, without
discussion, to record the entire statement in the minutes. In this way,
the small sister denominations in the International Federation of
Evangelical Churches were protected and recognized as sound and full
worthy churches. Olle Engstroem's brave actions were an important
support for the minority churches in Eastern Europe and Greece. But at
the same time, his having taken the stand later led to the omission of
Engstroem's name from the ballot for the position of Chairman to the
Council of European Churches."
During the years 1962 to 1985, Engstroem was the Headmaster of the
Theological Seminary of the Mission Covenant Church. As a leader and
teacher, he imprinted his unmistakable mark on pastors and colleagues
within the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden. Many also knew Engstroem
as an active liberal and broad-minded politician. Following retirement
he spent time as a member of the board of the liberal political party
"Folkpartiet."
With Engstroem being Emeritus since 1985, the Engstroems divided their
time between their homes in Sommiere, France, and Stockholm, Sweden,
Andersson noted. While in Sweden, Engstroem devoted his time to several
projects, including the congregation of the Mission Covenant Church at
Lidingo, the building of the Ansgar Church, church conferences and other
public appearances. Together with Margit, he also took the time to
contact friends and colleagues, apparently always vigorous and active.
"An unusually vivid, well-read, committed and driving leader in the
Christian church has left us," Andersson observed. "The Mission Covenant
Church of Sweden thanks God for Olle Engstroem and wishes for peace to
his memory. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family."
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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