 |
 |
 |
 |
Rev. N. J. L'Heureux, Jr., Publisher & Editor
Rev. Pedro Bravo-Guzman, Editor-in-Chief
An Ecumenical Report of Local and Global News
in God's Household
Published by the Queens Federation of Churches
|
NCC Applauds Senate Resolution on Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Calls for Swift Action June 23, 2005, WASHINGTON, DC – The National Council of Churches USA, an ecumenical body compromised of 36 member denominations representing close to 45 million congregants, applauds the "sense of the Senate" resolution yesterday calling for passage of mandatory reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. However, we are gravely disappointed that the Senate did not pass binding legislation that would require mandatory steps to stop climate change. We urge the Senate to move swiftly on this call and enact climate legislation that produces real and significant reductions in greenhouse emissions. June 23, 2005 – The theme for the World Council of Churches (WCC) 9th Assembly, to be held in Porto Alegre, Brazil 14-23 February 2006, invites us to return to, and re-appropriate, the resources of prayer. In the Bible, prayer is infused into the partnership between God and human beings. To pray is not, hence, to shift responsibility to God but to prepare ourselves for the tasks in partnership. To pray in truth is to be willing to work alongside with God in addressing the issue we pray for. Prayer that dodges partnership and escapes responsibilities is magical, not spiritual. Exploring Your Call Event for Youth Will Be Held at Bethany Theological Seminary June 23, 2005, ELGIN, IL – Exploring Your Call, an event for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, will be held at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., on Aug. 4-9. The event is an opportunity for youth to consider issues of faith and vocation. Bethany is the Church of the Brethren's theological school. Remaining funds from a $2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.'s Theological Vocational Exploration Program Initiative, received by Manchester College on behalf of eight Brethren institutions, allow Bethany to offer the event for an additional year. Dubious Designation: Donations with Strings Attached Leave Mission Hospital in Money Tangle June 21, 2005, BLANTYRE, Malawi – It's one thing for a well-intentioned Presbyterian congregation in the United States to send money to Malawi to add a new wing to an overcrowded rural hospital. For such a congregation to give its money with no strings attached – "undesignated" – is something else entirely. The hospital might use that "undesignated" money to repair or improve existing space, or to pay the phone bill, or to buy such essentials as clean mattresses and sheets. Undesignated money is particularly helpful because recipients can use it to address their most urgent needs, Presbyterian mission workers in Malawi say. June 24, 2005 – The new Episcopal Books & Resources work group at the Episcopal Church Center has begun consolidation of the programs previously known as Episcopal Parish Services and the Episcopal Book/Resource Center. Orders may still be placed from the current catalog using the toll-free numbers 800.903.5544 (formerly Parish Services) and 800.334.7626 (for the Church Center bookstore). ACC Considers Listening on Sexuality Issues, Christian-Muslim Ties, Environmental Advocacy June 23, 2005, NOTTINGHAM – Advances in Christian-Muslim relations and environmental advocacy were reported today to the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), which also heard how the listening process on sexuality issues is unfolding around the Communion. Aspects of increasing globalization echoed throughout the morning session, during which Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams underscored the importance of cross-cultural understanding "as the world shrinks." June 23, 2005, GENEVA – In May 2000, Rev. Bekure B. Daba became the first woman to be ordained as a pastor in the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY). Two years later, she was elected president of the Ghimbi Jorgo Synod in the west, becoming the EECMY's only woman synod leader. But ordination came after a long wait – 20 years – since her graduation from Addis Ababa's Mekane Yesus Theological Seminary, followed by various roles in the church. The over 4-million-member church now counts six women among its 1,287 pastors, who serve in more than 5,500 congregations. Jewish-Christian Dialogue: a Demanding Miracle June 22, 2005 – Given the history of their relationships, interreligious dialogue between Christians and Jews may be seen as a "miracle," but it's also a complex and demanding endeavour. In the following article, three practitioners of interreligious dialogue – two Jewish and one Christian – who participated at a major interreligious conference hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) early June in Geneva share their views on what it takes to advance a dialogue often complicated by political issues. June 22, 2005, NOTTINGHAM – Recognizing the key role that faith plays in society, Member of Parliament Hilary Benn presented a message of hope June 22 to the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), the principal consultative body of the Anglican Communion. "As I travel around the world and visit communities, I am always struck that it is faith that inspires people to do something to help their fellow human beings," said Benn, the Labour Party's minister for international development, on the third day of ACC business in Nottingham. Russian Orthodox Church Hopes for "New Page" in WCC Relations June 24, 2005 – Meeting with a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation in Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexis II, has expressed gratitude for actions of "authentic Christian solidarity" by ecumenical organizations during the Soviet period, and affirmed the commitment of his church to full participation in the WCC. However, the patriarch warned that new developments in some churches may undermine ecumenical relations. Alexis II emphasized how, during the communist period, membership in the WCC had helped the church endure a period of isolation and persecution. El Evangelio Según El Premio Nobel José Saramago 21 jun 2005, LA HABANA, Cuba – El escritor portugués, José Saramago, Premio Nobel de Literatura, dijo que el infierno "nunca ha tenido nada que ver con la religión." "Para mí, sostuvo, el infierno es este planeta donde vivimos, donde sufrimos, donde creamos." Saramago, ateo confeso, dijo sin embargo que el fenómeno religioso siempre le ha interesado "La gente tiene necesidad de creer en algo que lo trasciende y que va mas allá, que es una forma de tratar de equilibrar los desastres del mundo," y creer "en algo, que al final hará justicia," precisó. Obispos Católicos Piden Reforma Del Estado Y Del Sistema Político 24 jun 2005, BRASILIA, Brasil – La Conferencia Nacional de Obispos del Brasil (CNBB) expresó, en un mensaje al pueblo brasileño, confianza en el discernimiento y firmeza de la Presidencia de la República en la investigación de las denuncias de corrupción ventiladas recientemente en esta capital federal y pidió reformar el Estado y el sistema político. "La corrupción consiste no solo en delitos individuales, sino en prácticas existentes en estructuras de la sociedad, especialmente en el funcionamiento del sistema político," dice el mensaje de la CNBB. Iglesias Reformadas En Argentina Esperan Que Jamás Se Esconda La Verdad 24 jun 2005, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Las Iglesias Reformadas de la Argentina (IRA) expresaron su esperanza que "nunca más se intente esconder y guardar en secreto lo que debe estar a la plena luz del día," al saludar la anulación de las leyes del Punto Final y Obediencia Debida, que la Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Nación dispuso el 14 de junio. Las leyes de Punto Final y Obediencia Debida que fueron dictadas en el gobierno del ex-presidente Raúl Alfonsín, impedían la apertura de acusaciones penales contra los responsables de los crímenes cometidos durante la dictadura militar argentina y sus secuelas (entre 1976 y 1983) y despenalizaban a los elementos castrenses comprometidos, bajo al argumento del cumplimiento de funciones. Billy Graham En Su "Última" Campaña Evangelística 20 jun 2005, NUEVA YORK – Después de seis décadas de predicar el Evangelio a millones de personas en decenas de países, Billy Graham está concluyendo este fin de semana (24-26 de junio) su activo ministerio con una campaña evangelística en Nueva York. El sitio de la campaña fue trasladado del Madison Square Garden al vecino Flushing Meadows Park en Queens para acomodar a más personas. Graham, de 86 años, no ha gozado de muy buena salud en los últimos tiempos, pero esto no le ha quitado su empeño en seguir adelante y predicar "una vez más" a las miles de personas que normalmente se reúnen para escuchar sus prédicas de arrepentimiento y conversión a Jesucristo. Rick Warren Se Une a Campaña Para Luchar Contra La Pobreza 22 jun 2005, WASHINGTON – Rick Warren, celébre autor del libro "Una Iglesia con Propósito," se unió al llamado que líderes religiosos y políticos influyentes han efectuado al presidente de los Estados Unidos, George W. Bush, para que apoye una campaña mundial que hará que "la pobreza pase a la historia." "Nunca he estado involucrado en partidos políticos y tampoco lo intento ahora," expresa Warren, "pero la pobreza mundial es un tema que va más allá de lo meramente político. Es un tema de moralidad, es un tema de compasión, y porque Jesús nos ordena a ayudar al pobre, es un tema de obediencia," afirma. Niños De Diferentes Religiones Pueden Orar Juntos En La Escuela 16 jun 2005 – La enseñanza de la religión en contextos multirreligiosos es algo que preocupa cada vez más a iglesias y comunidades religiosas en todas partes. Esta entrevista con una educadora cristiana de la India presenta una experiencia específica en un contexto multirreligioso en Asia. "Niños de diferentes religiones pueden orar juntos en la escuela," dice Usha Jesudasan, periodista y escritora de la India, país en que cristianos, hindúes, musulmanes y gentes de otras religiones viven en la misma comunidad local. Jesudasan apuesta por la idea de integrar en las escuelas la educación y los valores interreligiosos para promover la paz y la armonía. 23 jun 2005 – El tema de la novena Asamblea del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), que tendrá lugar en Porto Alegre, Brasil, del 14 al 23 de febrero de 2006, nos invita a volver a la oración y a reapropiarnos sus recursos. En la Biblia, la oración es parte de la alianza entre Dios y los seres humanos. Orar no es, entonces, trasladar a Dios la responsabilidad, sino prepararnos nosotros mismos para las tareas que se derivan de esa alianza. Orar en la verdad es estar dispuesto a trabajar junto con Dios para resolver la cuestión por la que rezamos. An Interfaith Campaign to End Global Poverty and Promote Trade Justice June 21, 2005 – A Call to March For Justice On Saturday, July 2, 2005 at 10 AM, Thousands of People from all walks of life will gather at Uhuru Park to be part of an important event: The People s March For Justice: an Interfaith and Civil Society Organization Campaign to End Global Poverty. Organized in conjunction with the Kenyan Global Call of Action against Poverty (GCAP) Coalition, the People s March is an interfaith and civil society initiative calling for immediate cancellation of debts without harmful conditions, trade justice, more and better quality aid, and transparent and accountable governance in African countries. June 22, 2005, COBAN, Guatemala/GENEVA – Life for local communities in El Estor municipality, some 320 kilometers from Guatemala City, involves a constant struggle for improved environment and better health in an area where mining companies are exploiting the land and other natural resources. The Maya-Q'eqchi people are concerned not only about the government's granting of mining licenses to private companies without consulting them, they worry about the long-term impact of such development-oriented activities. June 24, 2005, NOTTINGHAM – Devoting two business sessions to discussion of peacemaking in Israel and Palestine, the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) on June 24 commenced a three-day focus on ecumenism, and continued the listening process on sexuality issues. "We heard from Israel Jewish voices, and from Palestinians, both those who reside in Israel and those who live under occupation," said Dr. Jenny Plane Te Paa – "ahorangi" or dean of Te Rau Kahikatea, an indigenous constituent of the College of St. John the Evangelist in Auckland, New Zealand – in presenting the report of the Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN). June 17, 2005 – A historic 90-minute video conference on peace in the Holy Land, moderated by television journalist Dan Rather, will be held on June 26, at 2:30 pm EST. Anglican Bishop Riah Abu El Assal, of Jerusalem, along with other religious, and civil society leaders from Jerusalem and Washington, DC, will make statements about the possibilities of Palestinian-Israeli peace. Discussions with inter-religious audiences, from more than 30 cities across the U.S., will be hosted by local Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders. Participants are encouraged to break bread together and engage in planning for local initiatives. The purpose of the video conference is to demonstrate to the world the breadth, depth, and commitment to action of the growing collective voice to help resolve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Israeli-Palestinian Peacemaking Central in Anglican Network Report June 24, 2005 – Recognizing the suffering on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a report from the Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN) was received June 24 by the 13th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) assembled at England's University of Nottingham. The presentation also addressed care for refugees in Africa and conflict resolution, as well as offering recommendations on theological education, interfaith relations and environmental issues in the Anglican Communion. Resolution from the Anglican Peace and Justice Network: The Israeli Palestinian Conflict June 24, 2005 – The discussion of the Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN) was thorough and an additional session was allocated to facilitate maximum participation from the floor of the ACC. Note was duly made of the representations made to Lambeth, ACC and others concerning the Palestine/Israeli conflict. An amended resolution of three parts passed unanimously, local provinces are now to respond to the ACC resolution. June 23, 2005, LOS ANGELES – The Reverend Dr. Troy Perry, founder of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), the largest international church started in and reaching beyond the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities, will be speaking and signing a new book entitled, "Troy Perry: Pastor and Prophet." Book signings have been announced in New York City (July 7), Atlanta (July 9 -10) and Los Angeles (October 8-9). This "coffee table book" is a tribute to Rev. Perry, chronicled through full color pictures and dozens of stories about his ministry from early childhood through his announced retirement as Moderator of MCC. Major Biblical Commentary Published June 21, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – Fortress Press is pleased to announce the release of Psalms 2, a monumental new commentary in the Hermeneia series. This newest contribution to the acclaimed Hermeneia series provides in-depth analysis of Psalms 51-100. It is volume 2 of a three-volume work; volume 3 (Psalms 101-150) will come next, followed by volume 1 (Psalms 1-50), which will include the comprehensive introduction. Wisdom and Inspiration from the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA June 23, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – In the newly released Faithful and Courageous: Christians in Unsettling Times, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson calls Lutherans and other Christians to live out a courageous faith for the sake of the church and the world. In this sequel to his book, Faithful yet Changing: The Church in Challenging Times, he reflects on four key topics. With the Lutheran Handbook in Print, Who Needs Potlucks? June 17, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – "How to Avoid Being Burned at the Stake" . . . "How to Survive for One Hour in An Un-air-conditioned Pew" . . . "How to Stay Alert in Church. . . .With how-to's like these within its pages, it's no wonder that The Lutheran Handbook is flying off the shelves. Those wacky Lutherans sure know how to have a good time. A Christian Vision for Economic Life June 22, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – As international economic change accelerates and globalization becomes inevitable, Christians and others have asked: Are there any fair and viable alternatives to global capitalism? In her new book, Economy of Grace, University of Chicago theologian Kathryn Tanner answers affirmatively in this creative proposal for evaluating economic theory and a practical program for change. She finds in the Christian story an unyielding concern with economic matters and specific principles of economics and economic justice that can be brought into conversation with global capitalism today. Where Is God in Human Suffering? June 23, 2005, MINNEAPOLIS – An internationally renowned philosopher has strongly criticized traditional notions of God's role in human suffering and evil. In The Problem of Evil and the Problem of God, D. Z. Phillips, a British thinker now at Claremont Graduate University, gives a creative and original argument that the problem of evil is inextricably linked to our conception of God and that the concept of God in recent philosophy of religion is itself problematic, even harmful. He instead argues for God's creative presence amid suffering.
|
