Front Page

Edgar: Robertson's Call for the Murder of Chavez Is ‘Appalling to the Point of Disbelief'

August 23, 2005, NEW YORK – Pat Robertson's televised call for the U.S. government to murder Venezuela President Hugo Chavez "is appalling to the point of disbelief," National Council of Churches USA General Secretary Bob Edgar said today. Robertson said Monday on his 700 Club broadcast, "We have the ability to take (Chavez) out, and I think the time has come to exercise that ability." Edgar said most of the 45-million persons in the NCC's member communions will "resolutely condemn" Robertson's statement. "It defies logic that a clergyman could so casually dismiss thousands of years of Judaeo-Christian law, including the commandment that we are not to kill," Edgar said.

Potentially Church-Dividing Issues Discussed at Strasbourg Ecumenical Institute
Seminar Airs Varying Views on Bio-Ethics and Homosexuality

August 25, 2005, STRASBOURG, France/GENEVA – A number of ethical issues are challenging the churches increasingly, some of them leading to tensions that threaten unity within and among churches. It is against this background that the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France, focused its 2005 Summer Seminar, on two currently divisive issues, namely genetic engineering and homosexuality. Sixty participants from different countries and confessions attended the seminar. Although opinions were diverse, the participants engaged in an "open and charitable debate finding a great deal of consensus and identifying areas for further discussion," said Dr Kenneth Appold, research professor at the institute and the seminar's coordinator.

Families Ask That Fallen Soldiers Be Honored Sunday by a Tolling of Bells

August 24, 2005, NEW YORK – The National Council of Churches USA is asking persons of faith to honor the men and women who have fallen in the Iraq war with a nation-wide pealing of bells Sunday. Faithful America, the NCC's Web-based community of 100,000 faith-inspired activists across the country, is calling for a weekly nation-wide tolling of bells to extend the profoundly spititual tone of the vigil of Gold Star mothers outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Tex. The President's five-week vacation in Crawford ends next week. The use of bells to symbolize national support for U.S. troops and their families was suggested by consumer activist and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, whose organization, Democracyrising.us, is working to end the war. Nader passed the idea along to NCC General Secretary Bob Edgar. August 24 is the last Sunday Mr. Bush will be in Crawford, and Gold Star Families will join activist Cindy Sheehan in a prayer service outside the ranch. Sheehan, whose son Casey was killed in Iraq, has attracted worldwide attention by camping outside the Bush ranch.

United Methodist Leaders Support Call to Honor Fallen Soldiers

August 25, 2005 – United Methodist leaders are joining the National Council of Churches in a call for local congregations to ring bells Sunday, Aug. 28, in honor of the men and women who have died in the Iraq war. The appeal follows the NCC's show of solidarity in mid-August with military families holding a peace vigil outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. "To toll bells in solidarity with the vigil keepers in Crawford, Texas, is a holy and spiritual matter," said Jim Winkler, the top staff executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society in Washington. "Our concern is for the mothers who have lost their sons, and for all who have died in Iraq over the past two and a half years. Let us work and pray for a speedy end to this dreadful war."

General News

ELCA Assembly Addresses Variety of Topics
Voting Members Take Action on Sexuality Proposals, Churchwide Restructuring

August 25, 2005 CHICAGO/GENEVA – The Ninth Biennial Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) addressed a variety of topics including new worship resources, interim eucharistic sharing with the United Methodist Church, ethnic ministry strategies, churchwide structure and governance, sexuality proposals and a Middle East strategy. The assembly, ELCA's highest legislative authority met August 8-14 in Orlando, Florida under the theme, "Marked With the Cross of Christ Forever." ELCA Presiding Bishop, Mark S. Hanson, chaired the assembly attended by 2,300 people including 1,015 voting members.

Ministers Council Bylaw Amendment Defeated; Senate Affirms Resolution

August 25, 2005, VALLEY FORGE, Pa. – The Ministers Council Senate of American Baptist Churches USA has defeated an amendment to its bylaws regarding qualifications for membership, proposed by the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest Ministers Council. The vote taken Aug. 22 – 32 yes and 30 no – was short of the two-thirds affirmative responses needed for passage. Prior to the vote on Aug. 22, at the annual meeting of the Senate in Green Lake, Wis., "It was clear from this discussion that the senators viewed the issue as multi-faceted rather than as merely a referendum on the rightness or wrongness of the practice of homosexuality," said the Rev. Dr. C. Jeff Woods, associate general secretary for regional ministries.

Criminal Justice Summit Aims to Address Prison Ministry Needs

August 23, 2005 – Paul Dame lived and worked with prison inmates for more than two decades, carrying a gun and enforcing discipline as a correctional officer, then rising to the rank of captain and a job in prison administration. When he ventures behind bars again, Dame wants to bring hope. "I can't say the aim is so much to change the prison system as it is to reach out to those individuals who find themselves caught up in it," Dame said of his plan to become a prison chaplain.

Church Offers Homeless Musicians Place to Jam, Find Support

August 24, 2005 – With guitar picks in hand and a song on their lips, homeless musicians are finding a place in the walls of North Sacramento (Calif.) United Methodist Church. "I walked through these doors and this place greeted me. It has such an atmosphere here, such a soul of its own," said Lonnie Smith, a formerly homeless person who initiated weekly open jam sessions at the church. Each Wednesday, homeless and formerly homeless musicians step off the streets of Sacramento and into the church building for music and sanctuary. The music of congas, drums, and acoustic and electric guitars fill an upstairs room of the church, where the musicians play in whatever genre moves them that day – blues, rock ‘n' roll, folk music.

Christian Formation Focus of Two-day Workshop in Chicago

August 16, 2005 – The Diocese of Chicago, in conjunction with Province V is offering a unique learning opportunity for those working with adults, youth and children in lifelong Christian formation, called "Whose Church is it Anyway?" This two-day event, held August 26-27 at the conference center of the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois, is geared towards adult formation leaders, church school teachers, catechists, clergy, youth ministry coordinators, youth group leaders, religious education directors, youth ministers, Journey to Adulthood (JTA) leaders, and others. Those in attendance will participate in interactive workshops, hands-on use of resources, and brainstorming sessions for exploring questions and exchanging ideas and experiences.

New Songbook Will Offer Contemporary, Diverse Mix

August 22, 2005, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A songbook that captures the essence of 21st century worship in the African-American church is one step closer to reality, and Sept. 30 is the deadline for submitting music for possible inclusion. Zion Still Sings! For Every Generation is the title of the new resource, which will become available in January 2007 from the United Methodist Publishing House. The book will provide congregations with a resource for corporate singing with a black church flare, according to the editorial committee, which met Aug. 17-19 in Nashville. The title represents a continuation of the theme of the Songs of Zion songbook, created in 1981 by the Publishing House.

Children in Poverty Presentation Available from NM

August 23, 2005, VALLEY FORGE, Pa. – At the semiannual meeting of the General Board of American Baptist Churches USA in June, National Ministries' Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III made a presentation urging the Board to adopt "A Declaration of Importance for American Baptists on the Issue of Children in Poverty." In his presentation Wright-Riggins cited 2003 U.S. Census Bureau statistics indicating that more than one in six American children – 12.9 million – were poor by U.S. government standards. He said Jesus' statement that "you will always have the poor among you" (Matthew 26:11) means that people will "always find Christians near enough to the poor to reach out with caring ministries."

Opening Books Opens a Whole New World
Women in Northeastern DRC Empower Themselves Through Literacy

August 24, 2005, BUNIA, Democratic Republic of Congo/GENEVA – The group of women who attended the trauma counseling meeting in Bunia town, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, were all victims of sexual violence. It was also an opportunity for them to tell staff of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for World Service (DWS) program in Rwanda and the DRC what kind of recreational activities they wished to have organized as part of the trauma counseling program. Discussion centered on games, music and theater, but the women could not reach consensus on what they wanted as a group. Then 58-year old Ms Oloi suggested that reading books would be a good recreational activity. The rest burst out laughing.

Ecumenical News

Episcopal Bishops Attend Funeral for Brother Roger of Taizé;
Archbishop of Canterbury Sends Letter to Taizé Community

August 23, 2005 – They came from many nations, all denominations and all ages, to pay tribute to the founder of Taizé, as Cardinal Walter Kaspar of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity at the Vatican, presided at the funeral Eucharist August 23 for Brother Roger, murdered during a prayer service on August 16. At the funeral Anglican Bishop Nigel McCulloch of Manchester, England, read a passage from Isaiah with Reformed and Lutheran leaders reading the other lesson. Bishop Geralyn Wolf of Rhode Island was present as was the Bishop Anthony Priddis of Hereford, and Suffragan Bishop Mark Andrus of Alabama. The haunting prayers and chant so associated with the community at Taizé were sung throughout the liturgy in the Church of Reconciliation that rests in this picturesque part of France. "Nothing can ever come between us and the love of God, the love of God revealed to us in Christ Jesus" was sung as the congregation received Holy Communion.

American Baptists Share in Grief over Death of Brother Roger, Founder of Taizé

August 17, 2005, VALLEY FORGE, Pa. – American Baptists grieve with the worldwide Christian community over the death of brother Roger Louis Schutz-Marsauche, who was attacked and killed by a woman during evening prayers on August 16, 2005. He was 90 years old. In a statement today, American Baptist Churches USA general secretary, Dr. A. Roy Medley, said, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of brother Roger. We have had great love and respect for his commitment to radical Christian discipleship through radical love for others. He inspired generations by his bravery during WWII, his dedication to ecumenicity and his commitment to deepening one's life of prayer and worship."

New Commission Studies Condemnations of Anabaptists in Lutheran Confessional Writings
Outcome of National Dialogues Are an Important Resource

August 25, 2005, GENEVA – "The memories of the persecution and the killings of Anabaptists in large numbers so many hundreds of years back, are still very fresh and painful among Anabaptists/Mennonites today. Seeing church historians bring these issues to the fore emphasizes the importance of the work we have begun." These remarks by Rev. Sven Oppegaard, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs, pointed to the significance of the work of a study commission recently established between Lutherans and Mennonites. The mandate of the Lutheran – Mennonite International Study Commission which held its first meeting 27 June – 1 July 2005, in Strasbourg, France, is to consider the condemnations of Anabaptists in Lutheran confessional writings and their applicability to the teaching of Anabaptists/Mennonites today.

Portuguese-Speaking Women Intend to Be Heard at WCC Assembly

August 25, 2005 – No more violence! Portuguese-speaking women are hoping that this cry will be heard at the World Council of Churches' (WCC) next Assembly. "Violence is sin, and God calls us to salvation," they say. Meeting 11-15 August in Sâo Leopoldo, Brazil, some 50 women from churches in Angola, Brazil, Mozambique and Portugal worked to prepare for the WCC's 9th Assembly, to take place in Porto Alegre in February 2006. Language was not the only thing they had in common at a meeting that brought together Roman Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Reformed and Anglicans. There, the women discovered that the violence marking their daily lives was something else they shared. "We note that violence against women, whether physical, sexual, psychological, economic or spiritual, is a reality in our churches and our countries," says a message to the churches issued at the close of a meeting focused on the action of God's grace in women's lives.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Writes Jewish, Muslim Leaders about Assembly Action

August 23, 2005, CHICAGO (ELCA) – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), wrote to leaders of several U.S. Jewish and Muslim organizations Aug. 15 to communicate the actions of the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly related to the Middle East. The churchwide assembly met Aug. 8-14 at the Marriott World Center Resort and Convention Center in Orlando. About 2,300 participated including 1,015 voting members. Among other actions, churchwide assembly voting members urged Lutherans to participate in a campaign, "Peace Not Walls: Stand for Justice in the Holy Land." The campaign is designed to build awareness, and encourage accompaniment and advocacy activities for "peace with justice" between Israel and Palestine. By 668-269 the assembly endorsed the campaign.

Transforming the World Is Focus of WCC Events

August 23, 2005 – Transforming the world will be the focus of two October conferences organized by the U.S. office of the World Council of Churches (WCC), an ecumenical organization with 34 member churches in the United States – including the Episcopal Church – and more than 340 worldwide. "Shift your space – transform the world: young adults connecting ecumenically for peace and justice," which will be held October 8-10 in Hyde Park, Chicago, is an event for young adult leaders in peace and justice work which will "provide opportunities to draw on the strength of the unity of the church by building ecumenical connections." Seminarians, students and youth delegates to the WCC's 9th Assembly, which will meet in Porto Alegre, Brazil, February 14-23, 2006 "will find links between their peace and justice work and the World Council of Churches, and engage with the vision for peace promoted by the initiative, ‘Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches Seeking Reconciliation & Peace 2001-2010 (DOV).'"

Spanish News

Iglesias Evangélicas Se Solidarizan Con Obispo Maccarone

26 agosto 2005, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Las iglesias Evangélica Luterana Unida y Evangélica del Río de la Plata se solidarizaron con el obispo católico de Santiago del Estero, Juan Carlos Maccarone, que la semana pasada se vio envuelto en un escándalo mediático que lo obligó a renunciar al cargo. Las iglesias evangélicas sostienen que las acusaciones lanzadas contra el prelado son "insidias de quienes han procurado dañarlo de un modo tan inmoral" y aseguran que éstas "no han de prevalecer." Ambas iglesias enviaron una carta conjunta a la Conferencia Episcopal Argentina, el miércoles, suscrita por los pastores Alan Eldrid, presidente de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Unida y Federico Schäfer, presidente de la Iglesia Evangélica del Río de la Plata.

Obispo Argentino Envuelto En Escándalo Sexual Pidió Perdón a La Iglesia

23 agosto 2005, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – El obispo argentino Juan Carlos Maccarone, envuelto en un escándalo por supuestas relaciones homosexuales con un joven de 23 años, que, según se afirma, habrían sido filmadas y distribuidas las copias, pidió perdón a la Iglesia Católica por los daños que le causó, informó el lunes la prensa nacional. El religioso renunció a su cargo de obispo en la ciudad de Santiago del Estero, en el noroeste de Argentina, tras conocerse la existencia de un vídeo que muestra la relación íntima entre el sacerdote y un joven no identificado.

Papa Benedicto XVI Priorizará Diálogo Ecuménico

22 agosto 2005, COLONIA, Alemania – El papa Benedicto XVI anunció que convertirá el ecumenismo en una prioridad de su pontificado, tras afirmar que la humanidad aguarda respuestas cristianas comunes a los grandes temas éticos del mundo de hoy. "Los cristianos, dijo el Papa, empezando por mí mismo, esperan nuevos pasos de acercamiento entre las confesiones, por lo que es urgente profundizar e intensificar este diálogo sobre muchas cuestiones éticas que preocupan a la gente de hoy." El máximo representante de la Iglesia Católica se reunió el sábado con los líderes evangélicos, ortodoxos y otras confesiones cristianas alemanes en el Arzobispado de esta ciudad.

Pastor Cubano Pide a Iglesias Norteamericanas Que Repudien
Declaraciones De Tele-evangelista Pat Robertson

24 agosto 2005, LA HABANA, Cuba – El pastor Raúl Suárez pidió a las iglesias de los Estados Unidos que repudien las declaraciones del reverendo Pat Robertson, fundador de la Coalición Cristiana, quien sostuvo que el presidente de Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, "debe ser asesinado" por representar "un peligro terrorífico." Robertson acusó a Chávez de "expandir el comunismo y el islamismo" en América Latina, durante la emisión, el lunes, de su programa de televisión que transmite a nivel mundial la Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Suárez recordó al gobierno de los Estados Unidos que las iglesias están en "el decenio para superar todas las formas de violencia" y afirmó que la exhortación de Robertson a asesinar al mandatario venezolano constituye "un condicionamiento ante la opinión publica internacional" para promover actos como el declarado por el tele evangelista.

Violencia Es Pecado Afirma Reunión De Mujeres

23 agosto 2005, SÃO LEOPOLDO, Brasil – !Basta a la violencia! Es el grito que mujeres de habla portuguesa, al unísono, quieren hacer escuchar en la IX Asamblea General del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), a celebrarse en Porto Alegre en febrero de 2006. "Violencia es pecado, y Dios nos llama a la salvación," afirman. Reunidas en São Leopoldo del 11 al 15 de agosto, cerca de 40 representantes de diferentes denominaciones de Angola, Brasil, Mozambique y Portugal, emitieron un mensaje a las iglesias, en la cual reflexionan sobre la acción de la gracia de Dios en la vida de las mujeres.

CLAI Acusa a Robertson De Alentar El Terrorismo Internacional

25 agosto 2005, QUITO, Ecuador – El Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (CLAI) expresó sorpresa e indignación por las declaraciones del tele predicador Pat Robertson, quien pidió al gobierno de George W. Bush que liquide físicamente al presidente venezolano Hugo Chávez, por considerarlas alentadoras del "terrorismo internacional" "Desde el punto de vista legal y político, dice el pronunciamiento difundido ayer, estas son declaraciones altamente peligrosas que alientan al terrorismo internacional. Se sugiere asesinar a un presidente de una República democráticamente elegido. Es preconizar el "terrorismo de estado," agrega.

Para Evaluar La Evacuación De Gaza, El CMI Propone Escrutar
"Signos De Paz" En Los Meses Venideros

22 agosto 2005 – De acuerdo con la unidad de Asuntos Internacionales del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), para evaluar cabalmente la evacuación de Gaza es necesario prestar atención a una serie de "signos de paz" durante los meses venideros. Si el retiro de Gaza, que implica "altos costos personales para los involucrados," refuerza las perspectivas de paz no es un hecho que pueda entenderse en forma aislada, señala un documento de análisis del CMI destinado a iglesias miembro y organismos ecuménicos. Los "signos de paz" en cuestión incluirán la apertura de conexiones terrestres, marítimas y aéreas seguras desde Gaza hacia el mundo exterior, cuántas de las personas evacuadas de Gaza se reasentarán dentro de las fronteras de Israel anteriores a 1967, y si de ahora en más las decisiones que afectan a ambas partes del conflicto se negociarán equitativamente entre los dos bandos.

Mujeres De Habla Portuguesa Planean Hacerse Oír En La Asamblea Del CMI

25 agosto 2005 – Basta de violencia! Tal el grito que mujeres de habla portuguesa quieren hacer escuchar en la próxima Asamblea del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI). "Violencia es pecado, y Dios nos llama a la salvación," dicen. Reunidas del 11 al 15 de agosto en São Leopoldo, Brasil, unas 50 mujeres provenientes de iglesias de Angola, Brasil, Mozambique y Portugal, deliberaron en preparación para la novena Asamblea del CMI, a celebrarse en Porto Alegre en febrero de 2006. El idioma no fue el único común denominador en el encuentro, que reunió a católicas romanas, metodistas, presbiterianas, luteranas, reformadas y anglicanas. Las participantes descubrieron que también compartían realidades marcadas por la violencia.

Declaraciones De Tele Evangelista Pat Robertson Desatan Ola De Condena

23 agosto 2005, CHICAGO/MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Las declaraciones del tele-predicador Pat Robertson, frente a los miles de televidentes que siguen diariamente su programa "Club 700," instando al gobierno de Estados Unidos que mande asesinar al presidente de Venezuela Hugo Chávez, provocaron este martes un huracán de protestas de líderes de iglesias de diversas partes del mundo. Las reacciones de rechazo incluyeron al reverendo Jesse Jackson, líder de la lucha por los derechos civiles de los afro-americanos que demandó al presidente de Estados Unidos George W. Bush y a la secretaria de Estado, Condoleeza Rice que "repudien inmediatamente y se distancien de los comentarios de Robertson."

Iglesias Cristianas Repudian Incitación Al Magnicidio Lanzada
Por Tele-predicador Pat Robertson

23 agosto 2005, MARACAIBO, Venezuela – La Red de Iglesias Cristianas Venezolanas (REDICVEN) rechazó las declaraciones del influyente pastor estadounidense Pat Robertson, conductor del conocido programa de televisión "Club 700," quien dijo el lunes que el gobierno de los Estados Unidos debería mandar asesinar al presidente venezolano Hugo Chávez. En un comunicado público dirigido al pueblo venezolano, conocido hace unas horas, la red de iglesias acusa a Robertson de incitar a la violencia "proponiendo la eliminación física de un jefe de Estado constitucionalmente electo, haciendo uso del poder mediático del cual es dueño." Los cristianos venezolanos sostienen que Robertson hace uso de un lenguaje "cargado de fundamentalismo y terrorismo religioso" que llena de consternación a los pastores y pastoras evangélicos de la red.

International News

Border Issues Call Episcopalians to Action

August 22, 2005, SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Amid growing tensions over illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border, a gathering of Episcopalians in Scottsdale, Arizona, August 19-20 called for comprehensive reform and urged people of faith everywhere to shift the public debate by claiming it as a human right, rather than a political issue. About 100 people, some from as far away as New York, Chicago and Hawaii, attended the second "Bishop's Initiative on Border Issues," designed to educate and train congregations locally and, hopefully, nationally, said the Rev. Carmen Guerrero, who is both Canon for Peace and Justice and Multicultural Ministries in the Diocese of Arizona and National Jubilee Officer at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City. "This is not about politics, this is about human lives," said Guerrero. "This is a theological and moral issue."

Latin America Anglican Theological Congress Set for October Meeting

August 18, 2005 – The Latin America Anglican Theological Congress, a new initiative coordinated by a sub-commission of the Commission on Theological Education for Latin America and the Caribbean (CETALC,) will meet October 5-10, 2005 at the Hotel El Panama in Panama City, Panama to discuss globalization and its meaning for Latin America. The Congress was the brainchild of Canon Juan Marquez, international companionships officer in the Episcopal Church Center's Office of Anglican and Global Relations, and supervisor of the Commission. "It is expected that this event will make a significant contribution to the life and ministries of the Episcopal/Anglican Church in Latin America and the Caribbean," Marquez said.

Internal Movements Threaten Future of Brazilian Lutheran Church
Former LWF President Brakemeier Stresses Investment in IECIB's Continuity

August 24, 2005, SAO LEOPOLDO, Brazil/GENEVA – A former president of the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB) has called for change within the Brazilian Lutheran church, saying its current structure was not viable for the church's growth and future. Rev. Dr Gottfried Brakemeier, IECLB President 1985-1994, said the "feared division of the IECLB is in process," due to different currents organized as movements within the church. He stressed the need to invest in the church's continuity, which implied eliminating internal barriers that were impeding growth, controlling its centrifuge forces and joining together in a common project. Brakemeier, also former president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), 1990-1997, issued his remarks in an article sent electronically in June to leaders and movements within the church as "a contribution toward a necessary debate."

CRWRC Responds to Famine in Niger

August 23, 2005, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Drought, economic pressures, and reduced access to grazing land are affecting hundreds of thousands in Niger, especially the nomadic herds people of the Wodaabe and Tuareg tribes. CRWRC's international relief administrator Jacob Kramer reports. "These families are in great need. Many of their children are paying the ultimate price." Some reports estimate that 2.7 million Nigeriens are at risk of starvation, including 800,000 children. While tracking migrating tribes is challenging, increasingly substantial pockets of starving people are being discovered and there is not enough food to meet their needs. CRWRC has been working in Niger since 1991 in the areas of agriculture, literacy, health and income-earning programs.

Presiding Bishop Griswold Troubled by U.S.-Proposed Revisions of Global Poverty Agreements

August 26, 2005 – In response to the United States' proposed revisions to UN poverty-reduction strategies – as reported in today's New York Times and Washington Post – the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, issued the following statement: "I am deeply troubled by reports today that the United States has proposed revisions to UN global-poverty-reduction strategies that would undermine international commitments and partnerships already at work in the developing world. The Administration's sudden opposition to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the international target for rich nations to contribute 0.7% of GNP toward poverty reduction places an unwelcome obstacle in the path toward a more stable and secure world. The world religious community – which has been engaged in the work of international development for decades – knows firsthand the vital importance of partnership between governments and institutions in the developed world and their counterparts in poor countries."

Middle East News

Council of the Lutheran World Federation Meets in Jerusalem
Highlights Include Strategic Planning and Decision on Eleventh Assembly Venue in 2010

August 24, 2005, GENEVA – The annual meeting of the Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) begins with a festive worship service in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the old city of Jerusalem on Tuesday, 30 August, at 17.00 hrs. Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) will preach. The Council, at the ELCJHL's invitation, will be meeting August 31 to September 6 under the theme, "The Church: Called to a Ministry of Reconciliation." Plenary sessions will take place at the International Center of Bethlehem, which belongs to the ELCJHL.

To Evaluate Gaza Pullout, Says WCC, Look for Signs of Peace in the Months Ahead

August 22, 2005 – To fully evaluate the Gaza pullout, it is necessary to watch for a number of "signs of peace" in the months ahead, according to the international affairs unit of the World Council of Churches (WCC). Whether the Gaza withdrawal, which involves "high personal costs for those involved," enhances prospects for peace cannot be understood in isolation, an information brief to WCC constituencies says. Signs of peace will include the opening of secure land, sea and air links from Gaza to the outside world, how many of the people evacuated from Gaza are resettled within Israel's pre-1967 borders, and whether from now on decisions affecting both parties to the conflict are negotiated equitably between the two sides.