September 1, 2005

JERUSALEM/BETHLEHEM – The Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) adopted the following action on 1 September 2005:

• To terminate on the basis of provisions in the LWF Constitution the term of service of Bishop Walter E. Obare Omwanza as adviser to the LWF Council for his inappropriate action of interfering in the life of a member church by consecrating a pastor of the Church of Sweden as a bishop without the agreement of the Church of Sweden. This action has negative consequences for the unity of the LWF as a communion of churches and is inconsistent with Bishop Obare's role as an adviser to the Council.

• The termination of his service has no implication whatsoever on the membership status of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya in the LWF.

The recommendation to terminate his tenure as adviser to the Council came from the LWF Executive Committee, which met 19*21 February 2005 in Geneva, Switzerland. The 13-member committee confirmed it had received the news that Obare consecrated Rev. Arne Olsson as bishop of the Mission Province in Sweden on 5 February 2005.

Bishop Dr Zephania Kameeta, LWF Vice-President for the Africa region and a member of the LWF Executive Committee, said, "the African bishops and presidents met with Bishop Obare in September 2004 at the LWF Council meeting, listened to his concerns, and then advised him against going to Sweden in order to consecrate a bishop."

The Council wishes to emphasize that this action is no reflection on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, but an internal matter between Bishop Obare and the Council of the LWF. "By interfering in the affairs of the Church of Sweden, Bishop Obare has undermined his role as adviser to the Council. In view of his role as adviser to the Program Committee for Theology and Studies, the Council can no longer receive his advice with confidence," said Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, LWF general secretary.

"My concern is that we uphold the unity of the LWF while always respecting diversity among our member churches. The actions of Bishop Obare threaten that unity," said LWF President Bishop Mark S. Hanson.

Lutheran World Information