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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
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Bishop Hoyt Responds to Presidential Address September 15, 2005 – Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., President of the National Council of Churches USA and Christian Methodist Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana and Mississippi, has issued the following response to President Bush's address to the nation tonight: It is commendable for President Bush to apologize for the mistakes made in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We welcome his pledge to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. We celebrate his promise to address the injustices that were so profoundly exposed by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding of New Orleans. Both his apology and his promises will help us move forward as a nation. Yet, as his sisters and brothers in faith, we feel it is our duty to remind the President that an apology and promises will only go so far. Now, as a nation, we must acknowledge that this crisis has only exposed what lies just beneath the surface of prosperity and progress in this country. In America, we have a past that haunts us on every level of our existence. We now see all too clearly that a person's race and class can often determine whether or not you are left behind in the Super Dome or escorted to safety. September 12, 2005 – In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Congress' traditional August recess was cut short as leaders returned to the nation's capital to take up "emergency supplemental spending" for the ravaged Gulf Coast region, according to the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations (OGR) in Washington, D.C. Congress approved $10.5 billion dollars in federal funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), after the agency advised congressional leaders that an immediate infusion of funding was needed, prompting the special session. Additional aid to the region and an "economic stimulus package" to offset the disaster's impact on the national economy are expected be considered in coming weeks. September 14, 2005, WASHINGTON/GENEVA – As world leaders gather for the United Nations World Summit, September 14-16 in New York to discuss among other concerns, global poverty reduction, an international group of Christian leaders has called on world governments to facilitate further partnerships with churches and religious organizations in the fight against poverty. "We believe that our communities of faith, representing millions of people and sponsoring numerous human-development initiatives, can provide new models for advancing a global movement against poverty," the 30 church leaders from the Northern and Southern hemispheres said in a communiqué following a September 11-13 conference at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington D. C. Overcoming Poverty Is Focus of Interfaith Vigil September 16, 2005 – Religious leaders and people of faith concerned about the plight of the world's poor united in a three-day interfaith vigil of prayer and fasting September 14-16, which ran concurrently with the United Nations' 60th annual general assembly in New York. Asking U.S leaders to increase aid to fight global poverty and to fulfill its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – an eight-prong declaration that seeks to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015 – Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Cape Town and Jim Wallis, editor of the Christian social justice magazine "Sojourners," came together in a time of witness at the vigil's closing ceremony September 16.
Organizations accepting donations for Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts – Click for list Churches Band Together for Storm Response in Meridian, Miss. September 16, 2005, MERIDIAN, Miss. – An old adage says you can't be all things to all people. When it comes to helping hurricane victims, churches in Meridian are trying. Four United Methodist churches have worked together and with city officials to provide aid and support to those stranded by Hurricane Katrina. Central United Methodist opened its Red Cross shelter on Aug. 28, the day before Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Mississippi and Louisiana. Later, Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church also opened as a shelter. St. Paul and Haven United Methodist churches have provided support for both shelters. Arkansas Church Camps Receive Katrina Evacuees September 16, 2005, LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Waves of Hurricane Katrina survivors flooded into Arkansas in the wake of the devastating Aug. 29 storm that demolished New Orleans and dozens of coastal communities in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Two weeks after the horrendous storm, Arkansas government officials estimated there were 5,000 displaced people at 26 sites across the state and another 45,000 people in private homes and hotels. Fort Chaffee, a military camp near Fort Smith, was the first stop in Arkansas for many of the evacuees, some of whom were airlifted out of New Orleans on C-130 military transport planes. From there, smaller groups were bused to church and Boy Scout camps across the state. Gov. Mike Huckabee's office has coordinated use of the camps. Episcopal Diocesan Digest: Special Hurricane Relief Edition September 15, 2005 – ALABAMA: Alabama deacons help organize relief efforts Evacuated Students Welcomed to Episcopal Schools September 16, 2005 – It was back to basics as Episcopal schools in the South and across the country began taking in students evacuated from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. "I told the faculty that the number one goal is to make them feel safe," said the Rev. Deacon Frances "Boo" Kay, head of the Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. "The number two goal is just to love them and the number three goal behind all that is to teach them what you know." As many as 3,000 students were affected by the storm, according to the Rev. Peter Cheney, executive director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools. Commentary: In the Winds of Katrina, a Call to Repentance September 14, 2005 – ". . . and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" – Micah 6:8 The traumatic consequences of Hurricane Katrina validate the warnings of history and the great religious traditions of the world. Authentic security is found only in the practice of justice, which the Hebrew and Christian Bibles define primarily as enabling the poor, the children, the weak and the vulnerable to flourish as beloved children of God. The Hebrew prophets warn that nations that fail to practice such justice by protecting "the orphans, the widows and the strangers" will disintegrate and collapse. Churches Minister to Evacuees, Volunteers Amid Ruins September 15, 2005, GULFPORT, Miss. – When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the Rev. Ray Stokes and his wife stayed in their home and watched the storm. "We were fools. We will never do that again," said Stokes, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport. The storm made landfall twice Aug. 29, killing an unknown number of people, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of thousands, and decimating coastal communities in Louisiana and Mississippi. Lutherans' Gifts Exceed $6.1 Million or Hurricane Katrina Relief, Recovery September 16, 2005, CHICAGO – Financial gifts to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) through Sept. 15 totaled more than $6.1 million to support disaster relief and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Many of the church's 4.9 million members and others contributed the funds by mail, by phone or through the ELCA's Web site. "This overwhelmingly generous response from Lutherans will enable a comprehensive relief and recovery effort now and for years to come," said Kathryn Sime, director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal. Lutherans Remember, Care for Disaster Survivors September 15, 2005, CHICAGO – This past Sunday Lutherans prayed and remembered the loss of life from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and from Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast Aug. 28-29. Lutherans across the United States and Caribbean continue to offer their time, prayers and resources to meet the needs of disaster survivors. "As congregations observed the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and came to grips with the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, we remembered in prayer those whose grief is four years old and for those whose grief is two weeks old. Gay Religious Leader Addresses Congressional Summit on Katrina Relief September 16, 2005, WASHINGTON, DC – The world's largest gay church group was among participants in a joint meeting of U.S. congressional leaders and faith-based organizations invited to make recommendations for the evolving government response to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Reverend Dr. Cindi Love, Executive Director of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), represented MCC at the September 9 meeting convened by U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass). In her remarks, Dr. Love described the plight of a lesbian couple with three children who lost their housing and all of their possessions in the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. "As terrible as was the loss experienced by all families, gay and lesbian families have experienced added trauma due to inequalities in the law. Orthodox Christian Charities of Wisconsin Offers Generous Donation to Katrina Disaster Relief Fund September 16, 2005, NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America received a generous $50,000 donation for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund from Orthodox Christian Charities of Wisconsin (OCCW), presented by Co-founders Arthur and Chrysoula Labros at the Archdiocese on September 15th. OCCW was founded in the State of Wisconsin in 1998 as a non-profit public charity under the auspices of the Clergy SYNDESMOS. Mr. Labros serves as Chairman of the Board and Mrs. Labros as President and oversees the Board of Directors which is comprised of 15 board members. Brethren Volunteer Service Workers Placed, New Volunteer Training Unit Begins September 15, 2005, ELGIN, IL – The Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) summer unit 265 completed training Aug. 12 at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. BVS also has announced the start of its fall orientation unit, to be held Sept. 25-Oct. 14 in New Windsor. BVS is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren. The fall training will gather 26 volunteers from the US and Germany, with Church of the Brethren members making up most of the group. The training will include a weekend immersion at an inner-city Baltimore homeless shelter. While there, the group will work at soup kitchens and Habitat for Humanity. Ecumenical Student Leaders Getting Ready for WCC Assembly September 13, 2005 – Next February, twenty-six young leaders from the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) will come together in Porto Alegre, Brazil, to offer their experiences and challenges to the wider ecumenical movement. The WSCF Executive Committee will have its annual meeting immediately before the World Council of Churches (WCC) 9th Assembly in order to allow its members to participate in the ecumenical summit. The WSCF, founded in 1895, is a community of over 100 student organizations from over 90 countries, with a membership that amounts to more than half a million students. "As one of the oldest ecumenical youth and student organizations, we aim to fully participate in a WCC Assembly that wants to be very open to youth, offering the contribution of empowered Christian students who are schooled and practised in ecumenism," says WSCF vice-chair, Ms Adèle Djomo Ngomedje, from the Movement of Protestant Students in Cameroon. Be Careful What You Pray For... September 14, 2005 – ‘'The theme of the upcoming 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) is a prayer: God, in your grace, transform the world. But perhaps we ought to ask the question ‘What would we do if God actually answered that prayer?' Or ‘Dare we pray for transformation?' Our immediate reaction might be to rejoice. The world does need to be transformed. The monstrous evil of poverty that destroys the lives of so many could be defeated. Everyone could enjoy clean water, sufficient food and an education. Trade could be fair with no one's labour being exploited. Killer diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis could be eradicated. The spread of HIV/AIDS could be halted and effective and affordable treatment be provided for all. Political and economic corruption could be curtailed and we could cease to rely on armed force to make others do our bidding. All that is possible now. The transformation required is that of our political will. But would we really rejoice? Obispo Anglicano De Nigeria No Invita a Iglesia Brasileña 16 septiembre 2005, PORTO ALEGRE, Brasil – El obispo primado anglicano de Nigeria, Peter Akinola, informó a su colega brasileño, Orlando Santos de Oliveira, que la participación de la Iglesia Episcopal Anglicana de Brasil (IEAB) no es bienvenida en el III Encuentro Anglicano del Sur Global. El encuentro reunirá en Alejandría, Egipto, del 25 al 31 de octubre próximo, a provincias anglicanas del Hemisferio Sur, bajo el tema "Una, santa, católica e iglesia apostólica." Akinola justificó la inconveniencia de la presencia brasileña en el encuentro basado en declaraciones del obispo Jubal Neves, de la Diócesis Sur-Occidental, quien, en un informe al Concilio Diocesano, criticó al grupo conservador que viene defendiendo una "Nueva Comunión Anglicana." Médicos, Iglesia Católica Y Fuerzas Armadas Gozan De Confianza De La Población 15 septiembre 2005, SAO PAULO, Brasil – Una investigación del Instituto Brasileño de Opinión Pública y Estadística (IBOPE), realizada en agosto y divulgada la semana pasada, revela que el 90 por ciento de la población no confía en los políticos ni en los partidos, mientras que los médicos, la Iglesia Católica y las Fuerzas Armadas figuran, en ese orden, entre los profesionales e instituciones de mayor credibilidad entre los brasileños. En la encuesta de IBOPE, realizada del 18 al 22 de agosto a 2.002 electores en 143 municipios del país, las iglesias evangélicas aparecen en octavo lugar, detrás de los diarios, los ingenieros, la televisión y la rádio. Organización Evangélica Lanza Dramática Alerta Sobre La Juventud Argentina 16 septiembre 2005, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – La Alianza Cristiana de Iglesias Evangélicas de la República Argentina (ACIERA) hizo un llamado a la nación para que abra los ojos a la cruda realidad que enfrentan millones de jóvenes del país, condenados a la falta de empleo, la violencia y ausencia de ideales y principios éticos. Cada día en Argentina 11 jóvenes pierden la vida en sucesos violentos; de cada 3 conductores involucrados en accidentes graves, uno es joven; el 76 por ciento de consumidores de alcohol son menores de 26 años y uno de cada diez jóvenes reconoce haber probado drogas ilegales, revela el manifiesto que lanzó el jueves la organización religiosa en el Senado de la Nación. Pastor Proietti Dice Que Presentación De Declaración Sobre Juventud Fue Jornada Histórica 16 septiembre 2005, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Como una jornada histórica calificó Rubén Proietti, presidente de la Alianza Cristiana de Iglesias Evangélicas de la República Argentina (ACIERA), el lanzamiento, en el Senado de la Nación, de un manifiesto que demanda mejores opciones para la juventud y el ejercicio de valores éticos en todos los aspectos de la vida del país. "Ha sido una jornada histórica, no sólo por el lugar de los hechos, y el mensaje proclamado, sino porque nunca antes la iglesia había tomado actitudes tan incisivas como ésta," dijo Proietti a ALC, al concluir el acto realizado el jueves 15. Iglesia Evangélica Garantiza Transmisión Del Mundial De Fútbol En Sus Parroquias 14 septiembre 2005, BERLÍN, Alemania – La Iglesia Evangélica de Alemania (EKD, por sus siglas en alemán) adquirió para sus 16 mil parroquias los derechos de transmisión del campeonato mundial de Fútbol que se realizará el año 2006. La EKD cerró tratos con Infront, empresa que tiene los derechos para la transmisión no comercial del evento deportivo. Sólo los partidos de la selección alemana serán transmitidos en canal abierto para todo el país. Para el aficionado que quisiera ver los demás partidos, hasta una final sin el equipo alemán, tendrá que comprar el servicio de TV cerrada. Teólogas Anglicanas Piden Igualdad De Oprtunidades 16 septiembre 2005, PORTO ALEGRE, Brasil – Teólogas, clérigas y laicas conmemoraron los 20 años de ordenación de mujeres en la Iglesia Episcopal Anglicana de Brasil (IEAB) formulando un llamado de respeto a las diferencias y para que el sacerdocio femenino sea acogido en igualdad de condiciones en las congregaciones. El pedido figura en una carta abierta que un Encuentro de Mujeres Ordenadas (EMO), celebrado en Itaara, 350 kilómetros de Porto Alegre, del 8 al 11 de septiembre, envió al liderazgo de la IEAB. La reverenda Marinés Rosa dos Santos Bassotto, deán del templo de la Santísima Trinidad, en Porto Alegre, dijo a ALC que aunque las mujeres representan el 30 por ciento del clero nacional anglicano, aún subsisten preconceptos en relación al sacerdocio femenino. 14 septiembre 2005 – El tema de la próxima IX Asamblea del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) es una oración: Dios, en tu gracia, transforma el mundo. Pero tal vez deberíamos preguntarnos: ¿Qué haríamos si Dios respondiera a esta oración? O bien: ¿Realmente nos atrevemos a orar por transformación? Nuestra reacción inmediata podría ser de gozo. El mundo necesita en verdad ser transformado. El mal monstruoso de la pobreza que destruye tantas vidas podría ser derrotado. Todos podrían disfrutar de agua limpia, alimentación suficiente y educación. El comercio podría ser justo, sin que se explotara el trabajo de nadie. Enfermedades mortales como malaria y tuberculosis podrían ser erradicadas. La difusión del VIH/SIDA podría detenerse y podría ofrecerse a todos un tratamiento efectivo y al alcance de cualquiera. Evangélicos Piden Señal De Igualdad Al Gobierno Chileno 12 septiembre 2005, SANTIAGO, Chile – El obispo Bernardo Cartes, de la Iglesia Metodista Pentecostal de Chile, pidió al presidente Ricardo Lagos una "señal de igualdad" con respecto a la Iglesia Católica durante la tradicional ceremonia del Te Deum que cada año se celebra en la Catedral Evangélica chilena por la conmemoración de la Fiesta Nacional del país. El líder pentecostal formuló la demanda el domingo frente al presidente Lagos y los candidatos presidenciales congregados en la Iglesia Metodista Pentecostal y sostuvo que del mismo modo que el gobierno apoya la canonización del sacerdote jesuita Alberto Hurtado, debería facilitar la construcción de templos evangélicos en el país. Líderes Estudiantiles Ecuménicos Participarán En Asamblea Del CMI 13 septiembre 2005 – El febrero próximo, veintiséis dirigentes de la Federación Universal de Movimientos Estudiantiles Cristianos (FUMEC) se reunirán en Porto Alegre, Brasil, para ofrecer sus experiencias y desafíos al movimiento ecuménico en general. El Comité Ejecutivo de la FUMEC celebrará su reunión anual inmediatamente antes de la novena Asamblea del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) para que sus miembros puedan participar en esta reunión cumbre ecuménica. La FUMEC, fundada en 1895, es una comunidad de más de 100 organizaciones estudiantiles en más de 90 países, con una membresía de más de medio millón de estudiantes. Huracán Katrina Puede Cambiar La Política En Estados Unidos Dice Bob Edgar 16 septiembre 2005, GINEBRA, Suiza – Las consecuencias del huracán Katrina pueden cambiar el panorama político y religioso de los Estados Unidos, dijo el secretario general del Consejo Nacional de Iglesias de Estados Unidos (NCC), Bob Edgar, en una reunión celebrada en Ginebra entre líderes de iglesias europeas y estadounidenses. "El huracán Katrina puso en evidencia el racismo y la pobreza en los Estados Unidos," y el liderazgo del presidente George W. Bush está ahora "en cuestión" como resultado del huracán que asoló las costas del sur de los Estados Unidos a finales de agosto, afirmó Edgar el miércoles 14. ELCA Presiding Bishop Joins Call for Halt in Federal Budget Process September 15, 2005, CHICAGO – Calling the federal budget "a concrete expression of our shared moral values and priorities," the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined with four other U.S. religious leaders and called on the U.S. Congress to stop the federal budget reconciliation process for fiscal year 2006. The religious leaders made their recommendation in a Sept. 13 letter to Congress, noting the "unprecedented devastation" caused by Hurricane Katrina which exposed "the all too many faces of poverty living in the wealthiest nation on the planet." Irish Methodists Welcome IRA Peace Moves September 12, 2005 – Methodists are waiting for concrete results from recent statements by the Irish Republican Army, the paramilitary group, regarding the end to its armed campaign in Northern Ireland. "The IRA announcement is a very positive move forward and the most generous response we have had so far," observed the Rev. Jim Rea, former president of the Irish Methodist Church and superintendent minister of the Portadown Circuit. "However, it must be backed with actions that are clearly verifiable, and until this happens, trust will not be cemented." Historic Religious Gathering Sees Unique Opportunity to End Global Poverty September 14, 2005 – A consultation of international religious leaders delivered a consensus statement to the United Nations on the eve of its 60th annual General Assembly in New York, reaffirming support for the Millennium Development Goals and calling for increased collaboration between churches and governments to augment their work for the poor. The September 13 statement, titled "A Call to Partnership: Communiqué from the Consultation of Religious Leaders on Global Poverty," declared that "one-sixth of the world's people still fight daily for survival under the crushing burden of extreme poverty" and urged governments to take concrete steps towards creating a just society, building partnerships, promoting accountability and transparency, canceling debt, increasing development assistance, and supporting peace-building through security. ELCA Observes ‘A Day for Darfur' to Stop the Genocide September 13, 2005, CHICAGO – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was one of more than a dozen human-rights and faith-based organizations that hosted a rally and vigil to mark the one-year anniversary of the Bush Administration's declaration of genocide in the Darfur region of western Sudan in Africa. "A Day for Darfur: Stop the Genocide, Protect the People" was Sept. 8 in Washington, D.C. "The United States is appalled by the violence in Darfur, Sudan," President George W. Bush said Sept. 9, 2004. "We have concluded that genocide has taken place in Darfur. We urge the international community to work with us to prevent and suppress acts of genocide. WCC Executive Urges Churches to Exercise "Unique Potential" for Peace September 16, 2005 – Churches must take responsibility to nurture healing in broken societies and to promote peace, urged leaders of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in public statements on Haiti and small arms released today. The 25-member WCC executive committee was meeting at the WCC's Bossey Ecumenical Institute, near Geneva, 13-16 September 2005, in its last full meeting prior to the WCC 9th Assembly in 2006. Jewish, Christian Leaders on a Mission of Peace to Jerusalem September 15, 2005 – For more than a year, leaders of the mainstream Christian and Jewish communities of the United States have been working constructively to address issues that concern the two communities, of which the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is by far the most serious. Standing on the rich tradition of working together to address questions of social justice, 17 leaders representing eight Christian denominations and national organizations and six national Jewish organizations and religious movements will spend five days together, from September 18-23, in the land that is holy to both faiths. The trip seeks to demonstrate that Christians and Jews can work together and dialogue on peace, even when there is disagreement on specific policies and solutions, and to enable the participants to become even more effective advocates for peace. Richard Wong, NYC Habitat Leader, Dies September 16, 2005, BROOKLYN, NY – Richard K. Wong, long-time Director of Community Partnerships at Habitat for Humanity New York City, died suddenly on September 15. Aaron Bouska, Senior Advocacy Program Associate, issued a statement on behalf of Habitat for Humanity NYC: "Our colleague, mentor, and friend Richard Wong passed away suddenly yesterday as a result of a massive stroke. Please keep Richard's family in your prayers. Obviously, this is something that has devastated all of us. Richard Wong was Habitat for most of us, embodying the spirit of compassion, and a true man of God." "His loss has been a shock and his contribution to the work of building a just and compassionate city was beyond measure," said Marc Greenberg, Executive Director of the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing. |
