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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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Edgar Urges FEMA to Use Caution in Reimbursing Faith-based Groups September 30, 2005, WASHINGTON, DC – The General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA has urged caution on the issue of whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency should reimburse faith-based groups for their efforts to aid victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that FEMA has decided to reimburse religious organizations that have provided shelter, food and supplies for hurricane victims. FEMA's decision marks the first time taxpayer money has been used to make payments to faith-based groups following natural calamities. However, the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar pointed out Friday that such reimbursements "could easily upset the delicate balance that is the separation of church and state." It would be too easy, Edgar said, to cross the line of reimbursing churches and faith-based groups that assisted in the recovery "to actually funding the church with tax money." September 30, 2005, WASHINGTON, DC – The National Council of Churches USA (NCC) strongly opposes Congress' action yesterday which overhauled and weakened the Endangered Species Act (HR 3824). Prior to the vote, NCC joined with eight other Christian organizations, including several of its member denominations, to ask the U.S. House of Representatives to reject the proposed changes and continue full protection of endangered species because, as the letter states, "extinction is not stewardship." "As a religious community interested in protecting all of God's creation, including the seemingly most insignificant creatures, we oppose any piece of legislation that diminishes protection for species that are already in danger of becoming extinct," said Cassandra Carmichael, NCC's Director of Eco-Justice Programs.
Organizations accepting donations for Hurricane Relief Efforts – Click for list Caught by Storm, Chaplain Goes into Action in New Orleans September 29, 2005 – The Rev. Charles M. Herring went to New Orleans a few days early for a training event and ended up being in the wrong place at the right time. Most people wouldn't think being caught in one of the worst storms ever to hit the United States was a lucky coincidence, but Herring knows God placed him in the path of Hurricane Katrina for a reason. Herring, a United Methodist and U.S. Army chaplain, flew from Heidelberg, Germany, to New Orleans for a Department of Defense training program. He decided to bring his wife and mother along to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Crescent City for a few days before his training event was to begin. Disaster Child Care Adds New Site and New Training Opportunities September 29, 2005, ELGIN, IL – Norfolk, Va., has been added to the sites where Disaster Child Care volunteers are caring for children evacuated from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The program also has announced new training opportunities. Disaster Child Care is a ministry of the Church of the Brethren and serves at the request of FEMA and the American Red Cross. Volunteer child-care teams have been working in Lafayette and Shreveport, La.; Kingwood, W.Va.; Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Denver, Colo.; and Los Angeles and San Bernardino, Calif. The child care team that had begun work at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette before Hurricane Rita hit the Gulf Coast, was evacuated to Shreveport along with the evacuees they were serving. The team then set up child care at the Expo Center in Shreveport. Houston Church Becomes ‘Ark' for Stranded Family, Animals September 30, 2005, HOUSTON – Members of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church had begun to breathe a sigh of relief as Hurricane Rita made a turn to the east. Little did they know their church in far west Houston would soon be called upon to become an "ark." When Kenneth and Cora Price made the decision to evacuate their Rosharon home on Sept. 21 and head to Brenham, they knew it would take several hours. With thousands of others, they were under a mandatory evacuation order for parts of the Texas Gulf Coast. What the Prices didn't realize was that after three days, they would still not be in Brenham, a trip that would take two hours on a normal day. A Report to the Church from the House of Bishops September 27, 2005, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – We, the bishops of the Episcopal Church, greet you in the name of the compassionate and merciful Christ, remembering that, "it is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus' sake." (2 Cor. 4:5) Our regular fall meeting of the Community of Bishops and Spouses convened in Puerto Rico at the gracious invitation of Bishop David and Senora Maryleen Alvarez. At the 2003 General Convention, the Diocese of Puerto Rico was received with great enthusiasm as the newest diocese of the Episcopal Church. The spirited and warm hospitality extended to us and the tremendous mission being carried out by this community of 37,000 members encourages us greatly. Their ministry to the poor and the homeless, to the aged and the dying, and to all who are living on the edges of our common life inspires us. The hospitals and medical centers established by this diocese are the premier institutions for healing and wholeness in Puerto Rico. September 24, 2005 – Bishop D. Bruce MacPherson and the Diocese of Western Louisiana continue their ministries of emergency relief, shelter and pastoral care in the wake of Hurricane Rita's landfall today, with outreach including on-going care for evacuees displaced by Hurricane Katrina. "We just got power, telephone and computer access back within the last hour or so," MacPherson wrote by e-mail from central Louisiana about 9:30p.m. He said he "spent the day endeavouring to communicate with the diocese via my cell phone. Unfortunately so much of the southern portion of the diocese is without services of any kind. "The southeastern portion of the diocese has sustained wind and water damage and is under threat of flooding this night. I have been able to make contact with most of the clergy in that area. From what I have been able to ascertain, structural damage to churches has been minimal based upon the people that I have talked with. Church of the Brethren Holds a Cross-Cultural Round Table September 29, 2005 ELGIN, IL – To the question, "Are we here because we are committed to a multicultural church?" came the resounding answer, "Yes!" This emphatic response arose from a group of Church of the Brethren members and leaders convened first on April 24-26, and then in a follow-up session Aug. 30-31, in Richmond, Ind. The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership sponsored and called the round table meeting. The underlying concern was how to train leaders and assist congregations in being a multicultural church in which biblical life, theological integrity, and spiritual vitality reside, said Sonja Griffith in her report from the meetings. Griffith is pastor of First Central Church of the Brethren in Kansas City. Participants included many who have been working at cross-cultural issues for years. At the meeting were pastors from non-dominant groups in the Church of the Brethren, a representative from the Annual Conference Intercultural Study Committee, persons on the Cross-Cultural Steering Committee, the Annual Conference moderator and moderator-elect, several district executive ministers, General Board Congregational Life Team and Office of Ministry staff, and Bethany Seminary faculty and administrators. Police Dogs Get Bulletproof Vests, Thanks to Church Children September 29, 2005, THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Many fifth- and sixth-graders save their allowances to buy the latest video games or name-brand athletic shoes. But a youth group from Christ Church United Methodist took on a nobler cause: buying bulletproof vests for Texas police dogs. "I thought it was a really neat project to do," said Kasey Connor, 11, a member of the FISH (Fellowship In Serving Him) group at the church, located in the Woodlands near Houston. Annual Conference Council Reviews Plans for Church of the Brethren Conferences September 29, 2005, ELGIN, IL – The Annual Conference Council of the Church of the Brethren, the denomination's highest level of leadership, met Aug. 24-25 in Elgin, Ill. Jim Hardenbrook, past moderator of the Conference, will chair the council for 2005-06, reported secretary Fred Swartz in a summary of the meeting. Hardenbrook was chosen for the task by the members of the council in their annual reorganization meeting last month. The council also named Joan Daggett as vice chair, a position not designated before by the council. The council is drafting a contingency plan for Annual Conference, not only to deal with events that may interfere with the holding of a Conference, but also provision for handling a disaster that may bring destruction to the Annual Conference offices. The plan is considered to be good stewardship, rather than fear that a disaster may happen, reported secretary Fred Swartz. Another plan in the making is a marketing plan for Annual Conference. Confessing Movement Issues Statement on Unity September 28, 2005, CINCINNATI – The Confessing Movement within the United Methodist Church has issued a proclamation welcoming "serious attention to the denomination's unity and the basis of that unity." The proclamation was approved Sept. 24 by the more than 300 participants at the Confessing Movement's national conference. According to the two-page document, "Unity in Christ, That the World May Believe," the proclamation came as a reaction to discussion at the 2004 General Conference – which adopted a unity resolution – and the appointment of the Unity Task Force by the Council of Bishops. The document was introduced by the Rev. Maxie Dunnam, chancellor of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky., and vice president of the Confessing Movement, on behalf of the group's board of directors. Church must Change World Through Witness, Bishop Says September 28, 2005, CINCINNATI – To have an impact on the world, the church of the future must have a confident witness, and its people must be "atonement bearers," according to retired United Methodist Bishop George Bashore. "Atonement is not an isolated creedal statement," Bashore said, "but rather it speaks primarily of life-changing power through costly love. God takes the initiative through Christ with us, and so we take the mind of God in our relationship with a hurting world." Bashore spoke to participants in a workshop at the Confessing Movement's annual conference. The workshop, "A Bishop Looks at the Future of the Church," was one of several held during the Sept. 22-24 conference, which drew more than 300 people. The Confessing Movement is an unofficial United Methodist caucus working to help the church "retrieve its classical doctrinal identity," according to the organization's Web site. Archbishop Supports New Book That Challenges Church Line on Gays WALES – The Archbishop of Wales, Dr. Barry Morgan, has welcomed a ‘cogent' new book by 22 leading theologians that argues for gay people's inclusion within Anglican ministry. "Gays and the Future of Anglicanism" challenges the moratorium on gay consecrations and same-sex blessings of the Anglican Communion and "throws down a formidable challenge to the Anglican Communion. It cannot afford to ignore it," Morgan commented. One of the people serving on the Lambeth Commission on Communion which recommended the moratorium in its Windsor Report, Morgan made it clear that the issue is far from settled. "The arguments advanced for including gay people [in the church] deserve to be read and pondered by all who are involved in the debate about human sexuality," he said. Inmate Priest Is Tangible Sign of Hope for Those in Prison September 29, 2005 – The congregation is small. There are about 42 communicants, and between 15 and 20 show up on any given Sunday night for Eucharist. "In that respect, it's very much like any other parish in the Episcopal Church," says the Rev. James Tramel, who ministers to the congregation. The congregation is different in one major way. All of the communicants and Tramel are in prison at the California State Prison, Solano. Tramel, 37, who has served 19 years of a 15-year-to-life sentence for second-degree murder, was ordained a priest by Bishop William Swing of California on June 18, 2005 at the prison. He is the first person ordained to the Episcopal priesthood while incarcerated. Law Enforcement Leader Fights Crime with Faith, Preparation September 28, 2005 – In a crime-fighting age darkened by terrorism and cultural rage, Connie Patrick is a tough-minded optimist who oversees the nation's largest law enforcement training program with her faith in God and humanity intact. A veteran of almost three decades in law enforcement, she says Americans must face today's criminal, terrorist and biological threats with prayer, preparation and courage. The worst thing people can do, she says, is live in fear. "Fear and faith are opposites," says Patrick, a United Methodist who says her faith has prepared her for her task as director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, headquartered near Brunswick, Ga. Lutheran Pastors, Congregations Benefit from Renewal Program September 28, 2005, CHICAGO – She may look like just another tourist, or it may seem like a family on vacation, but there's something more meaningful and more spiritual going on here. A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its pastor are participating in the National Clergy Renewal Program of the Lilly Endowment, Inc. The Lilly Endowment announced Sept. 20 that this year 23 ELCA congregations were among 124 congregations that received grants of up to $45,000 each for the support of renewal programs for their pastors. Up to $15,000 of each grant may be used for congregational expenses associated with a sabbatical. Since 2000 the Endowment has invested more than $23 million in the National Clergy Renewal Program for 755 congregations and their pastors. Agency Acts Cautiously on Christian Churches Together September 27, 2005, SEATTLE – In the wake of concerns expressed by the historically black Methodist denominations, United Methodists continue to take a cautious approach regarding involvement in a new ecumenical organization. Differing viewpoints about the organization, called Christian Churches Together, were expressed at a panel discussion during the Sept. 22-25 annual meeting of the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. While the United Methodist Church has opted for provisional membership in Christian Churches Together, the African Methodist Episcopal Church and African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church have decided not to join at this point. The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is requesting observer status. NCC Has Concerns about Orthodox Withdrawal, Bishop Says September 29, 2005, NEW YORK – The president of the National Council of Churches has reassured United Methodists that the ecumenical organization is concerned about its Orthodox members. Bishop Thomas Hoyt was responding to a letter from the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, which expressed sadness about the recent withdrawal of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America from the council. The letter also implored NCC leadership "to take immediate steps to understand this action and reach out to leadership" in the archdiocese. Primate Clarifies Recent Church Actions in Press Briefing September 30, 2005, NIGERIA – The Most Rev. Peter Peter Akinola, primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), delivered a statement to the press September 29 clarifying recent actions of the church's General Synod which amended its constitution, deleting any references to the "See of Canterbury." "We treasure our place within the worldwide family of the Anglican Communion but we are distressed by the unilateral actions of those provinces that are clearly determined to redefine what our common faith was once," Akinola said. "We have chosen not to be yoked to them as we prefer to exercise our freedom to remain faithful. We continue to pray, however, that there will be a genuine demonstration of repentance." The statement continued: "We are Anglicans and have done nothing or ever think of doing anything capable of breaking up the Communion. A Country of Striking Contrasts to Host the 9th WCC Assembly By Rosina Duarte The excitement and brilliance of the carnival, the grace and skill of soccer, the exotic tropical beaches and the uproar of political scandals: these are some superficial snapshots of Brazil, a country rich in natural resources and creativity but battered by poverty. What is the country that will host the World Council of Churches' 9th Assembly next February really like? Marked by its contrasts, Brazil is the largest Latin American nation and the fifth largest land mass in the world. Its 8.54 million square kilometres (slightly more than twice the size of the expanded European Union) are inhabited by 170 million people (approximately a third of the EU's population). Its gorgeous Atlantic Ocean beaches are world famous. Memo to Teachers: How to Stay out of Trouble For educators, the fall curriculum is a minefield of potential church-state conflicts: Should the kindergarten teacher talk about Halloween, even though evangelical Christians may object to this pagan holiday? Should the kids study the religious beliefs of the Pilgrims before Thanksgiving? Can the December concert include Christmas carols? Hanukkah music? A chant from Ramadan? Kwanza songs? It may not be obvious to you why I am writing a column on this topic, but pastors, local clergy associations, and ecumenical organizations regularly get dragged into one ruckus or another that has to do with religion and public schools. Las Iglesias Deben Criticar La Fe Idolátrica En El Mercado, Afirma Jung Mo Sung 27 septiembre 2005, SAO PAULO, Brasil – En un mundo donde los intereses privados de los más fuertes están siendo defendidos por todos los medios, las iglesias deben buscar la dimensión profética y expresar su solidaridad con los más débiles, los pobres, los excluidos de la sociedad, dijo el teólogo católico Jung Mo Sung, profesor de la Universidad Metodista de Sao Paulo (UMESP). "El primer paso que deben dar es criticar la fe idolátrica en el mercado, visto como providencial y absoluto," sostuvo Jung Mo Sung. Mo Sung fue uno de los oradores en el Congreso Internacional sobre Presencia Pública de las Iglesias en las Áreas Urbanas, realizado en la Semana de Estudios Teológicos de la Facultad de Teología de la UMESP, del 12 al 16 de septiembre. Obispos Metodistas Se Pronuncian a Favor De La Prohibición De Venta De Armas De Fuego 29 septiembre 2005, SAO PAULO, Brasil – El Colegio Episcopal de la Iglesia Metodista de Brasil se pronunció a favor de la prohibición de la venta de armas de fuego y municiones en el país, tema que será decidido en referendo popular el próximo 23 de octubre. Los obispos dijeron que la herencia metodista instruye que toda la energía debe ser canalizada a favor de la vida, como enseñó Jesúcristo. La participación democrática del pueblo, manifestando en las urnas si el comercio de armas de fuego debe ser prohibido en Brasil, es un gran esfuerzo para la creación de una cultura de paz, de dialogo y de solidaridad, sostienen los obispos. Circula Nuevo Periódico Evangélico 28 septiembre 2005, SAO PAULO, Brasil – El mercado editorial evangélico se expande en Brasil con la aparición de Debate Cristiano, un nuevo periódico interdenominacional dedicado a divulgar actividades misioneras y culturales El periódico que circula mensualmente con 15 mil ejemplares, cuenta con una redacción virtual: un periodista en Río de Janeiro y tres en São Paulo, todos free-lance. La Editora Lio que publica el periódico, también está "construyendo" su sitio en Internet para colocar el contenido del periódico a disposición de sus lectores, que incluirá lanzamientos editoriales y producciones de casas musicales evangélicas, así como informaciones sobre televisión y cine. Obispo Inicia Huelga De Hambre Contra Proyecto De Desviación Del Río São Francisco 28 septiembre 2005, RECIFE, Brasil – El obispo católico Luis Flávio Cappio, de Barra, Bahía, inició el lunes una huelga de hambre contra el proyecto de desviación del río São Francisco y a favor de la preservación de sus aguas. Cappio se encuentra en una capilla situada en la orilla del río, en Cabrobó, a 586 kilómetros de Recife, Pernambuco, región en la que el gobierno pretende construir uno de los puntos de desviación del cauce. "Permaneceré en huelga hasta la muerte, en caso no se revoque la decisión de desviar el cauce del río," declaró el obispo, conocido en la región de Barra como Frei Luiz. La huelga, afirma, solo será levantada mediante un documento suscrito por el presidente de la República, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, revocando y archivando el proyecto. Tribunales De Nuremberg Deben Continuar Investigando Crímenes De Dictadura Militar Argentina 27 septiembre 2005, NUREMBERG, Alemania – La defensora de los derechos humanos Nora Morales de Cortiñas, de "Madres de Plaza de Mayo-Línea Fundadora," demandó a las autoridades judiciales de Nuremberg continuar con las investigaciones de los crímenes de la dictadura militar argentina que suspendieron desde hace más de un año. Morales sostuvo que el Tribunal y la Fiscalía de Nuremberg quieren cerrar definitivamente las investigaciones contra los responsables del asesinato y la desaparición de cerca de cien ciudadanos alemanes o descendientes de alemanes en Argentina ocurridos durante la dictadura militar entre los años 1976 y 1983. Un País De Agudos Contrastes Recibirá a La IX Asamblea Del CMI 29 septiembre 2005 – El fulgor del carnaval, la gracia y la garra del fútbol, el exotismo de las playas tropicales y el alboroto de los escándalos políticos: éstas son algunas de las postales superficiales del Brasil, un país rico en recursos naturales y creatividad, pero asolado por la pobreza. ¿Cómo es en realidad el país que en febrero próximo recibirá la novena Asamblea del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias? Marcado por contrastes y dimensiones continentales, el Brasil es la mayor de las naciones latinoamericanas y la quinta del mundo en territorio. Sus 8,54 millones de kilómetros cuadrados (un poco más de dos veces el tamaño de la Unión Europea ampliada) están habitados por 170 millones de personas (aproximadamente un tercio de la población de la UE). Red Ecuménica Presenta Libro "Un Grito De Dios:¡Verdad, Justicia Y Reparación!" 30 septiembre 2005, BOGOTÁ, Colombia –"Dios no ha perdido el control de la historia, está presente en medio del conflicto, se sigue revelando hoy, por lo que podemos afirmar que la maldad no tiene la ultima palabra," afirmó la biblista Alicia Winters, durante le presentación del libro "Un Grito de Dios: ¡Verdad, Justicia y Reparación!" de la Red Ecuménica de Colombia. La estudiosa sostuvo que la obra es un importante punto de partida que estimula a pensar y compartir las nuevas ideas con la comunidad. Al acto celebrado en esta ciudad el 22 de septiembre, asistieron miembros de iglesias locales, organizaciones sociales y defensores de los derechos humanos. El Teólogo Rebelde Hans Kueng Dijo Que El Encuentro Con Benedicto XVI Es Un Signo Esperanzador 27 septiembre 2005, ROMA, Italia – El teólogo católico disidente Hans Kueng dijo que su reunión con el papa Benedicto XVI en la residencia de Castegandolfo es un signo esperanzador. "Espero que mi reunión con el Papa sea un signo de que los grandes problemas que enfrentan la Iglesia y sus fieles sean discutidos abiertamente," afirmó Kueng, después que el diario italiano La Repubblica informó sobre la reunión que ambos líderes sostuvieron el sábado último. En 1979 El Vaticano suspendió a Kueng su licencia para enseñar teología católica por sus críticas a la infalibilidad papal y el nacimiento virginal de Jesús. Los esfuerzos de Kueng para reunirse con el antecesor de Benedicto, el papa Juan Pablo II, fueron infructuosos. Periodista Evangélico Dice Que Casos De Intolerancia Religiosa No Son Afrontados Por El Gobierno 29 septiembre 2005, MÉXICO – Algunos hechos de intolerancia religiosa contra evangélicos que se registran en el país, no son afrontados por las autoridades gubernamentales, sostuvo el periodista evangélico Carlos Martínez. En un artículo publicado en el diario La Jornada, el miércoles, Martínez afirma que las autoridades se han limitado a lanzar arengas morales "que dejan todo a la conciencia de los agresores" y acusó directamente al secretario (ministro) de Desarrollo Humano, Rafael Ríos Martínez. Citó el caso de 70 familias de indígenas huicholes y evangélicas de la comunidad Agua Fría, al norte de Jalisco, que se vieron obligadas a desplazarse al estado vecino de Nayarit, por el hostigamiento de la mayoría católica y la incomprensión y apatía de las autoridades estatales y federales. October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month September 30, 2005 – While Congress passed a resolution this week in recognition and support of October as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month," it left uncertain legislation renewing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which is set to expire September 30, according to the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations in Washington, D.C. The House on September 28, by a 415-to-4 margin, approved bipartisan Justice Department legislation that reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act. The legislation, H.R. 3402, was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI), who is also an Episcopalian. The U.S. Senate was expected to take up the legislation Friday, but as of press time, debate had not occurred. Nearly one in four women experiences at least one physical assault by an intimate partner during her adult life. Episcopal Institute Upgrades to University of Technology September 30, 2005, TAIWAN – St. John's University, formerly St. John's and St. Mary's Institute of Technology, located in Tamsui, Taiwan, celebrated an upgrade from Institute of Technology to University of Technology with ceremonies on August 1. More than 200 dignitaries, faculty, alumni, and government officials were in attendance for the day's activities. Bishop David J.H. Lai of Taiwan addressed the gathering during a morning service, which was followed by a ceremony that included presentations from representatives of the Taiwan government and the unveiling of the University's new sign. Statement by Archbishop Robin Eames of All Ireland on IRA Decommissioning September 30, 2005, IRELAND – Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Robin Eames welcomed the destruction of IRA weapons in a September 26 statement, calling it a "major step towards and peaceful and just society." The full text of Eames' statement follows: "Any destruction of terrorist weapons must be warmly welcomed. For Irish Republicanism today's announcement represents a massive step. For all of us it can become a major step towards a peaceful and just society if it heralds the end of all criminality and violence in future. Ultimately, all paramilitary weapons must be placed beyond use. ERD Assists Displaced People in Northeastern Congo September 30, 2005, CONGO – Episcopal Relief and Development is providing emergency assistance to people forced out of their homes after conflict in and around the northeast town of Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rebel groups from the country as well as neighboring Rwanda and Uganda have descended on Boga and Tchabi, forcing people to flee and abandon all their possessions and belongings. Thousands of people are now displaced and have fled to other towns in the province such as Buleyi, Eringeti, and Bunia. Violence has recently increased due to ongoing political, military, and ethnic tension in the northeast province of North-Kivu. "People who have been displaced left everything and have nothing at all," said the Most Rev. Dr. Dirokpa Balufuga Fidele, Archbishop of Congo and Bishop of Kinshasa and Bukavu. African Leader Calls on Canadians to Help Combat Corruption by Marites N. Sison September 30, 2005, CANADA – Bishop Mvume Dandala, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), has urged Canadians to join African churches in condemning the role of developed nations in perpetuating corruption in Africa and the rest of the developing world. "The matter of corruption is a matter that requires all churches to act together because there are two aspects of corruption," Dandala, who visited Toronto in September, said in an interview with the Anglican Journal. "First, it is challenging our own people to actually confront this problem head on. There's another problem and that is the fact that even the international world has developed values of wanting to deal corruptly when it cuts deals with people from the developing world." Anglican Church Inaugurates New Diocese, Consecrates Two Bishops September 30, 2005, BURUNDI – The weekend of November 5-6, 2005, is set to be memorable and historic for the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi as two newly-elected bishops are consecrated, and the new diocese of Muyinga is inaugurated. Plans to divide the diocese of Gitega and create a sixth diocese, with its center in the town of Muyinga, have been under discussion for several years. The diocese will serve the parishes in the predominantly-rural north-eastern areas of Cankuzo and Muyinga that stretch to the border with Tanzania. Many of those seeking repatriation will pass through the diocese of Muyinga. The Rev. Eraste Bigirimana, diocesan secretary for the diocese of Gitega, has been elected by the House of Bishops to be the Bishop of the new diocese. Seven World Ecumenical Leaders Offer to Meet with Kofi Annan September 27, 2005, NEW YORK – The staff heads of seven international ecumenical councils have sent a letter of "pastoral concern" to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, proposing a meeting and commenting on the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals and other challenges facing the world body. The ecumenical general secretaries expressed their "empathy for the people of the United States who are suffering so much" as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and commented on other issues, including the war in Iraq, "the dire and devastating situation" in Darfur and the U.N.'s own organizational reform efforts. September 30, 2005, SOUTH ASIA – Immediately following the tsunami, our clergy and congregations of the Diocese of Colombo (DOC) provided relief and care to people throughout the country and amongst all communities. Our response was to provide food, water, clothing, medicine and tents, and to organize multi-ethnic, multi-faith youth groups to join local youth groups in the affected areas in cleanup operations. Rehabilitation work commenced in February and the numbers of active projects continue to grow. U.S. Jewish, Christian Leaders to Work for Middle East Peace September 29, 2005, JERUSALEM – A group of Christian and Jewish leaders from the United States has pledged to work together for Middle East peace, despite disagreements over issues such as Israel's West Bank barrier and divestment. The 16 Jewish and Christian leaders made the Sept. 18-23 visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories to calm tension created by disagreements over recent decisions by a number of mainstream Protestant groups in the United States. Two United Methodists were part of that delegation: Vidette Bullock Mixon, director of corporate relations for the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits, and Jim Winkler, chief executive, United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Anglican Lay Leaders Missing, Feared Dead September 30, 2005, IRAQ – The entire lay leadership of St. George's Anglican Church in Baghdad, Iraq, is missing and feared dead after being attacked on a dangerous road west of Baghdad while returning from a trip to Jordan. The five Iraqis were last heard from on September 13. "The most difficult thing is not knowing for sure what has happened," Canon Andrew White, rector of St. George's, told Episcopal News Service. "We have no news of them and fear the worst," the Most Rev. Clive Handford, president bishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, reportedly told BBC News. St. George's Church has flourished in recent months with regular Sunday worship attendance at 800.
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