May 19, 2006

CHICAGO (ELCA) – Noting there is "cautious, hopeful news" about the Darfur region in western Sudan, where a peace process has been initiated with the signing of an agreement, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), called on the church to learn about and discuss the humanitarian crisis there and, most of all, pray for the people of Darfur.

Hanson made the comments in a May 19 message to the ELCA, "Statement on Darfur Peace Process."

The Sudanese government and the largest rebel faction in Darfur – the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement – recently signed a peace agreement that started a peace process that could end a three-year conflict there. Between 200,000 to 400,000 people have died in Darfur, and more then 2.5 million people have been displaced. In addition rapes, looting, burning of homes and other atrocities have been committed against primarily ethnic Africans living in Darfur, he said.

"The peace agreement has started a tenuous peace process that could end a tragic situation that President Bush and others have described as ‘genocide,'" Hanson said. "Similar to the genocide in Rwanda, the world has waited too long to respond in outrage and has allowed a poorly funded humanitarian response to take the place of political will and action."

Hanson credited the U.S. government, the African Union and the international community for facilitating the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement. He called on the U.S. Congress to approve more than $400 million for humanitarian and peacekeeping aid to Sudan in the 2006 fiscal year. The U.N. demanded "strict observance" of the peace agreement and called for a rapid transition to a stronger UN peacekeeping force from the current African Union force, Hanson said in the message.

"I hope that these measures for peace, and the many follow- up steps that are needed, may finally bring an end to the human suffering in this part of Africa," he said.

Presiding bishop calls for church understanding, action and prayer

While the world may "rejoice" in the hope that the Darfur peace agreement signifies, "we must remain diligent in learning more about the conflict and advocating for real security and lasting peace. The situation in Sudan is politically and historically complex," Hanson wrote.

"These complexities can overwhelm and paralyze us, so that we do nothing. We must not let this happen. Christ died and was raised so that we might be free. Free to help our neighbor. Free to share God's love with all creation. Free to love one another. As children of this loving God, we are called to relieve human suffering and work together for a just and lasting peace. Together we can and do make a difference in Darfur and all of Sudan," he said.

Hanson pointed out that the ELCA, Lutheran World Federation, Lutheran World Relief, Action by Churches Together and other relief agencies supported through ELCA International Disaster Response are providing needed supplies and relief in Sudan, and that the people of the ELCA are consistent advocates for justice for all people, including the people of Darfur.

ELCA congregations and campuses can become communities of moral deliberation on Darfur, the presiding bishop wrote, and he suggested a number of ways members can become engaged:

• By learning about the conflict in Darfur and discussing it in congregations

• By hosting forums or holding candlelight vigils to raise awareness

• By learning how Lutherans are responding to the crisis

• By contacting elected representatives and urging them to continue providing appropriate aid and assistance

• By urging President Bush and elected representatives to monitor the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement, and urging the Sudanese government to facilitate the timely and safe return of all internally displaced people

Hanson also asked that Lutherans consider financial gifts for the Darfur situation to ELCA International Disaster Response to support the church's response.

"As presiding bishop I am thankful to be part of a church that is making a difference in Darfur," Hanson's wrote. "At the same time I remain profoundly concerned about the people who continue to suffer. Together we must pray for the people of Darfur, for peace for all who live in this troubled region, and for those working to alleviate the human suffering."

The text of Bishop Hanson's statement, including links to resources, is at http://www.ELCA.org/bishop/m_darfur.html on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA News Service