Front Page

Faith-based Groups Plan to Make an Impact at 16th International AIDS Conference

August 8, 2006 – Dr Peter Piot, Bishop Mark Hanson, Canon Gideon Byamugisha, Rev. Rick Warren and his wife Kay, and Erik Sawyer are among speakers at ecumenical and interfaith pre-conferences taking place on the eve of the world's largest HIV/AIDS conference. Accountability is the recurring theme as an estimated 20.000 participants – policy-makers, researchers, health care providers, activists and people living with HIV – prepare for the 16th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2006), "Time to Deliver," 13-18 August, in Toronto, Canada.

NCC Member Church Fined for Cuba Ministry

August 10, 2006, WASHINGTON – A National Council of Churches member communion has been fined $34,000 by a U.S. government agency for allegedly engaging in tourist activities during recent mission visits to churches in Cuba. But Stan Hastey, executive director of the Alliance of Baptists, said the Treasury Department misinterpreted some mission activities as tourism – in one case because the religious work took place in a beach town near Havana. And Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, associate general secretary of the NCC for International Affairs and Peace, quickly expressed support for the Alliance. "American and Cuban churches have cooperated for years, in both ministry and in getting aid to Cubans who desperately need it. U.S. Churches have a constitutionally guaranteed right to carry out ministry and help the poor no matter where they are. The fine goes against this principle."

Ecumenical Delegation to Middle East Will Express Solidarity,
Listen to and Pray with Those Afflicted by the Conflict

August 9, 2006 – Entrusted with the mission of expressing global ecumenical solidarity with churches and people affected by the current conflict in the Middle East, a three-member ecumenical pastoral delegation composed of representatives of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the Catholic Bishops' Conference of France, and the World Council of Churches (WCC) today left Cyprus by boat en route for Beirut. The members of the delegation are CEC President Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, the [Roman Catholic] Archbishop of Tours (France) Mgr. Bernard Aubertin, and WCC programme executive on racism, Ms Marilia Alves-Schüller.

World Church Leaders Appeal for End to Violence in the Middle East

August 8, 2006, GENEVA – Leaders of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) have issued a joint appeal today calling upon Israel and Hezbollah "to end the fighting in Lebanon" and for the United States, European Union, and Arab States "to exercise their influence toward this end." The appeal signed by LWF President Bishop Mark S. Hanson, WARC President Rev. Dr Clifton Kirkpatrick and WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, also states that while the terms for a lasting peace "cannot be reached in a brief time frame *" a cease-fire is an "imperative first step to end the violence."

General News

Filipinos See God's Help in Acquiring Visas for U.S. Visit

August 8, 2006, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – William Tolentino and Mighty Rasing waited six years for a chance to deliver a meditation to young people in the United States. Tolentino and Rasing are the first representatives from the Philippines to successfully get visas to travel to the United States and participate in one of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship's Division on Ministries with Young People meetings. "God has put us here," declared Tolentino, joyously. "When I got the invitation, I almost panicked."

Union of Black Episcopalians Strengthens Relationships
Richmond Hosts 38th Annual Meeting

August 9, 2006 – Renewed relationships were in focus August 4 as more than 300 black Episcopalians, gathered in Richmond, Virginia, concluded the five-day, 38th annual meeting and conference of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE). Under the theme "Practising Our Faith: Strengthening our Relationships with God and Each Other," participants are reaffirming their Afro-Anglican connections, conducting business, receiving training, and sharing information. "We come together once every year to re-identify with ourselves," the Rev. Nelson W. Pinder, national president of UBE said. "It is a chance to get in touch with our African descent and verify that we are truly members of the Anglican Communion who work and live in the Episcopal Church."

Ecumenical News

Investiture Media Credentialing to Open August 15

August 10, 2006 – Media representatives wishing to cover the November 4 Investiture of the 26th Presiding Bishop – and her November 5 official seating – in Washington National Cathedral, are invited to apply online for credentials from the Episcopal News Service. The rites will mark the official opening of the ministry of Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as the Episcopal Church's 26th Presiding Bishop. Jefferts Schori was elected to this office June 18 by the General Convention. A full report about the Investiture is online. Applications may be filed beginning August 15, 2006, and application forms are also online.

First Meeting of New WCC Central Committee to Explore Changes,
New Challenges since 1966 Church and Society Conference

August 7, 2006 – An exploration of changes in church and society since 1966 will be a central feature of the forthcoming meeting of the World Council of Churches' (WCC) central committee – the WCC's main governing body between assemblies. During the 30 August-6 September meeting, a public event on 4 September and a consultation on 5-6 September on the theme "Acting together for transformation" will commemorate the 40th anniversary of a landmark 1966 WCC World Conference on Church and Society. Scheduled to speak at the public event are former WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, Geneva 1966 participant Dr Antonios Papantoniou and Dr Puleng Lenka Bula. Among those slated to speak during the two-day consultation are Prof. Mercy Oduyoye, Dr Lukas Vischer, Dr Pamela Brubaker, Dr Peter Pavlovic, Dr Ninan Koshy, Dr Andrea Fröchtling and Dr Nancy Cardoso.

Spanish News

Iglesia Católica No Aceptaría Una Intervención Extranjera Declaró Cardenal Ortega

7 agosto 2006, LA HABANA, Cuba – La Iglesia Católica de Cuba no apoyaría jamás ni aceptaría ninguna intervención extranjera, declaró el cardenal Jaime Ortega Alamino, arzobispo de La Habana, el domingo, en diálogo con la prensa. El cardenal Ortega rehusó comentar la situación cubana, seis días después de que el presidente Castro se viera obligado a ceder temporalmente todos los poderes a su hermano Raúl y a otros dirigentes del Partido Comunista, aquejado por complicaciones gastrointestinales. Ortega leyó en la catedral de La Habana el mensaje de los obispos católicos donde se destaca que el delicado estado de salud que aqueja al presidente Fidel Castro constituye un momento especialmente significativo para el pueblo" y exhortó a orar "para que Dios acompañe en su enfermedad al presidente."

Anglicanos Aprueban Moción Sobre Sexualidad Y Envían Carta a Los Metodistas

9 agosto 2006, CURITIBA, Brasil – Episcopales anglicanos aprobaron una moción de apoyo y solidaridad a los clérigos y laicos que sufrieron persecución e insultos debido a su orientación sexual, y enviaron una carta a la Iglesia Metodista, expresando la esperanza de que ella retorne pronto a la fraternidad ecuménica. Las mociones y la carta a la Iglesia Metodista fueron debatidas por el 30avo Sínodo General de la Iglesia Episcopal Anglicana de Brasil (IEAB), reunido en Curitiba, del 26 al 30 de julio, pero sólo fueron divulgadas ayer (martes 8).

Beatas Auxiliaron a Jesuitas En La Misión Y Educación

11 agosto 2006, SÃO LEOPOLDO, Brasil – Aunque no mantuvieron vínculo institucional con los jesuitas, orden religiosa conocida por su trabajo misionero y educacional, las "beatas de la compañía" desempeñaron un papel decisivo, en los siglos XVII y XVIII, en la atención espiritual a mujeres en varias ciudades del Cono Sur. Hay registros de la presencia de las beatas en ciudades como Córdoba, Santiago del Estero, La Rioja, Santa Fe y Buenos Aires, en Argentina; y Asunción, en Paraguay.

Iglesias Reformadas Preguntan Hasta Cuándo Continuará La Violencia En Medio Oriente

9 agosto 2006, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina –"¿Hasta cuándo Señor, hasta cuándo?" clamaron las Iglesias Reformadas en Argentina, que se preguntaron si no tendrá fin la destrucción de tantas vidas en la crisis del Medio Oriente, y por qué Israel, que sufrió exterminio y muerte, aplica ahora ese castigo a otras personas. El dramático pronunciamiento de las Iglesias Reformadas, que suscriben los pastores Gerardo Oberman y Roberto Jordan, presidente y secretario respectivamente, fue lanzado el lunes destacando el dolor que está causando la guerra no declarada del Estado de Israel con la guerrilla de Hezbolá, cuyas consecuencias padece en carne propia la población del Líbano.

Grupos De Inspiración Religiosa Planean Incidir En La XVI Conferencia Internacional Sobre El SIDA

8 agosto 2006 – Las preconferencias ecuménica e interreligiosa contarán entre otros con la participación de los siguientes oradores: Peter Piot, obispo Mark Hanson, canónigo Gideon Byamugisha, pastor Rick Warren y su esposa Kay Warren, y Erik Sawyer. La responsabilidad se ha convertido en tema recurrente cuando más de 20 mil participantes -representantes gubernamentales, investigadores, profesionales de la salud, activistas y personas que viven con VIH- se preparan para la XVI Conferencia Internacional sobre el SIDA (AIDS 2006, en inglés), que se celebrará del 13 al 18 de agosto en Toronto, Canadá, y cuyo lema es "Tiempo de cumplir."

CLAI Condena Bombardeos Contra Líbano Por Ser "Agresión Cruenta Y "Desmesurada"

11 agosto 2006, QUITO, Ecuador – El Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (CLAI) condenó los bombardeos indiscriminados al Líbano por parte del gobierno de Israel, calificándolos de "agresión" y "acto cruento y desmesurado," contra niños, ancianos y población civil. "La falta de decisión de la comunidad internacional para alcanzar un cese al fuego, habla de la complicidad que permite la destrucción de un pueblo, para favorecer a una de las partes envueltas en el conflicto," dice el CLAI en una carta enviada el jueves a Kofi Annan, secretario general de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU).

Delegación Ecuménica En Oriente Medio Se Solidarizará, Escuchará Y Orará Con Los Afligidos Por El Conflicto

10 agosto 2006 – Con la misión de expresar la solidaridad ecuménica mundial con las iglesias y con el pueblo afectados por el actual conflicto en Oriente Medio, una delegación pastoral ecuménica de tres miembros compuesta por representantes de la Conferencia de las Iglesias Europeas (CIE), la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Francia y el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) salió hoy de Chipre por barco hacia Beirut. Los miembros de la delegación son el Presidente de la CIE Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, el Arzobispo [católico romano] de Tours (Francia) Mons. Bernard Aubertin, y la responsable del programa del CMI sobre el racismo Sra Marilia Alves-Schüller.

En Su Primera Reunión, El Nuevo Comité Central Del CMI Examinará Los Cambios
Y Nuevos Desafíos Desde La Conferencia De 1966 Sobre Iglesia Y Sociedad

7 agosto 2006 – Un estudio de los cambios en la iglesia y la sociedad desde 1966 será un elemento central de la próxima reunión del comité central del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) que tendrá lugar del 30 de agosto al 6 de septiembre. Durante la reunión del que es el máximo órgano de gobierno del Consejo entre asamblea, un acto público (el 4 de septiembre) y una consulta sobre el tema "acción conjunta para la transformación" (5 y 6 de septiembre) conmemorarán el 40º aniversario de la histórica Conferencia Mundial sobre Iglesia y Sociedad celebrada en 1966. En el acto público se prevé la participación del ex secretario general del CMI pastor Dr. Konrad Raiser, del Dr. Antonios Papantoniou (quien participó en la conferencia de 1966), y de la Dra. Puleng Lenka Bula.

National News

New Orleans Residents Race Against Housing Deadline

August 9, 2006, NEW ORLEANS – Aug. 29 might be the first anniversary of the worst hurricane to hit this city and the Gulf Coast, but it is also D-Day for owners of flood-damaged homes to stop the city from possibly declaring eminent domain on their damaged property. By that date, owners of those homes must clean, gut and board up their buildings under a controversial measure called the "Good Neighbor Plan." The city has said the ordinance is aimed at defining what constitutes a public nuisance and educating property owners about their options and assistance available to them. The Lower Ninth Ward – once home to about 20,000 of New Orleans' citizens, mostly African American – sustained the brunt of the water damage.

International News

Archbishop of Canterbury to Visit China

August 9, 2006 – The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams is to visit China this autumn. The visit is at the invitation of the senior leadership of the post-denominational Protestant Churches in China. It will take in five cities, including the capital, Beijing. Dr Williams' visit will take place from 8-23rd October, starting in Shanghai before continuing inland. It is intended to provide a deeper understanding of the Church in China and the varied context in which it is developing. The wide-ranging programme will include opportunities to engage with religious leaders, academics, government officials, NGOs and business leaders on the contemporary challenges facing both Church and society. It will build on the visits of previous Archbishops of Canterbury in 1983 and 1994.

Gunmen Kill United Methodist Local Pastor in Philippines

August 8, 2006 – A United Methodist in the Philippines who had served as a local pastor was shot dead by gunmen outside his home. According to a story in the Aug. 6 edition of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Isaias Sta. Rosa was found dead in Malabago, Daraga, Albay, on Aug. 3. He was near a creek, alongside another dead man with gunshot wounds who was identified as an army corporal, according to the newspaper. Police said that soldier was believed to be one of about 10 masked gunmen who forced their way into the pastor's home, and neighbors of Sta. Rosa speculated that the corporal might have been killed by mistake and his body left with the pastor's to make it appear that the slaying was the work of a rebel group, according to the Manila Bulletin Online.

United Methodists Evangelize in Lithuania with Ads, Brochures

August 11, 2006, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Television audiences in Lithuania saw a welcoming message from the United Methodist Church this summer, thanks to a grant from the denomination's communications agency. The spots were aired for eight days, during the July 20-30 period, as part of the church's Igniting Ministry welcoming campaign, themed "Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors." The Lithuanian-language commercials, each lasting a half-minute, marked a new expansion of the advertising campaign into languages other than English. Commercials also have been produced for Spanish- and Korean-language audiences in the United States.

Middle East News

ELCA Presiding Bishop Asks U.S. Religious Leaders to Call for Mideast Peace

August 11, 2006, CHICAGO (ELCA) – Out of concern for growing casualties and human suffering in the Middle East, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has asked other U.S. religious leaders to join him in calling for "the cessation of all violence, for an international peacekeeping force and a negotiated agreement for a just peace." Hanson made the plea in an open letter he sent this week to several Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders in the United States. It was the second public statement from Hanson this week on the Middle East situation. Acknowledging that each leader may interpret the words in his open letter differently, Hanson appealed to what the religious leaders have in common.

People in the News

WFN and NCC Lose Church Communication Pioneer

August 10, 2006, NEW YORK CITY – Michael de Beer was not too young to be a pioneer in digital church communication. He was too young to die. At age 33 Michael passed away from an apparent heart attack last week. His funeral is tomorrow at the Episcopal Church of Our Redeemer, Lexington, Mass., where his mother, the Rev. Tricia de Beer, is rector. In his early twenties Michael helped design Worldwide Faith News, part of the communications ministry of the National Council of Churches USA. He continued his work with WFN [www.wfn.org] as technical consultant making regular improvements in one of the most visited religious sites on the worldwide Web. Religious groups from around the globe post news releases in several languages on the site.

Salvadoran Lutheran Synod Praised for Prophetic Witness
LWF Congratulates Bishop Medardo Gomez on 20th Anniversary of Episcopal Ministry

August 8, 2006, GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) pays tribute to the Salvadoran Lutheran Synod (SLS) and its leader Bishop Medardo E. Gomez, for outstanding prophetic witness and commitment in El Salvador, especially in the face of persecution and violence. In a letter to Gomez on the occasion of his 20th anniversary as bishop, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko recalls the difficult and complex situation of "a harsh war and a voracious spiral of violence," when the former took over responsibility as the first SLS bishop in 1986. In the letter dated 4 August, Noko said Gomez and the church "embodied a ministry through which the whole people could see the signs of God's faithfulness" to creation.

Reviews

Rethinking Jesus in Light of the Contemporary Scientific Worldview

August 10, 2006, MINNEAPOLIS – The lively interest today in the historical figure of Jesus is rarely matched by theological advances in understanding his person and significance for our own time and worldview. Gordon Kaufman takes up this challenge in a bold, speculative work entitled Jesus and Creativity. Despite the fabled difficulties of traditional Christological terms, few theologians since Tillich and Teilhard have sought to re-envision the symbol of Christ within the contemporary scientific worldview. Building on his notion of God as creativity itself, Kaufman here locates the meaning of Jesus' salvific story within an evolving and threatened universe. Outside the dualistic categories of the biblical worldview, he finds, the enormously creative and influential figure of the historic Christ can have a vital role in the emergence and development of the cosmos and human history.

Why the Lazarus Story Meant So Much to Early Christians

August 10, 2006, MINNEAPOLIS – The story of Lazarus in John 11-12 typically has been understood by scholars as a prototype of the resurrection of Christ. In the newly-released Lazarus, Mary and Martha: Social-Scientific Approaches to the Gospel of John, Philip F. Esler and Ronald Piper examine the raising of Lazarus, the relationship between him and his two sisters Mary and Martha, and the theological implications of a social-scientific critique of this relationship and the Lazarus story in general. Using social identity theory, Esler and Piper set out what social identity theory actually means, how it works, and how it applies to John's Gospel.