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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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April 22, 2007, WASHINGTON, DC – In a moving evening service of prayer, the Revd Canon Howard Anderson, Warden of the Washington Episcopal Cathedral College, led a reflection in which he spoke of a "litany of horror" and of this "mindless tragedy." His remarks were made as hundreds of people gathered in the Cathedral for a memorial for those killed on 16th April in Virginia. A procession of 32 people from all walks of life filed behind a shining cross and candles through the Washington National Cathedral nave, all carrying a lighted candle, to mark the names of the those killed during the shooting at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia (USA). Archbishop of Canterbury – Moral Vision Should Be at the Heart of Politics April 24, 2007 – In his lecture this evening in Hull, birthplace of William Wilberforce, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will urge politicians to rediscover the moral energy and vision which inspired Wilberforce; defend the right of the citizen to call the state to account for its actions; and ask whether we still believe in the notion of "a moral state." If we do, he says, we cannot leave the state to decide for itself what is moral: "the modern state needs a robust independent tradition of moral perception with which to engage. Left to itself it cannot generate the self-critical energy that brings about change...for the sake of some positive human ideal." Immigration: Exploring Jesus' ‘Outrageous' Hospitality April 26, 2007, LOS ANGELES – "I am not a burden. I am a useful person." These are the words of Estela Diaz, an immigrant from Mexico who lives and works in Los Angeles with her husband and children. She dreams of an education for her children and to make a living for her family. Her personal testimony was shared as church and community leaders explored "Immigration and the Outrageous Hospitality of Jesus" at an April 21 conference designed to put a face on the issue of immigrant rights. Kobia, in Wales, Calls Migration the "Human Side" of Globalization April 25, 2007 – Global migration poses new challenges for churches worldwide, the WCC general secretary told the churches of Wales at the start of a trip to the UK and Ireland. The phenomenon is the "human side" of globalization – especially for churches, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia said in remarks to staff of Cytûn (Churches Together in Wales) and its Commission for Racial Equality on April 25 in Cardiff. "Welcoming the stranger is not optional for Christians. Nor is it conditional," Kobia stated. "Christ didn't call for Christians to welcome those strangers whose papers are in order or who speak our language." He urged churches to increase their capacity to practise hospitality in an era of new migrants and "new forms of migration." "Unavoidably, the situation of migrants puts the question to each of us: Who is my neighbour?" he said. It challenges churches and Christians to share "the common life in Christ" in new ways. ELCA Council Commends Report on Justice for Women April 23, 2007, CHICAGO – The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) recommended that the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly commend the content of a report on justice for women for study, reflection and response throughout the church. The ELCA's "Plan for Mission" places the responsibility and accountability for gender justice throughout the whole churchwide organization, and "we are together working hard to accomplish living out this important commitment," Mary Streufert, director for justice for women, ELCA Church in Society, reported to the council. Florida Faith Leaders Join in Fight Against Malaria April 25, 2007, MIAMI – Leaders of about two dozen churches in the Miami area learned on Africa Malaria Day how $10 can help save the life of a child in Africa. Nearly 70 United Methodist pastors attended a Faith Leaders' Breakfast on April 25 to find out more about the Nothing But Nets campaign, a partnership involving the people of The United Methodist Church, the United Nations Foundation, Sports Illustrated, the National Basketball Association's NBA Cares, Major League Soccer's MLS W.O.R.K.S. and other groups. Lutherans Called to Be Peacemakers April 27-29 April 23, 2007, CHICAGO – In response to violence, war and conflict in the United States and around the world, about 50 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will explore their call to be peacemakers at "Equipping for Peacemaking," an April 27-29 training event here hosted by the ELCA. "The recent shootings at Virginia Tech are a grim reminder of the need for more training and skills in peacemaking," said Glen Gersmehl, Seattle, lead trainer for the event and director of Lutheran Peace Fellowship. April 27, 2007 – On the threshold of the 100th anniversary celebration of the 1910 Edinburgh World Mission Conference, widely regarded as the symbolic starting point of the modern ecumenical movement, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia offered a sober analysis of the past century's achievements and failures, and called for an "ecumenically responsible evangelism." Speaking today in Edinburgh, Scotland, at a meeting to prepare the 100th anniversary celebration of the landmark event, Kobia affirmed: "We need a new Edinburgh and can only hope that the celebration we foresee for 2010 will be a step in that direction." Grupo Católico También Condena Impunidad En Caso De Posada Carriles 26 abril 2007, LA HABANA, Cuba – El grupo de Reflexión y Solidaridad "Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero," integrado por católicos cubanos, se acaba de sumar a la condena que realizaran, en días recientes, varios organismos ecuménicos de la Isla ante la impunidad con que se maneja el caso del terrorista de origen cubano, Luis Posada Carriles, por parte de la autoridades del gobierno de Washington. Este grupo de reflexión, con una larga trayectoria como alternativa de pensamiento fuera de las esferas oficiales de la Iglesia Católica en Cuba, hizo pública su adhesión mediante un breve documento dado a conocer el pasado 21 de abril. Obispos Metodistas Cuestionan "Ley De La Homofobia" 23 abril 2007, SAN PABLO, Brasil – Predicar y enseñar en público y en lo privado contra la práctica homosexual como un pecado y desobediencia a las enseñanzas de Dios es un derecho inalienable de la iglesia, defiende el Colegio Episcopal de la Iglesia Metodista del Brasil, que cuestiona la llamada "ley de la homofobia." El proyecto de ley 5.003, de 2001, en análisis en el Parlamento brasileño, criminaliza toda y cualquier manifestación contra la opción sexual de las personas. Para los obispos metodistas, reunidos en San Pablo los días 11 y 12 de abril, "tal ley ahora en discusión retomaría los principios de la censura de conciencia y opinión típicas del fascismo y de las dictaduras que tantos males causaron a la humanidad." Los Evangélicos Y La Política En La Mirada De ACIERA 25 abril 2007, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – "Estamos en un año electoral y, tal como ha ocurrido en los últimos años, escuchamos del ofrecimiento de candidaturas o espacios que los partidos políticos hacen a líderes evangélicos, o de candidatos que buscan el apoyo de "los evangélicos." También vemos cómo algunos pastores procuran sumar adhesiones a ciertos candidatos o partidos, ya sea porque les han prometido "beneficios" para los evangélicos o alguna cuota de poder. Foro Interreligioso: Hacia Una Nueva Cultura Ambiental 26 abril 2007, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – El Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (CLAI) para el Programa de Ciudadanía Ambiental Global del Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente (PNUMA) organiza el Foro interreligioso "Hacia una nueva cultura ambiental." En la Parroquia Nuestra Señora Del Valle de la ciudad de Buenos Aires, el martes 1 de mayo a partir de las 9,30 de la mañana, se desarrollarán las actividades que incluyen dos paneles y talleres por la tarde. El Vaticano En Pleno Ingresó En El Debate Mexicano Sobre El Aborto 24 abril 2007, MÉXICO – Según informa la agencia de noticias vaticana Zenit, la Iglesia Católica en México, en la persona de su cardenal Norberto Rivera, ha agradecido a Benedicto XVI su apoyo en defensa de la vida ante la legislación capitalina que pretende despenalizar el aborto. Monseñor Marcelino Hernández, obispo auxiliar, leyó en la última misa dominical la carta del primado, donde el mismo constata que Benedicto XVI "muestra su paternal preocupación por un proyecto de ley de inminente aprobación, que es una gravísima amenaza a la vida inocente e indefensa de los niños que están por nacer." Kobia Visitará La Compleja Realidad De Las Iglesias Miembros Del Reino Unido E Irlanda 23 abril 2007 – El amplio programa de la próxima visita del Dr. Samuel Kobia (del 24 de abril al 4 de mayo) al Reino Unido e Irlanda permitirá al secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) tener nuevas percepciones de la vida y el trabajo que llevan a cabo actualmente las iglesias miembros del Consejo de Iglesias de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda. Su viaje, que lo llevará de Inglaterra al País de Gales, y a continuación a Escocia e Irlanda y nuevamente a Inglaterra (ver itinerario que se detalla más adelante), lo pondrá en contacto con dirigentes y responsables de las iglesias que actúan en ámbitos tan diversos como las relaciones interreligiosas, el trabajo con refugiados y solicitantes de asilo, las iniciativas por la justicia racial y la formación teológica ecuménica. Healthy Child Campaign Seeks Coverage for All Children April 24, 2007, STAMFORD, Conn. – Every child in the United States, regardless of immigration status or family income, should have access to comprehensive health and mental health care, according to The United Methodist Church's women's organization. To help achieve that goal, the Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is joining the "Healthy Child Campaign: Covering All Children in 2007," sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund. In her address during the division's April 20-23 spring meeting, UMW chief executive Lois Dauway said 9 million U.S. children are without health insurance, even though nearly 90 percent of those children live in households with working parents. ELCA, LWR Join Other Faith Groups in Advocacy on the Farm Bill April 25, 2007, WASHINGTON – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, are joining more than a dozen other denominations and faith-based organizations in supporting broad reforms of the U.S. Farm Bill in 2007, aimed at reducing hunger and poverty while promoting the livelihood of farmers and rural communities both in the U.S. and around the world. The U.S. Farm Bill, legislation that determines agriculture, nutrition and conservation policy, is to be reauthorized every five years. Cuban Methodists Thrive but Feel Effects of U.S. Embargo April 27, 2007, STAMFORD, Conn. – The Methodist Church in Cuba is thriving more than it ever has since Fidel Castro took power in 1959. But actions by the U.S. government have had a negative impact on mission work and ministry between Cuban church members and their American counterparts, according to leaders of Cuba's Methodists. That's why Bishop Ricardo Pereira Díaz of Cuba and staff of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries asked board directors for assistance during the April 23-26 spring meeting in Stamford. End Fighting in Sri Lanka, Reach Political Solution, WCC Urges Parties to Conflict April 23, 2007 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) has strongly appealed to the government of Sri Lanka and the rebel organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) "to return to the obligations" of a February 2002 cease fire agreement that both have violated, and to "seek durable solutions to end the fighting that is affecting the lives of so many people." In an "expression of concern" issued last Friday, the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia said he was "deeply distressed by the current intensification of fighting" that is causing the "deaths of innocent civilians, military personnel and rebel cadres daily, while the number of abductions, conscription of children, and displacement of people is on the increase." United Methodists Join Global Children's Campaign April 27, 2007, WASHINGTON – Actress Angelina Jolie and other advocates for orphans and vulnerable children have announced a campaign by Global Action for Children to increase U.S. government funding by $2.5 billion per year to provide free primary school education in developing countries. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is a founding member of Global Action for Children. The announcement came during an April 26 news conference held as part of Global Education Awareness Week. The New Primate of Jerusalem and the Middle East Announced April 25, 2007 – These striking words were said by the new President Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East The Most Revd Mouneer Hanna Anis at his recent investiture in All Saints Cathedral, Cairo. The service was full of colour, sound and drama which emphasised the diversity of musical and liturgical traditions that exist in this Province. The service, conducted in Arabic and English, opened with the entry procession lead by diocesan and other clergy, together with the Canons of the Cathedral and the Assistant Bishop of the diocese, Derek Eaton, followed by Bishops of the Province and Archbishops from around the Communion. The procession finished with the entry of the retiring President Bishop The Most Revd Clive Handford, Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf. New Devotional Captures the Funny Shape of Faith April 27, 2007, MINNEAPOLIS – The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us uses humor to explore the Bible, faith, and Christian living by combining cartoons based on biblical texts with reflections and prayers for any day of the year. Featuring the drawings of John Bush, The Funny Shape of Faith includes 158 devotions, each funny and faithful in their own particular way, and arranged in sixteen categories. Fortress Press Releases Matthew 1-7 in Hermeneia Series April 23, 2007, MINNEAPOLIS – The birth narrative, the baptism and temptation of Jesus, the beginnings of his Galilean ministry, and the Sermon on the Mount are all brilliantly illumined by Ulrich Luz's expert textual and historical-critical analysis and theological commentary. Luz brings special attention to the subsequent history of Christian appropriation of Matthew in homiletical and artistic interpretation, and addresses the terrible legacy of Christian anti-Judaism. This volume completes Luz's three-volume commentary on the Gospel of Matthew in the Hermeneia series. A translation of the earlier German edition of Matthew 1-7 appeared in Fortress Press's Continental Commentary series.
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