 |
 |
 |
 |
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
|
Anglican Communion Primates Respond of House of Bishops November 22, 2007, LAMBETH PLACE – The Archbishop of Canterbury has written to Anglican Communion Primates and members of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) with a summary of their individual responses to the outcome of September House of Bishops meeting of the Episcopal Church (USA). He made it clear that he was not at this stage advancing his own interpretation of these responses. November 22, 2007 – In face of what he called "escalating human rights violations," the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia announced stronger ecumenical advocacy efforts to bring the Philippines under international scrutiny. Speaking at a press conference in Manila on Wednesday 21, at the culmination of a four-day visit to the country, the WCC general secretary reaffirmed the Council's "unequivocal condemnation" of extra-judicial killings, including those of church workers and pastors, and its "grave concern" about the increasing militarization of the Philippines. Slain Filipino Pastor's Family Awaits Justice November 19, 2007, MANILA, Philippines – Jonathan Sta. Rosa was sitting quietly at home when masked gunmen stormed into his house demanding information about his brother, the Rev. Isaias Sta. Rosa. The gunmen ordered him to take them to his brother's house and knock on the door. "They pointed their guns at us and ordered us to lie on the floor," Jonathan recalled with a shaky voice. "They tied (Isaias) up and beat him and then dragged him out of the house. We heard gunshots and we ran outside and called for help from our neighbors." United Methodists Take Food Stamp Challenge November 21, 2007 – For one week in November, the Rev. Sonnye Dixon lived on mostly hotdogs – not hotdogs of particularly high quality, either – in an effort to understand what it's like to live on $21 a week. The pastor of Hobson United Methodist Church, Dixon participated in the Food Stamp Challenge, living on the average weekly food stamp allotment provided by the U.S. government. To draw attention to hunger issues, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs recently invited civic and spiritual leaders across the United States to participate. The exercise first started in the summer of 2006 in Pennsylvania when the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger asked local residents to take the challenge. Church World Service Urging Citizen Action on Peru Free Trade Agreement November 19, 2007, WASHINGTON – As a result of the Nov. 8 House of Representatives passage of a trade agreement that would harm resource-poor Peruvians, humanitarian agency Church World Service is urging people to Contact their Senators and ask them to oppose the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement (Peru FTA). The call to action was made via a CWS Speak Out alert. "As a global development agency, Church World Service is concerned that recent free trade agreements undermine rather than promote broad-based development and poverty alleviation," says to the Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO. In a statement "lamenting" the Nov. 8 passage of the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement by the U.S. House of Representative, the humanitarian agency affirmed the poverty-fighting potential of international trade but said agreements must be judged by whether they truly promote development in developing countries.
November 22, 2007 – I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart… I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9: 1-2) To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I greet you in the love of Jesus Christ on the joyous occasion of our national celebration of Thanksgiving. November 23, 2007, GENEVA – In his 2007 Christmas message, the president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Bishop Mark S. Hanson emphasizes Christ's meeting with humanity where people struggle for justice, mercy and peace. "Christ meets us where the creation groans in travail under the weight of our consumptive living. Christ meets us where the Word is read, the gospel proclaimed, and the sacraments shared," says the LWF president in the message addressed to members of the global Lutheran communion. Hanson is presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Pastors Explore Role of Media in Evangelism November 19, 2007 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A group of Christian Reformed Church pastors and communications specialists met recently at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., to discuss fresh, media-savvy ways of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. At the meeting, organized by The Back to God Hour (BTGH), pastors and others from across North America spent two days sharing media strategies and creative church-building techniques. Pastors spoke about preaching on culturally relevant topics, such as how Christianity is portrayed in the music of the heavy metal rock band Metallica. November 19, 2007 WITTENBERG/HANOVER, Germany/GENEVA – The symbolic groundbreaking of a "Luther Garden" on 31 October 2008 in Wittenberg, Germany, will mark a major preparatory step toward the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017. Announcing the initiative on 16 November at the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Geneva (Switzerland) secretariat, Wittenberg [City of Martin Luther] Mayor Eckard Naumann said the city saw itself as the venue of a vital process, and a meeting and communication place that is open to the global community in view of the Reformation jubilee. New Resource Examines Cultural Diversity in Ordination Process November 20, 2007 – A new resource that examines cultural diversity in the Episcopal Church's ordination process has been produced by the Office for Ministry Development, in conjunction with the Episcopal Church Foundation, the Pastoral Leadership Search Effort and the Office of Ethnic Congregational Development. "Meeting on New Ground: A Resource on Cultural Diversity in the Ordination Process," is a DVD and study guide composed of several years of research and extensive conversations with a diversity of clergy and laity involved in the Church's process of discernment, recruitment and ordination. November 17, 2007 – The 25th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth November 17 gave the first of two approvals needed to amend its constitution and remove accession to the Constitution and Canons of General Convention, as well as several canonical amendments that eliminate mention of the Episcopal Church. Speaking in a news conference following the convention's conclusion, Fort Worth Bishop Jack Iker said the decisions "marked a firm resolve about moving forward together, recognizing that there are parts that are not fully behind the path we've chosen, but the debate is always characterized by respect and honesty." Korean Reunification Needs Churches' Partnership, Grieves Tells TOPIK Peace Conference November 19, 2007, SEOUL – Working in partnership for reunification of Korea "would be a significant witness of Christ's reconciling love for all humanity" the Rev. Canon Brian Grieves, director of Peace and Justice Ministries, told the international Anglican conference, Towards Peace in Korea (TOPIK), during a November 19 panel discussion in Seoul. In his opening remarks, Grieves underscored the "chance for our churches – especially in Korea, Japan, China and the United States – to work in partnership for such a goal." Statement of Joint Catholic-Orthodox Commission November 15, 2007, RAVENNA, Italy – Here is the final document of the plenary assembly of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, held Oct. 8-14 in Ravenna. The statement, which was released today, is titled "Ecclesiological and Canonical Consequences of the Sacramental Nature of the Church: Ecclesial Communion, Conciliarity and Authority." La Codicia, El Exceso De Producción Y El Consumo Excesivo Son Pecado, 20 noviembre 2007 – El hecho de que "la riqueza se creó y se mantiene a base de la extracción y saqueo continuos de los recursos de África, así como gracias a la explotación de la población africana" fue el severo recordatorio que dirigieron a los cristianos del Norte del mundo los participantes en la consulta ecuménica sobre la vinculación entre pobreza, riqueza y ecología ("Linking poverty, wealth and ecology") celebrada la semana pasada. Campaña De Activismo Contra La Violencia De Género 22 noviembre 2007, BUENOS AIRES – Del 25 de noviembre, Día de la No Violencia contra la Mujer, al 10 de diciembre, Día de los Derechos Humanos, se realizará nuevamente la Campaña de los 16 Días de Activismo contra de Violencia de Género. Desde que se realiza ha logrado visibilizar la violencia de género y sus efectos sobre las mujeres a nivel global. Cada año, miles de activistas de todas partes del mundo utilizan la campaña para avanzar su trabajo y terminar con la violencia contra las mujeres. 23 noviembre 2007, GUATEMALA – Con una celebración ecuménica de acción de gracias el Concejo Ecuménico Cristiano de Guatemala conmemoró los 25 años de ordenación episcopal de su presidente, el prelado de la Iglesia Episcopal de Guatemala obispo Armando Guerra Soria y los 10 años en el obispado católico de Monseñor Rodolfo Valenzuela Núñez, Vicepresidente de este espacio ecuménico y presidente de la Comisión de Ecumenismo de la Conferencia Episcopal de Guatemala. Comité Interconfesional Lanza Programa Bíblico De Televisión 19 noviembre 2007, LIMA, Perú – Un esfuerzo sin precedentes es el que viene desarrollando en el Perú el "Equipo Interconfesional de Pastoral Bíblica"; a la exitosa Expobiblia 2007, la publicación de Guías de estudio Bíblico y los talleres de capacitación, se une el reto de lanzar ahora un programa bíblico por televisión. El programa se titula "La Biblia para todos" y se transmitirá los días viernes a las 9 de la noche en el canal 19. Lawyer Calls Philippine Killings an ‘Attack on Liberty' November 20, 2007, MANILA, Philippines – Victims of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines include more than 30 lawyers and judges whose deaths amount to an "attack on liberty," says one attorney fighting for justice in his homeland. Those casualties from the law profession are just a small part of a larger evil in which peasants, farmers, church workers, doctors and other human rights advocates are being killed, said Edre Olalia, international officer for the Counsels for the Defense of Liberties. Filipino Christians Testify on the Mistreatment of Brothers, Sons and Husbands November 19, 2007 – Berlin Guerrero, a pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, was driving his family back home after an evening worship service when the car was stopped by gunmen. The pastor was taken at gunpoint and dragged into a van. His hands were hogtied. A plastic bag pulled over his head nearly suffocated Guerrero and made him pass out twice, so the abductors beat him to wake him up. Guerrero was abducted and tortured to force him to admit membership in the clandestine Communist Party of the Philippines. Scouts Hike to Churches to Learn about the Ten Commandments November 23, 2007, QUEENS, New York – Nearly 100 scouts, their leaders and parents, spent the day hiking for different churches in the South Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park communities of Queens today. They were on the eighth annual Ten Commandments Hike sponsored by the Queens Federation of Churches and its Committee on Scouting and Youth Ministry. The participants represented more than a dozen different scout troops and packs in Queens. Churches of different denominations and nationalities each opened their doors on this day after Thanksgiving while their clergy spent time telling the scouts about one of the Commandments which form the basis of the world moral code. CRWRC Distributes Emergency Aid to Cyclone Survivors November 19, 2007 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In the wake of devastating Cyclone Sidr, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is distributing immediate emergency food aid in southwest Bangladesh, with plans for two additional phases of response. The powerful storm raked across the river delta coastal area of the country Thursday night, packing winds of more than 150 mph, killing thousands and displacing nearly a million from their homes. While the Bangladeshi people endure an annual storm cycle each year, Cyclone Sidr is thought to be the most severe event in the last decade according to government officials there, with agency reports stating that 10,000 people may have died. ELCA Responds to Disasters on Three Continents November 20, 2007, CHICAGO – Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), through its International Disaster Response, provided $173,500 to support recovery efforts in Indonesia, Nicaragua and Zimbabwe. Seen as the "breadbasket" of Southern Africa for years, Zimbabwe's economy is facing hyperinflation, said Dr. Belletech Deressa, director for international development and disaster response, ELCA Global Mission. "The cost of basic commodities such as foodstuff has gone far beyond the reach of the average Zimbabwean," she said. "The biggest challenge facing the country is food shortages." African Bishops Examine Chinese Investments in Africa November 21, 2007, LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – How are African people being affected by Chinese investments in African nations in exchange for mineral and mining rights? The question was explored by a coalition of African and U.S. church leaders seeking to strengthen United Methodist ministries in Africa. The Holistic Strategy on Africa task force met Nov. 3-4 in North Carolina prior to the worldwide United Methodist Council of Bishops meeting. Bishop Fama Onema, a retired bishop from the Democratic Republic of Congo, reported on China's $5 billion loan to his country under an agreement signed in September. ELCA Sends Initial Grant to Assist Bangladesh Cyclone Recovery November 21, 2007, CHICAGO – Cyclone Sidr left more than 3,000 people dead and millions homeless after it struck the coast of Bangladesh in Southern Asia on Nov. 15. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), through its International Disaster Response, is sending an initial $50,000 to assist disaster response organizations that have mobilized to provide emergency food, medical support and temporary shelter. The cyclone triggered a 15-foot water surge that inundated the coastal towns of Patuakhali, Barguna and Jhalakathi, with a combined population of 700,000. Filipino Doctor Takes Courageous Stand to Help Victims November 20, 2007, MANILA, Philippines – Dr. Reggie Pamuges knows he could be killed or arrested for going into prisons, refugee camps and morgues to examine victims of human rights violations. He goes anyway. "I am afraid of being targeted," Pamuges admits. "Someday I won't return home because I've been assassinated or abducted." Priest Urges Christians to Speak out Against Killings November 21, 2007, MANILA, Philippines – Christians should be able to look past doctrine and see their common humanity, said a church leader working ecumenically to stop human rights violations in the Philippines. "I keep on telling my members in my church that my intention is not to make you very good Episcopalians; I would like you to become very good Christians first," said the Rev. Rex Reyes, an Episcopal priest and member of the National Council on Churches in the Philippines. Reyes was on the writing team that documented killings of more than 800 civilians and the "disappearances" of another 200 in a 2007 report to members of the U.S. Congress and the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. ELCA Documentary on Uganda, Forgiveness to Air on NBC Television November 21, 2007, CHICAGO – NBC affiliate television stations will begin broadcasting "Uganda: Ready to Forgive" on Dec. 2. The 60-minute documentary about the faith and spirit of the Acholi people of Northern Uganda is a production of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Through 20 years of war, death, rape, torture and child abduction, rebels known as the Lord's Resistance Army forced 2 million people into internally displaced person camps. Yet, the Acholi people are united in a belief that the only real solution is reconciliation and forgiveness. Special Committee Meets to Discuss Greek Fire Relief Fund November 20, 2007, NEW YORK – Having established that the immediate needs of those affected by the fires in Greece were being met by the civil authorities and other agencies, the Special Committee overseeing the Greek Fire Relief Fund of the Holy Archdiocese recently met to discuss the Fund and how it can make the greatest impact in the lives of those affected by the catastrophic fires of this past summer in Greece. Following extensive discussion, the Committee agreed to focus their energies on developing specific long range programs of assistance since the effects of the destruction will be felt for many years to come. November 19, 2007 – Seeing its work as a model for areas "where conflict persists," the international Anglican conference Towards Peace in Korea (TOPIK) concluded its seven-day meeting with a call for action for peace and reconciliation in Korea. "Constructive dialogue is the first step in the process of reconciliation," noted the communique, released on November 20. Responding to a resolution from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) and hosted by the Anglican Church of Korea, TOPIK drew more than 100 Koreans and nearly 50 international Anglicans from 17 nations. |
