Front Page

American Baptist Church Leaders and Head of United Church of Christ
Speak out on Ministry of Rev. Jeremiah Wright

March 24, 2008, VALLEY FORGE, PA – In a letter to American Baptists and the wider religious community,National Ministries' Executive Director, Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III calls for consideration of the life-long ministry of the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. and his foundational contribution to the prophetic tradition of the black church in America. Wright-Riggins' letter follows below in its entirety and introduces statements made by three other prominent American Baptist pastors and authors. Also included is an analysis by the Rev. John H. Thomas, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ.

U.S. State Efforts Advance to Abolish Death Penalty

March 28, 2008 – In 1985, Kirk Bloodsworth was convicted of rape and murder and sent to Maryland's death row. In 1993, DNA testing proved he was innocent. He joined the 127 people in the United States who have been released from death rows after being found innocent of the capital crime for which they were convicted. "Because innocent persons are sentenced to death and because there is documented racial and geographical bias, everyone should question the death penalty," said Beth Reilly, a United Methodist working to abolish capital punishment in Maryland.

WCC Criticizes Islamophobic Film, Calls for Mutual Respect

March 28, 2008 – The movie Fitna, recently released online by Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders was criticized as "a clear case of Islamophobia" by Rev. Dr Shanta Premawardhana, director of the World Council of Churches' (WCC) Programme on Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation. "Through graphic images the filmmaker depicts violent extremism without any attempt to distinguish it from mainstream Islam. Extremism is a problem for most religions and needs to be countered through interreligious dialogue," Premawardhana said. Dutch church representatives have also voiced their criticism of the right-wing politician turned filmmaker, stressing that his views were opposed by most of the Dutch population, the ecumenical news-agency ENI reported today.

General News

President George W. Bush Welcomes Archbishop Demetrios and the Greek American Community
to the White House to Celebrate the 187th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day

March 26, 2008, WASHINGTON, DC – President George W. Bush welcomed Archbishop Demetrios of America and members of the Greek American community to the White House on March 25 on the occasion of the celebration of the 187th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. (Proclamation text attached.) Government officials and Greek Americans from throughout the United States attended the ceremony in the East Room of the White House. In his opening remarks, Archbishop Demetrios in noting that this was the eighth consecutive year that President Bush has invited him to the White House for the celebration of the Anniversary of Greek Independence Day said:" Please accept, Mr. President, our deep appreciation and thankfulness for personally handing over to us, the Greek American community, your noble declaration honoring the Great Hellenic Revolution of March 25, 1821.”

San Joaquin Episcopalians Place Their Future in Context of Healing
Presiding Officers Answer Questions on Implications of Diocesan Dispute

March 29, 2008, STOCKTON, California – The reorganization of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin officially began on the evening of March 28 in a church partially illuminated by the Paschal Candle. Officiant Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies, began the service at the Episcopal Church of St. Anne in Stockton, California, with the Easter acclamation: "Alleluia, Christ is risen." After the Prayer for Light and the rest of the candles were lit, she and the congregation recited the three Easter Lucernaria, or anthems. The service was based The Book of Common Prayer's Order of Worship for the Evening.

Ecumenical News

Christians and Muslims must Enhance Common Ground
and Acknowledge Differences, Says WCC

March 26, 2008 – Love for one's neighbour is "an essential and integral part of faith in God and love of God" for both Islam and Christianity. How Christians and Muslims can engage in reflections of this love together is the central theme of a commentary issued by the World Council of Churches (WCC) on Thursday, 20 March. Compiled by Christian experts in Christian-Muslim relations, it addresses the churches and offers suggestions on responding to the widely noticed letter "A Common Word" by 138 Muslim leaders in October 2007. The commentary entitled "Learning to explore love together" is part of on-going consultations in which the WCC has engaged its member churches and ecumenical partners since November 2007. It invites them "to explore together with Muslim fellows the love of God and the love of neighbour in their respective contexts."

Editorial Page

Politics and Ecumenism

March 28, 2008 – THE GOLDEN RULE of Ecumenism has brought vastly different Christian traditions together for conversation and action, and the rule should be applied to American politics. The rule: "Try to understand others even as you hope to be understood by them." That simple axiom is a radical critique of an age in which ideological lines are hardening and real dialogue diminishing in the public arena. Church folks, like most Americans, have strong political views, many of them based on the biblical mandate to bring peace, feed the poor, uphold the downtrodden and speak God's truth and justice in all things. We argue all the time about the best ways to fulfill that mandate. But ecumenically-minded Christians start with the assumption that Christians with different ideas are just as committed to Christ as they are.

Commentary: Death Penalty Law Recaptures Spirit of ‘56

March 28, 2008 – "You have women clergy in The United Methodist Church?" The question was posed to me several years ago by Sister Dorothy Briggs, a new friend in the movement to abolish the death penalty. Acknowledging that she knew very little about the Protestant church, she was delighted to learn that most Protestant churches ordain women. She was especially pleased to learn that The United Methodist Church has female bishops. I went on to tell her about the spirit of ‘56.

Spanish News

Cárcel Por Acoso Sexual Y Duros Castigos Al Maltrato Propone Un Proyecto De Ley

27 marzo 2008, BOGOTÁ, Colombia – La norma que aún debe pasar dos debates en el Congreso nacional, plantea que cuando una mujer sea objeto dentro de su núcleo familiar de amenaza, agravio, daño físico, psíquico o en su integridad sexual, podrá acudir ante un comisario de familia o un juez para una medida de protección inmediata. La iniciativa busca erradicar del país cualquier tipo de violencia de género, y busca no sólo proteger a las mujeres que tienen un vínculo formal con el victimario, sino también a las mujeres que etapa de noviazgo.

Pastor Evangélico Reemplazará En La Curul a Senador Condenado Por La Parapolítica

28 marzo 2008, BOGOTÁ, Colombia – En 48 horas deberá asumir como Senador de la República Jorge Enrique Gómez Montealegre quien preside la iglesia Centro Misionero Bethesda, una de las más grandes del país, determinó el Consejo de Estado. La decisión del Consejo de Estado se tomó después de que Gómez interpusiera una acción de tutela debido a que, según él, le estaba siendo violado el derecho fundamental a la participación en política; Gómez continuaba en la lista del partido Colombia Viva.

Los Cristianos Y Los Musulmanes Deben Fortalecer Su Fundamento Común Y Reconocer Sus Diferencias, Dice El CMI

28 marzo 2008 – El amor al prójimo es "parte esencial e integrante de la fe en Dios y del amor a Dios," tanto para el Islam como para el Cristianismo. La forma en que los cristianos y musulmanes pueden empeñarse juntos en la reflexión sobre este amor es el tema central de un comentario publicado por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) el jueves, 20 de marzo. Compilado por expertos cristianos en relaciones entre cristianos y musulmanes, está dirigido a las iglesias y ofrece sugerencias sobre la respuesta a la ampliamente conocida carta "Una palabra común" escrita por 138 dirigentes musulmanes en octubre de 2007.

Las Iglesias Reformadas Llaman Al Diálogo, Recordando "Que La Tierra Es Del Señor"

26 marzo 2008, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – En medio de la tirante situación entre el Gobierno nacional y los sectores agropecuarios que continúan con las medidas de fuerza, las Iglesias Reformadas en Argentina (IRA) emitieron una carta pastoral donde recuerdan que la tierra y lo que ella produce son bendiciones de Dios, cuya finalidad última es sostener la vida. "La vida de quien la trabaja con sacrificio y esfuerzo. Y la vida de quien espera y necesita sus frutos.

Instancias Religiosas Llaman Al Diálogo Y a La Cordura

27 marzo 2008, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Mientras transcurre el día 15 del paro agropecuario que lleva al país a cortes de rutas, suspenso de servicios de transporte y un creciente desabastecimiento de productos primarios, distintas instancias religiosas dieron a conocer su parecer y llamaron al diálogo. La Confraternidad Argentina Judeo Cristiana, exhortó, en una nota emitida ayer, a las partes involucradas y a la sociedad toda, a dejar de lado las apetencias personales y pensar en "nuestra bendita Nación, que nos está reclamando sensatez, cordura, equilibrio, justicia y un diálogo profundo y sincero."

Creen Que Los Evangélicos Constituyen El 30 % De La Población Panameña

25 marzo 2008, PANAMÁ – El presidente de la Alianza Evangélica de Panamá, Rolando Hernández, calcula que la población evangélica en el país representa hoy el 30% de la población total, frente al 10% que se reportó en la última Encuesta de Hogares realizada en 1998. Esto quiere decir que unas 900 mil personas podrían ser hoy parte de alguna de las iglesias evangélicas.

Religiones Por La Paz Conmemora Martirio De Monseñor Romero

28 marzo 2008, SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – El Movimiento de Religiones por la Paz- El Salvador se sumó este jueves a la conmemoración del XXVIII aniversario del martirio de Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero. El movimiento multi religioso reflexionó sobre "qué inspira Monseñor Romero." "Monseñor Romero era un hombre tímido, de pocas palabras pero cuando hablaba de Dios, de la relación con Dios y denunciaba las injusticias y violaciones a los derechos humanos era una fuente de inspiración," dijo el Obispo Luterano Medardo Gómez quien habló por las religiones cristianas.

Las Cartas Vivas Del CMI Ahora Llegan a Sudán

25 marzo 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – Un equipo ecuménico internacional de representantes de iglesias realizará una visita de solidaridad a iglesias y organizaciones ecuménicas del Sudán, del 26 de marzo al 2 de abril. El quipo dirigido por el secretario general del CMI, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, se dividirá en cuatro grupos para visitar Darfur, Khartoum, Rumbek y Yambio, antes de reunirse con dirigentes de iglesias, mujeres y jóvenes sudaneses en una conferencia de tres días en Juba.

Los Cristianos Y Musulmanes Deben Fortalecer Su Fundamento Común, Dice El CMI

28 marzo 2008, SUIZA – El amor al prójimo es "parte esencial e integrante de la fe en Dios y del amor a Dios," tanto para el Islam como para el Cristianismo. La forma en que los cristianos y musulmanes pueden empeñarse juntos en la reflexión sobre este amor es el tema central de un comentario publicado por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) el jueves, 20 de marzo.

Difunden Polémico Filme Contra El Islam

28 marzo 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – Un polémico cortometraje anti islámico producido por el político y parlamentario holandés Geert Wilders, comenzó a ser difundido este 27 de marzo vía Internet (una versión en inglés puede verse en www.liveleak.com. La difusión comenzó a las 7:00 p.m. y en apenas dos horas 1.6 millones de internautas habían visto la versión holandesa. Más de 1.2 millones de personas vieron la versión en inglés antes de la medianoche de este jueves. El film, de poco más de 16 minutos de duración y titulado Fitna (que significa "caos" o "enfrentamiento" en árabe), intercala versos del Corán llamando a la violencia contra los infieles con atroces escenas de los actos terroristas en Nueva York, Londres y Madrid.

Sudán: Visita De Solidaridad Ecuménica

25 marzo 2008 – Un equipo ecuménico internacional de representantes de iglesias realizará una visita de solidaridad a iglesias y organizaciones ecuménicas del Sudán, del 26 de marzo al 2 de abril. El quipo dirigido por el secretario general del CMI, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, se dividirá en cuatro grupos para visitar Darfur, Khartoum, Rumbek y Yambio, antes de reunirse con dirigentes de iglesias, mujeres y jóvenes sudaneses en una conferencia de tres días en Juba.

Religious Liberty News

Court Closes United Methodist Church in Russia

March 28, 2008 – United Methodists are investigating a court liquidation of a church in Smolensk, Russia. Forum 18 News Service reported that Smolensk Regional Court dissolved the United Methodist congregation there on March 24 in response to a suit filed by the regional public prosecutor's office. The church already had been under government scrutiny because of a complaint from Smolensk's auxiliary Orthodox bishop. United Methodist Bishop Hans Vaxby, based in Moscow, told United Methodist News Service in a March 27 e-mail that the denomination is working with a lawyer to follow up on the court's action, including an appeal.

New York Metro News

Court Rules for Diocese, Wider Church in Property Case

March 26, 2008 – The Supreme Court of Queens County, New York, recently ruled that the property of St. James' Episcopal Church, Elmhurst, is held in trust for the Diocese of Long Island and the Episcopal Church. The majority of the members of St. James, Elmhurst voted in March 2005 to leave the Episcopal Church and join the Anglican Church in America. Those members formed what is now known as St. James Anglican Church, which is listed on the Anglican Church in America's website. The departing members then sued the diocese and the Episcopal Church, asking for a ruling that neither entity had an interest in the parish property.

National News

United Methodists Begin Midwest Flood Response

March 24, 2008 – Many residents in Arkansas are experiencing a "nightmare" as they deal with a series of weather-related systems affecting parts of the U.S. Midwest, according to Maxine Allen. Families affected by the Feb. 5 tornadoes suffered an ice storm two weeks later and in March were dealing with devastating flooding along a nearly identical track. "People are in a fragile mental state, wondering, ‘Why me?'" said Allen, the disaster response and missions coordinator for the United Methodist Arkansas Annual (regional) Conference.

International News

Sudanese Churches Face "Tremendous Tasks and Challenges"

March 28, 2008 – Amid ongoing fighting and humanitarian crises in several regions of Sudan, and risks of failure in implementing the 2005 peace agreement that ended two decades of civil war between north and south, the Sudanese people and churches face "tremendous tasks and challenges," an international ecumenical team of church representatives was told at the beginning of an eight-day solidarity visit to the country. Representatives of the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) met the delegation led by the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in Khartoum on Wednesday 26 March.

Baptist Pastor Released from Prison

March 28, 2008, VALLEY FORGE, PA – Zaur Balaev, the Baptist pastor from Azerbaijan who was sentenced to two years in prison on August 8 of last year, has been released. Balaev was freed from prison on March 19. "We praise God for preserving Pastor Balaev through the months of his harsh treatment in prison and for his release from the prison colony on March 19," said Reid Trulson, executive director of International Ministries. "We continue to pray for Baptists and for all people who face harassment and oppression because of their faith and conscience."

Middle East News

Easter Day in Jerusalem Brings New Life as Presiding Bishop Concludes Holy Land Visit in Galilee

March 23, 2008, JERUSALEM – On Easter Day at St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, local Christians and pilgrims of many nationalities shared in the joyful Eucharistic celebration of Jesus' resurrection following the Paschal mystery of his suffering and death. Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem Suheil Dawani, who had invited the Presiding Bishop to spend Holy Week in his diocese, preached in Arabic and English about the need "to live our lives more fully and minister more faithfully." Dawani said that Easter reveals a world in which God has the last word "in rolling away all that stands before us" and offers "a new vista of hope for justice, equity and peace."

People in the News

Lindner Leaves National Council of Churches after Three Decades of Ecumenical Service

March 28, 2008, NEW YORK – The Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, widely known as editor of the Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches and as a tireless leader and chronicler of the ecumenical movement, has announced her departure from the National Council of Churches USA on May 15. Lindner, former Deputy General Secretary of the Council for Research and Planning, has served as Director of Organizational Development since a reorganization of the NCC on January 1.