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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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Bahá'í International Community Rejects Iranian Allegations on Recent Arrests May 21, 2008, NEW YORK – Allegations by Iran that six Bahá'ís were arrested last week "for security reasons and not for their faith" are utterly baseless and without documentation, said the Bahá'í International Community today. "All of the allegations issued in a statement on Tuesday by the Iranian government are utterly baseless," said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, referring to statements made in a press conference given yesterday in Tehran by Iranian government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham, at which he acknowledged the arrest and imprisonment of six Bahá‘í leaders last week. Archbishop of Myanmar Issues Statement May 19, 2008 – Sisters and brothers in Christ, On Saturday 17 May 2008, it was Day 14 after Cyclone Nargis first struck Myanmar. Its winds, which reached up to a maximum of 190km/h, first hit the low-lying Delta region (Ayeyawardy Division) of south-western Myanmar adjoining the Bay of Bengal on Friday 2 May 2008 and then ploughed through the hinterland during the course of Saturday 3 May 2008 in a north-easterly direction until it reached Yangon (Yangon Division), and then turned north-north-easterly, dissipating as it reached the Myanmar-Thailand border. Lutheran Leaders Express Concern over Impact of Immigration Raids May 21, 2008, CHICAGO – The Rev. Steven L. Ullestad, bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Iowa Synod, Waverly, and Ralston H. Deffenbaugh Jr., president, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Baltimore, expressed concern about the impact of immigration enforcement raids on children and families in a May 20 statement submitted to the U.S. Congress and entered into the Congressional Record. The statement is in response to the May 12 federal immigration raid at a meat processing plant in Postville, Iowa, where federal agents arrested more than 310 men and 76 women working at the plant. United Methodists Stand with Arrested Workers May 20, 2008 – More than 300 "little lights" representing workers arrested in an immigration raid in northeast Iowa were lit and then extinguished during a "service of solidarity" held at First United Methodist Church in Sioux City. The May 15 vigil was one of a series of faith events across Iowa that have drawn attention to the plight of immigrant workers and their families in the wake of the largest single-site immigration raid in U.S. history. Iowa's United Methodist episcopal leader, Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, responded by calling for an end to such raids and urging U.S. government leaders to pass a comprehensive immigration policy that recognizes the contributions of migrants to the U.S. economy and culture. Tutu Advocates for HIV Positive Children May 20, 2008 Holding up a t-shirt proclaiming, "HIV Positive Kids Need Treatment," Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu highlighted the need to address the challenges faced in relation to HIV positive children in his speech to the 61st World Health Assembly today. "Children are dying of easily preventable diseases," he stated. Almost 800 children die of AIDS-related illnesses every day. According to the latest figures from UNAIDS, approximately 2.1 million children under 15 are living with HIV; nearly 90 percent of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. Bishops Can Give Deacons Sacramental Authority May 21, 2008 – United Methodist bishops will be allowed to grant authority to deacons to administer Holy Communion and baptism in certain circumstances under legislation approved this spring by General Conference. The authority can be granted to a deacon within his or her primary appointment in the absence of an elder. The change takes effect in January 2009. "This legislation is an effort to extend the mission and ministry of the church in extraordinary circumstances when an elder is not present," said the Rev. Mary Ann Moman, a staff executive with the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. May 20, 2008, GENEVA – Ahead of the 11th Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in July 2010, LWF member churches are being challenged to be open to hearing and learning from one another about the positive experiences ordained women are having on churches within and beyond the Lutheran communion. A communiqué by participants in a recent consultation called to assess the situation with regard to women's ordination in the LWF member churches, invites the churches to see the ordination of women "not primarily as a societal or women's issue but as a matter that goes to the heart of what it means to be the church." Minnesota Lutherans Run to End World Hunger May 23, 2008 – About 15 members of South Santiago Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, Minn., will participate in the Buffalo Triathlon, Buffalo, Minn., June 1 to raise awareness and funds for the World Hunger Appeal of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The church's pastor, the Rev. Jeffrey A. Sackett, is leading the group. Those training include "moms who wanted to get back in shape, youth who were looking for something different to do outside of church" and others, said Sackett. To train, the group runs together after Sunday worship. New Advertising Focuses on Faith in Action May 21, 2008 – Highlighting community outreach across the Episcopal Church and the theme "Put Your Faith to Work," new print and video advertisements are scheduled to debut starting May 22 for a summer run in public media. The first of a series of print ads -- headlined "Get Closer to God. Slice Carrots," -- is scheduled to appear in USA Today May 22-23. The accompanying video spot is targeted for the CNN Headline News/Airport Channel during peak holiday travel times, including the Memorial Day weekend. The ads point readers and viewers to a dedicated website, which includes links for locating local congregations churchwide. The site also provides links to service-focused ministries within the Episcopal Church. Anglican – Lutheran International Commission Communique May 19, 2008, CHENNAI, India – The Third Anglican – Lutheran International Commission (ALIC) held its third meeting at Chennai, India, between 28 April and 5 May 2008, under the co-chairmanship of the Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, Primate of Canada, and of Reverend Dr. Cameron Harder, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon, Canada, in the absence of Bishop Thomas Nyiwè, Cameroon, who was unable to attend. Archbishop Demetrios to Visit Moscow at the Official Invitation of Patriarch Alexy May 19, 2008, NEW YORK, NY – On Wednesday May 22nd, Archbishopp Demetrios of America will travel to Russia, leading a delegation from the Archdiocese on an official visit to the Patriarchate of Moscow. This first official visit of an Archbishop of America to the Church of Russia comes after the invitation of Patriarch Alexy II, conveyed both in person by His Grace Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk, the Administrator of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the United States, and in writing by His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the Head of External Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. Cardinal to Bring Alexy II a Papal Message May 21, 2008, VATICAN CITY – Cardinal Walter Kasper left for Moscow today to take a message from Benedict XVI to Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will be in Russia through May 30. The trip was undertaken at the invitation of Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the president of the Department of External Affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, reported the pontifical council. The program of the visit includes an inaugural celebration for the feast of Corpus Christi at the Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow. AJC Hails Presbyterian Critique of Anti-Jewish Teaching on Israel May 19, 2008, NEW YORK – The American Jewish Committee praised the Presbyterian Church (USA) for its strongly-worded condemnation of anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish language in writings about Israel. Vigilance against anti-Jewish Ideas and Bias, issued by the church's Interfaith Relations Office, repudiates anti-Semitism in advocacy and writings on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "This statement is tough, thorough and balanced – we warmly welcome it," said Rabbi Gary Greenebaum, AJC's U.S. director of Interreligious Affairs. Commentary: How Can a Christian Be in Politics? May 23, 2008 – "How can a Christian be in politics?" People of faith ask me this all the time. They seem startled that a former United Methodist minister is serving in public office. Once when I was about to preach, my friend Johnny Hayes introduced me to his congregation by telling of a political event that honored a 100-year-old gentleman. Johnny allegedly had asked the centenarian how he had survived so long as a member of a small minority in a county dominated by the other political party. The gentleman's sage reply was: "Johnny, you've just got to know who you can trust and who you can't trust." When Johnny pressed him on how to tell the difference, the old man replied: "There's just three types of folks you can't trust. You can't trust lawyers. You can't trust preachers. And you can't trust politicians." Tenemos El Compromiso Como Iglesia De Ayudar a Los Migrantes 20 mayo 2008, CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA – Ante diez líderes de distintas iglesias históricas, pentecostales y neopentecostales disertó- el pasado sábado 16- el sacerdote Mauro Bazeletti, coordinador de la Casa del Migrante de la Iglesia Católica, sobre la realidad de los migrantes, los familiares y el papel de la iglesia en Guatemala. Bazeletti dijo que "la realidad es cada vez más compleja por los desafíos sociales, culturales, las relaciones familiares, la estabilidad emocional, se necesita una visión integral para los emigrados y para las familias que se han quedado." El Dalai Lama Demanda Mayores Esfuerzos Para Lograr Armonía Y Paz En El Mundo 20 mayo 2008, NUREMBERG, Alemania – El Dalai Lama, líder religioso del pueblo tibetano formuló el domingo último en Nuremberg un llamado público a recuperar la valoración plena de todo ser humano y a desarrollar mayores esfuerzos para que exista más armonía en el mundo. Con esta apelación se dirigió a la comunidad internacional, y particularmente a todos los miembros de los diversas comunidades religiosas, los que en palabras del Dalai Lama "deben respetarse mutuamente y evitar conflictos entre ellos mismos." Pague Al Abrir El Grifo: Medidores De Agua Prepagada Ponen a Los Pobres En Riesgo 22 mayo 2008 – En Lesotho, Sudáfrica y en muchos otros países africanos, se está promoviendo la instalación de dispositivos que sólo permiten a los consumidores utilizar el agua que han pagado anticipadamente. Si bien el objetivo es financiar una mejor infraestructura hídrica, expertos de las iglesias advierten que se trata de una solución problemática, ya que pone en peligro el acceso de los más pobres entre los pobres a este recurso indispensable para la vida. Tenemos El Compromiso Como Iglesia De Ayudar a Los Migrantes 20 mayo 2008, CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA – Ante diez líderes de distintas iglesias históricas, pentecostales y neopentecostales disertó- el pasado sábado 16- el sacerdote Mauro Bazeletti, coordinador de la Casa del Migrante de la Iglesia Católica, sobre la realidad de los migrantes, los familiares y el papel de la iglesia en Guatemala. Bazeletti dijo que "la realidad es cada vez más compleja por los desafíos sociales, culturales, las relaciones familiares, la estabilidad emocional, se necesita una visión integral para los emigrados y para las familias que se han quedado." En Homenaje En La Est Boff Destaca La Indignación De Lutero 19 mayo 2008, SAN LEOPOLDO, Brasil – Al recibir el jueves 15 el primer título de doctor "honoris causa" de una institución brasileña, el teólogo católico Leonardo Boff destacó la actualidad del reformador Martín Lutero y del principio protestante de la indignación. "La teología de Lutero es buena para la humanidad sufriente. Él fue un maestro de la fe y la voz que clama por la renovación espiritual," enfatizó. En Dubai Los Cristianos Oran Unos Junto a Otros, Pero No Siempre Unidos 20 mayo 2008 – Los viernes, el complejo de edificios de la iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad de Dubai suele estar abarrotado de fieles desde la mañana temprano hasta el atardecer. Unos 10.000 – 11.000 miembros de más de 120 congregaciones y grupos cristianos diferentes vienen aquí el día de descanso semanal en los Emiratos. FUMEC Intensifica El Pedido De Ayuda Para Las Víctimas Del Ciclón "Nargis" 21 mayo 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – El consejo de Iglesias de Myanmar trabaja intensamente para auxiliar a las miles de víctimas del ciclón Nargis. La Federación Mundial de Estudiantes Cristianos (FUMEC) reforzó la solicitud de ayuda para esta zona, en base al pedido de auxilio de las comunidades eclesiales. En la noche del 2 de mayo y la mañana del 3, el ciclón Nargis golpeó el sur de Myanmar y causó daños enormes y grandes pérdidas de vidas humanas y animales en la división Irrawaddy y Yangon. ELCA Synod Bishop Calls for Immigration Reform May 20, 2008, CHICAGO – In response to the May 12 federal immigration raid at a meat processing plant in Postville, Iowa, the Rev. Steven L. Ullestad, bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Iowa Synod, said, "The intervention by the U.S. government in my hometown of Postville has instilled fear into the hearts of U.S. citizens." Ullestad spoke May 18 to more than 400 people gathered for an ecumenical prayer service at Queen of Peace Parish (Roman Catholic), Waterloo, in response to the raid. Ullestad said the raid "has decimated an entire community." Federal agents arrested about 390 workers at the plant, making the raid the largest at a single location in U.S. history. In Dubai Christians Pray Side by Side but Not Always Together May 19, 2008 – On Fridays, the Holy Trinity church compound in Dubai is abuzz with worshipers from early morning till after nightfall. Some 10 – 11 thousand members of more than 120 different Christian groups and congregations come here on the Emirates' weekly day of rest. Services in more than a dozen tongues – including English and Arabic, but most of them South Asian such as Urdu, Tagalog, Tamil or Malayam – fill not only the main church from 6 am to 11 pm but the 25 other halls built around a central courtyard adorned with a Canterbury cross. Burmese Baptists Suffer Heavy Toll; American Baptists Called to Prayer May 22, 2008 VALLEY FORGE, PA – Baptists in Burma were among those hardest hit by Cyclone Nargis, which struck the country on May 2 and 3, packing winds of over 120 miles per hour and causing widespread flooding. American Baptists have been urged to pray for the situation in Burma, now called Myanmar by its ruling military junta, by ABCUSA General Secretary, Rev. A. Roy Medley. ELCA Global Mission Staff in China to Learn about Earthquake Recovery May 22, 2008, CHICAGO – The Rev. Peter K. Shen, consultant on China, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Global Mission, is in southwest China May 19 to June 1 to learn how the ELCA may effectively support its partners there on the reconstruction and healing of communities devastated by a May 12 earthquake that struck the Sichuan province there. "Pastor Shen is meeting with the bishop of the Taiwan Lutheran Church and the general secretary of the Sichuan Christian Council to develop a comprehensive plan for engagement in response to the disaster," said the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission. International Ministries Launches Global Food Crisis Fund May 15, 2008, VALLEY FORGE, PA – American Baptist International Ministries has launched a Global Food Crisis Fund, which will provide desperately needed money to help their partners in poor areas deal with the rising costs of basic foods. The fund will begin with $100,000, with $50,000 coming from International Ministries. The other $50,000 comes from the One Great Hour of Sharing, an offering conducted by the World Relief Office of American Baptist Churches USA. May 22, 2008 JAKARTA, Indonesia – Against the backdrop of a rapidly worsening world food crisis, more than 91 percent of households in Indonesia's West Timor region are suffering hunger and alarming levels of malnutrition because of inadequate access to food, according to a new report issued today by global humanitarian agency Church World Service (CWS). In four West Timor districts surveyed, CWS reports about 50 percent of infants and young children are moderately and/or severely underweight – significantly higher than in African countries overall, where 21.9 percent of small children are underweight, according to a January report in The Lancet. Reconnecting with Disciples in the Congo May 21, 2008 – Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, As you read this, I will already – God willing – be in Congo. I've been there before. As a twenty-two year old, wet behind the ears, recent college graduate I remember stepping off the plane in the capital, Kinshasa, for the first time. No jet bridge into an air-conditioned terminal. Instead, we walked into a drape of heavy, hot, humid air. It wrapped around us, provided resistance to our forward movement, a physical weight. International Ministries Sends Relief Grant after China Earthquake May 19, 2008, VALLEY FORGE, PA – American Baptist International Ministries has sent a $5,000 grant to our partner, The Amity Foundation, for immediate relief efforts, after one of the strongest earthquakes to strike China in decades happened Monday, May 12, leaving thousands dead and more missing. According to news media reports, more than 15,000 people are estimated to have died when the earthquake, which measured 7.9 in magnitude, struck in Sichuan province, an area in Southwestern China. The province is very near a border with Myanmar, which has been devastated recently by a cyclone. United Methodists Support Initial Relief in China May 22, 2008 – A United Methodist-supported relief team has been assessing the needs of earthquake survivors in several Chinese villages and distributing emergency supplies. On May 21, the Amity Foundation team distributed 6.8 tons of oil and 1,700 quilts in the villages of Penghua and Wolong. According to a report from She Hongyu, Amity's overseas liaison, other materials such as waterproof cloths and rice were being purchased. "Villagers were quite surprised at the speedy action as the need assessment was only done yesterday in these two villages," She wrote. "Villagers took active part in the distribution by helping unloading the goods and putting up the Amity banner." Anglican Churches in the Americas Plans February Mission Gathering May 21, 2008 – The first large-scale gathering in the Anglican Churches of the Americas will be a February 2009 conference on "mutual responsibility and mission." The organizers hope the gathering will help "to continue to celebrate our relationships through friendship, prayer, common worship, and to focus on God's common mission in the world," according to the draft of a "save the date" letter. The conference will take place during the week of February 22 in San Juan, Costa Rica. Exact dates during that week are still to be determined. "I would hope that the Anglican Churches in the Americas can come to a common understanding of our mission work together going forward from the conference," House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson recently told ENS. AJC Statement on or Yehuda Book Burnings May 22, 2008, JERUSALEM – The American Jewish Committee welcomes the apology of Or Yehudah Deputy Mayor Uzi Aharon, who it had been alleged was behind the burning of copies of the New Testament in the town last week, and urged Israeli Jewish leaders to issue a public condemnation against such despicable behavior. "Burning books, especially scriptures of any religion, is a travesty of Jewish ethics and historical experience," said Rabbi David Rosen, AJC's International Director of Interreligious Affairs. Massey Named Director of Lutheran Disaster Response May 22, 2008, CHICAGO – The Rev. Kevin A. Massey has been named director of Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran-Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), and director for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response. In 2005 Massey became assistant director of ELCA Domestic Disaster Response. May 20, 2008, GENEVA – An active crusader for justice in his church, nation and global ecumenical context, is how the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) described the contribution of Bishop Dr Wesley Kigasung, head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG), who died on 14 May 2008, aged 57, following illness. May 20, 2008, ROME – In the splendour of the Church of Santa Maria Sopa Minerva, Rome, the Very Revd David Richardson, former Dean of Melbourne, (Australia) was installed and blessed as the new Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome (ACR) on 7May 2008. He also will serve as the Archbishop of Canterbury's personal representative to the Holy See (The Vatican and the Pope). The use of this church, where the sacred remains of St Catherine of Siena rest, is the titular church of Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor of Westminster, and was offered to the Anglicans for this special service. |
