October 24, 2008

CHICAGO – Faith-based organizations such as the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and its leaders must not relent on their responsibility to agitate for multilateral solutions that ensure fair and just lending and borrowing practices globally, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson. Hanson, presiding bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and LWF president, made the remarks at an international consultation on illegitimate debt Oct. 21-23 in Oslo, Norway.

"We must recognize the complexity of issues without allowing their complexity to immobilize us. We must not lose our voice," said Hanson, relating the current global financial crisis to the International Symposium on Illegitimate Debt, co-organized by the LWF.

The LWF is a global communion of 140 member churches representing more than 68.3 million Lutherans. Hanson is also presiding bishop of the 4.7 million-member ELCA.

More than 60 representatives of churches, governments, international and regional financial institutions, United Nations organizations and society attended the symposium, seeking to jointly formulate practical approaches for further political and legal action on illegitimate debt.

Speaking to Lutheran World Information, Hanson pointed to the mandate of the 2003 LWF Ninth Assembly, which urged the LWF to place a priority on illegitimate debt cancellation through actions that integrate a broader approach based on moral, ethical and legal obligations.

"We [church leaders] must always ask the questions: ‘At whose expense are profits being made? What will be the long-term impact for people who live in poverty?' And we must hold governments accountable," Hanson said.

Seeking alliances with other stakeholders remains an important LWF strategy. "This symposium is our (opportunity) to convince others – lawyers, economists and policy makers – that solutions to the illegitimate debt crisis will depend on our capacity to push together for concrete steps," Hanson said.

Hanson moderated an Oct. 22 panel during which the Norwegian Minister for Environment and Development, Erik Solheim, and Ecuador's Attorney General, Washington Pesantez Munoz, presented their respective governments' initiatives on sovereign debt.

ELCA News Service
Lutheran World Information is the LWF information service and is the source of this report.