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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
National Council of Churches to Candidates: October 14, 2008 – While the global economic crisis continues to unnerve the nation and world, leaders from the National Council of Churches have issued a letter to the U.S. presidential candidates, urging them to speak on behalf of persons living in poverty who are most impacted by economic instability. "As we consider bailouts and recovery plans, we now need to hear your voices demanding that the plight of America's poorest citizens, and the needs of people living in poverty around the world, will be addressed," the religious leaders said in their Oct. 13, 2008 letter. Neoliberalism in Retreat Says Ecumenical Consultation October 20, 2008 – There is a "gradual retreat of neoliberalism" in the region, according to participants in a Latin America and Caribbean ecumenical consultation to examine the links between poverty, wealth and ecology. Convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Latin American Council of Churches and the Christian Ecumenical Council of Guatemala, the consultation was held in Guatemala, 6-10 October, and was attended by 45 participants. Ecumenical Consultation Demarcates Common Ground for Dialogue with Islam October 22, 2008 – Christian communities should improve their knowledge of Islam, be good neighbours to Muslims and bear witness to their faith in an appropriate manner, according to an international group of church leaders and experts on Christian-Muslim dialogue. These were some of the recommendations put forward at an 18 to 20 October consultation aimed at developing an ecumenical Christian theological understanding of dialogue with Islam. Convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC), it gathered some fifty church leaders and experts on Christian-Muslim dialogue in Chavannes-de-Bogis, outside Geneva, Switzerland. Rector of Trinity Wall Street Talks about the Financial Crisis, 9/11 and Faith October 22, 2008, NEW YORK – Trinity Church Wall Street has ministered to the people of New York City in joy and sorrow, terror and triumph since its founding by charter of King William III of England in 1697, which specified an annual rent of one peppercorn payable to the Crown. Located on Wall Street and Broadway in the heart of Manhattan's Financial District, and believed to be the wealthiest parish in the United States due to its large landholdings of prime Manhattan real estate, Trinity has served as the spiritual home of the city's rich and poor for centuries. Covenant Design Group: Lambeth Commentary October 22, 2008 – The Covenant Design Group publish today the Lambeth Commentary, which sets out the responses of the bishops at the Lambeth Conference in their discussions of the St Andrew's Draft for an Anglican Covenant. The Commentary was complied by the Covenant Design Group at their recent meeting in Singapore and also sets out some of the initial thinking of the CDG in response to the comments of the bishops. The Commentary has already been sent out to all Provinces to assist in their discernment and response to the St Andrew's Draft, and encourages Provinces to submit their responses to the St Andrew's Draft, while contributing to the ongoing thinking on the development of the text. ACNS spoke to the Chairman of the Design Group, Archbishop Drexel Gomez about the Covenant Process. Berkeley UCC Holds Mass Blessing of Same-Sex Marriages October 20, 2008 – First Congregational UCC of Berkeley celebrated the weddings of eighteen same-sex couples during Sunday worship Oct. 19. The church sent a widespread invitation earlier in the month welcoming couples who wanted to have their weddings blessed by a faith community, regardless of their denomination, faith tradition or membership at the church. Same-sex couples have been able to marry in the state of California since May 15 when the state supreme court overturned a state law forbidding the practice. Kieschnick Acts in Support of Biblical, Natural Marriage October 24, 2008 – LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick has been emphasizing the Synod's strong support for natural marriage in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 4 national election. Particular emphasis is being given to states with marriage amendments on the ballot – Arizona, California, and Florida. Kieschnick said Oct. 20 that he is working with district presidents and pro-family groups in those states to make the Synod's views known and to encourage Christians to vote. Thirty Years after Jonestown, DisciplesWorld Looks Back October 10, 2008 – On the 30th anniversary of the Jonestown tragedy, DisciplesWorld — an independent monthly journal for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the denomination that ordained Jim Jones — explores what happened on Nov. 18, 1978, in the Guyana jungle, and asks the toughest question of all: Could it happen again? In the November 2008 issue of DisciplesWorld, eyewitnesses and others reflect on Jim Jones, his ministry, his decline, and his relationship to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). ELCA Presiding Bishop Says Church must Be Heard in Complex Situations 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. Global Ministries: ‘Cell Out' for Congolese Justice October 18, 2008 – The Global Ministries "Cell Out" cell phone usage boycott is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 22, 12pm – 6pm, to raise awareness of the Congolese conflict over the natural resource coltan. The mineral, used in many electronic devices, is a catalyst for the war that has ravaged the Congo since 1996. Global Ministries has been a key supporter of the Church of the Disciples of Christ of the Congo (EDCC) in the Republic of Congo. Sandra Gourdet, Executive for the Africa Office of EDCC reports, "Global Ministries has been present in the region for over a century and is currently active in several provinces. We have witnessed that in spite of the violence, the ministries of the church move forward as signs of hope and humanity in the midst of despair and brutality." Thomas Speaks on Piety and Politics at the City Club of Cleveland October 13, 2008 – The Rev. John H. Thomas, UCC general minister and president, delivered the address "Piety and Politics on the Road to the White House" at The City Club of Cleveland on Oct. 10, 2008. In his speech, Thomas recounted the history of piety expressed by various political candidates – from the healing power of faith expressed by Abraham Lincoln to the division of public life and private spirituality by John F. Kennedy. Beyond these figures, Thomas described the changing public expression of piety in recent election cycles. He noted that the dominance of the Religious Right's voice as a shaper of political influence has more recently been offset by progressive voices of faith. Soulforce Riders Arrested Attempting to Enter Chapel, Bus Vandalized October 16, 2008 – Six Soulforce Equality Ride participants were arrested Monday, Oct. 13, while trying to attend worship services at the Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU) chapel in Florida. Since 2006, the Soulforce Equality Ride has visited 50 schools, hosting public forums, participating in panel discussions, and taking part in worship services and Bible studies. Their goal is to inspire conversation and to empower students, faculty, and administrators to make their school welcoming and safe for all students, especially LGBT students. Black Ministries Conference Participants Told to ‘Think Globally and Act Locally' October 21, 2008 – The opportunity to discuss and identify the challenges which prevent black and multicultural congregations from thriving drew more than 200 participants – from the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean and Latin America – to New Orleans, Louisiana on October 20 for the opening of the Episcopal Church's Black Ministries Conference. "Sisters and brothers we are rich in diversity, gifts and talents and we have gathered here as the body of Christ because we take seriously our responsibility as Christians in the world and have chosen to take a critical look at our congregations and ourselves," said the Rev. Angela S. Ifill, the Episcopal Church's program officer for black ministries, in her opening address. October 21, 2008, HELENA, Montana – If a proposed Anglican covenant is released in mid-May for adoption by the Anglican Communion's provinces, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will "strongly discourage" any effort to bring that request to the 76th General Convention in July. Jefferts Schori briefly discussed the covenant process during her remarks to the opening plenary session October 21 on the second of the Executive Council's four-day meeting in Helena, the seat of the Diocese of Montana. Anglican Communion provinces have until the end of March 2009 to respond to the current version of the proposed covenant, known as the St. Andrew's Draft. October 20, 2008, WATERLOO, Belgium – Sharing powerful accounts of their churches' histories, turning points and hopes for the future, Episcopalians from the Convocation of American Churches in Europe explored a new model for their annual convention this year and left feeling renewed, energized and inspired by one another's stories. The convention program, "Telling our Story, Building God's Mission in Europe," was described as "transforming" by delegates meeting at the new home of All Saints' Church in Waterloo, Belgium – eight miles south of Brussels and moments from the site where Napoleon Bonaparte and his French troops were defeated in the famous battle of 1815. Living in Community: the Goal of Christian-Muslim Dialogue October 20, 2008 – "Living together in community must take the centre stage of Christian-Muslim dialogue," said Catholicos Aram I at the opening of an 18-20 October ecumenical consultation aimed at developing a common Christian theological understanding of dialogue with Islam. "The prevailing misperceptions, ambiguities, polarizations, tensions and collision [of values between Muslims and Christians], hijacked and sharpened by politico-ideological agendas and geo-political strategies, can be transformed only through a shared life in community," stated Aram I, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church (See of Cilicia), in delivering the key-note speech of the consultation. Patriarch of Constantinople Addresses Synod of Bishops October 18, 2008, VATICAN CITY – In the Sistine Chapel at 5 p.m. today, the Holy Father presided at the celebration of first Vespers of the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time, marking the participation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in the work of the current Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. The ceremony, which was attended by more than 400 cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and lay people, began with a few brief words of introduction by Benedict XVI. In his English-language talk, Bartholomew I highlighted how this "is the first time in history that an Ecumenical Patriarch is offered the opportunity to address a Synod of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, and thus be ‘part of the life' of this sister Church at such a high level. El CIC Homenajea a Personalidades Cristianas En El Día De La Cultura Nacional 23 octubre 2008, LA HABANA, Cuba – El 20 de octubre se celebra el Día de la Cultura Nacional debido a que un día como ese, hace 140 años, Perucho Figueredo, insigne patriota, compuso y cantó por primera vez el Himno Nacional en la Plaza que lleva ese nombre, junto a la Iglesia Católica en la Ciudad de Bayamo, en el oriente del país. El Cristianismo Es Parte De Nuestro Patrimonio Nacional, Dijo a Kobia El Primer Ministro Indio 23 octubre 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – El primer ministro de la India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, señaló que "el cristianismo es parte de nuestro patrimonio nacional," cuando el Dr. Samuel Kobia lo visitó, el 18 de octubre pasado, en su residencia de Nueva Delhi. "Nos alegramos mucho al escuchar esta afirmación del primer ministro indio," dijo Kobia en una conferencia de prensa después de su reunión con el primer ministro. El comentario del primer ministro Singh es una impugnación a lo que dicen los grupos nacionalistas hindúes, que describen el cristianismo como una "religión extranjera" para justificar su campaña contra la comunidad cristiana en la India. Pastores Reformados Analizan El Mensaje De Calvino Para El Siglo XXI 21 octubre 2008, GINEBRA, Suiza – Veintisiete pastores de congregaciones protestantes reformadas de ocho países se reunieron en Ginebra del 13 al 17 de octubre para analizar la pertinencia de las ideas del reformador Juan Calvino en sus ministerios pastorales de hoy. La Consulta de Pastores fue organizada por la Alianza Reformada Mundial (WARC por sus siglas en inglés) y celebrada en el Centro Internacional John Knox. Esta fue la segunda consulta de alto nivel reformada para pastores de todo el mundo organizada por la Alianza. "El Cristianismo Es Parte De Nuestro Patrimonio Nacional," Dijo a Kobia El Primer Ministro" 23 octubre 2008 – El primer ministro de la India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, señaló que "el cristianismo es parte de nuestro patrimonio nacional," cuando el Dr. Samuel Kobia le rindió visita, el 18 de octubre pasado, en su residencia de Nueva Delhi. "Nos alegramos mucho al escuchar esta afirmación del primer ministro indio," dijo Kobia en una conferencia de prensa después de su reunión con el primer ministro. El comentario del primer ministro Singh es una impugnación a lo que dicen los grupos nacionalistas hindúes, que describen el cristianismo como una "religión extranjera" para justificar su campaña contra la comunidad cristiana en la India. 24 octubre 2008 – La Iglesia de la India del Norte (CNI), que actualmente pasa por los tiempos más duros de su historia debido a las persecuciones de que son víctimas muchos de sus miembros, ha demostrado su unidad durante su sínodo que se celebró en Pathankot, estado de Punjab, del 17 al 21 de octubre. Más de 400 delegados, representando a las 26 diócesis de la CNI, comenzaron la reunión con un minuto de silencio en homenaje a las víctimas de la violencia contra los cristianos en el estado oriental de Orissa, donde se encuentran tres de las diócesis de la CNI. En la diócesis de Phulbani, capital del distrito de Kandhamal, donde es el centro de la violencia contra los cristianos, la mayoría de los edificios de la CNI fueron destruidos. Visita De Una Delegación Ecuménica Internacional a Uganda 24 octubre 2008 – La difícil situación de las personas desplazadas a consecuencia de la guerra será el tema principal de la visita de un equipo de "Cartas Vivas" a Uganda entre el 27 de octubre y el 2 de noviembre. Esta delegación ecuménica internacional enviada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) debatirá con representantes de las iglesias, el Estado y la sociedad civil la protección de los refugiados, centrándose especialmente en la violencia sexual y la vulnerabilidad de los niños. International Ecumenical Delegation to Visit Uganda October 23, 2008 – The plight of people displaced by war will be the main topic of a "Living Letters" visit to Uganda, 27 October to 2 November. An international ecumenical delegation sent by the World Council of Churches (WCC) will discuss with representatives of churches, state and civil society about the protection of refugees, with a specific focus on sexual violence and the vulnerability of children. Uganda has recently returned to relative stability after decades of military dictatorship and civil war. Sri Lanka's Buddhist Leaders Have Mixed Views on Resolving Ethnic Conflict October 24, 2008 – Leaders of Sri Lanka's Buddhist majority expressed divergent views on resolving the ethnic conflict in their country, while speaking to a delegation led by Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches. "Our concerns are very much the same as yours," said Dr Ittapana Dhammalankara Anunayaka Maha Thera, chairperson of the Conference of Religions. He made the remark on 20 October when a five member delegation led by Kobia visited the organization's offices at the Buddhist monastery of Narahenpita in Colombo. The Conference of Religions includes all major religious groups: Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians represented by the National Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church. "Christianity Is Part of Our National Heritage" Indian Prime Minister Tells Kobia October 20, 2008 – Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh observed that "Christianity is part of our national heritage" when Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), called on him on 18 October at his residence in New Delhi. "We are extremely pleased to hear this assertion from the Indian prime minister," Kobia told a news conference after his meeting with the prime minister. Prime minister Singh's comment is a rebuttal of the Hindu nationalist groups that describe Christianity as a "foreign religion" in justifying their campaign targeting the Christian community in India. Anti-Christian Violence in Orissa Reverberates at CNI Synod October 21, 2008 – The Church of North India (CNI), which is currently going through the hardest times in its history, with many church members suffering persecution, has demonstrated its unity at its 17-21 October synod meeting in Pathankot, Punjab state. The meeting began with a minute of silence as more than 400 delegates representing the 26 CNI dioceses remembered the victims of anti-Christian violence in the eastern state of Orissa. Three of the CNI's dioceses are located in Orissa. In the diocese of Phulbani, capital of Kandhamal district which is at the centre of communal violence against Christians, most of the CNI church structures have been destroyed. October 22, 2008, OSLO, Norway/GENEVA – The Norwegian government has affirmed its continued support for efforts that address the causes and consequences of debt and the burden it places on countries and development. Delivering the keynote address at the International Symposium on Illegitimate Debt taking place in Oslo, Norway, 21-23 October, the country's Deputy Minister for Finance Mr Roger Schjerva underlined the government would continue to seek "to be a leading force for debt cancellation" through existing and new multilateral mechanisms. |
