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Ecumenical Solidarity on a Journey to Liberation
Delegates at Dalit Conference Affirm Commitment to Global Advocacy

April 15, 2009, BANGKOK, Thailand/GENEVA – When Elske van Gorkum took up her first job in a Dalit community in India, her hosts could hardly believe what they heard when she said there were no castes in her native Netherlands. "For them, a society without castes is unthinkable," van Gorkum says, "but coming from an egalitarian society, I also had difficulty at first understanding ‘untouchability.'"

ELCA Washington Office Releases Case Study on the Future of Iraq

April 17, 2009 – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Washington Office released a resource guide on the war in Iraq, "Peace, Conflict and Public Church: A Case Study on the Future of Iraq." Kimberly C. Steitz, director for international public policy, ELCA Washington Office, said, "The guide comes at a crucial time as Iraq seeks to establish a sustainable democracy."

Chemberlin, Watkins among Church Leaders
Named to White House Faith-Based Panel

April 6, 2009, WASHINGTON – The President Elect of the National Council of Churches and the head of one of the NCC's 35 member communions were named today to the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The Rev. Peg Chemberlin, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Churches and President Elect of the National Council of Churches USA, and the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), are among the appointees named today by President Obama.

Conservative Anglican Primates Recognize Proposed North American Entity

April 16, 2009 – Conservative Anglican leaders and former Episcopalians, meeting April 14-16 in London, have said they recognize a proposed entity composed of disaffected Anglicans in North America. The announcement came in an April 16 communiqué from the GAFCON/FCA Primates' Council that was created at the controversial Global Anglican Future Conference. That meeting was held in Jerusalem during June 2008, one month prior to the 2008 Lambeth Conference of bishops.

Seamen's Church Institute Announces Efforts to Care for Victims of Piracy

April 17, 2009 – In response to recent, high-profile incidents of piracy off the coast of the East African nation of Somalia, the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI), an ecumenical agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church, launches new efforts to increase awareness of the effects of these attacks on its mariner victims. These efforts include the submission of a resolution to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) earlier this month, a church-relations campaign, and the draft of an open letter to international governments and the maritime industry.

Bishop Thanks Obama for Immigration Reform Focus

April 15, 2009 – A United Methodist bishop is applauding the White House for upcoming conversations on comprehensive federal immigration reform, which could affect some 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States. President Barack Obama announced this week that his administration would begin discussions on immigration reform later this year, and published reports indicate that the administration would collaborate with a bipartisan, diverse group of experts to help build the framework for legislation. "As United Methodists, we believe that immigration is a human rights issue that needs serious attention," said Phoenix Bishop Minerva Carcaño in an April 13 statement thanking Obama for putting immigration reform on his agenda for 2009.

General News

Presiding Bishop Celebrates Easter in Florentine Episcopal Church

April 12, 2009, FLORENCE, Italy – Referring to the earthquake that devastated the Italian town of L'Aquila in the Abruzzi region six days earlier, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori marked Easter Day here by asking whether men and women can always recognize the risen Christ. "The Easter question for us is always, do we recognize what we're seeing? Can we see newly risen life in L'Aquila? . Can we see Jesus in unexpected joy?" she said in a sermon delivered at St. James Church, the so-called "American church" in Florence celebrating the end of its centennial year.

John Calvin Conference to Open at Calvin College

April 14, 2009 – Reformer John Calvin remains a controversial and frequently misunderstood figure, even as the anniversary of his 500th birthday approaches, says Karin Maag, director of the Meeter Center for Calvin Studies at Calvin College. At the same time, though, Calvin's life and legacy are getting fruitful scrutiny during this year in which events are being held all over the world to honor and in some cases probe the personality and theology of the man from whom Reformed churches everywhere draw inspiration One of the largest events to focus on Calvin and his legacy in the United States begins this week at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Orthodox Christians to Observe Easter (Pascha) April 19

April 15, 2009, NEW YORK – More than 250 million Orthodox Christians worldwide will celebrate Easter (Pascha) this year on April 19. Faithful in great numbers, crowd churches for Holy Week services and in preparation for the Feast of Feasts, the Resurrection of Christ. "On this Holy Feast of Pascha, as we fill our churches and our hearts with the light and joy of the Resurrection, let us joyfully profess our belief in the Risen Lord, Who is in our midst," says Archbishop Demetrios, spiritual leader of 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians in America.

CPS to Offer Healthcare Coverage to Seminary Students

April 13, 2009 Concordia Plan Services (CPS) has announced it will offer healthcare coverage to students (and their families) at the Synod's two seminaries – Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. According to a CPS press release, the plan, which has been under development for more than a year, will provide "improved, affordable, and comprehensive coverage that will meet the needs of students and their families. It also will ease the transition from the student plan into the Concordia Health Plan for active workers upon graduation." In the past, the two seminaries worked separately with independent brokers to provide limited health insurance for their students.

Couple Serves God with Green Ministry

April 17, 2009, WILMORE, Ky. – Matthew and Nancy Sleeth hang their laundry to dry on a clothesline outside their home near Lexington – something you don't see much these days. They live a simple life in a simple house, a stark contrast to the couple's busy work schedule in a mad rush to talk to as many people as possible "before it's too late." The Sleeths don't consider themselves radicals. They are just ordinary people who have altered their lifestyle to save the earth and to serve God. In the last two years, the couple has spoken more than 850 times to United Methodist congregations and other groups, encouraging them to live greener.

Ecumenical News

Christians and Buddhists in Dialogue

April 3, 2009, VATICAN CITY – Made public today was the annual Message to Buddhists for the Feast of Vesakh, issued by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue and signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the council. Vesakh, the main Buddhist festivity, marks three fundamental moments in the life of Gautama Buddha. It is held during the full moon of the month of May because, according to tradition, the Buddha was born, achieved enlightenment, and passed away in that period.

Spanish News

Acompañando a Los Dalit En Su Camino a La Liberación

15 abril 2009 – Cuando Elske van Gorkum empezó a trabajar en una comunidad dalit en la India, sus anfitriones apenas podían creerle cuando les contaba que no hay castas en Holanda, su país natal. "Para ellos, una sociedad sin castas es impensable," dice van Gorkum, "pero viniendo de una sociedad igualitaria, también a mí me resultó difícil al principio comprender la ‘intocabilidad.'"

Confesión De Lugo Conmociona a Paraguay. Apoyo Del Obispo Pagura

14 abril 2009, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – "Es cierto. Hubo una relación con Viviana Carrillo y reconozo la paternidad del niño." Con estas palabras que retumbaron ayer en Palacio de López, el presidente Fernando Lugo, ex obispo de San Pedro, confesó su relación con la joven mujer (26) con quien tuvo un hijo: Guillermo Armindo (2). La relación amorosa y el nacimiento del niño fue en su última etapa de obispo.

Dengue: De Pobreza, Desidia Oficial Y Cambio Climático

13 abril 2009, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Enfermedades de la pobreza, olvidadas o reemergentes, así la denominan análisis sociales y sanitarios. Distintos nombres para definir lo mismo: males que muchas veces permanecen invisibles, pero que están ahí, latentes, y afectan principalmente a personas sin servicios sanitarios básicos, con problemas de salud y escasa atención médica.

Anglicanos De Cuba Acompañarán a Quienes Tienen Familiares Fuera De La Isla

17 abril 2009, SAN LEOPOLDO, Brasil – Ni bien retorne a Cuba, su país natal, la pastora episcopal anglicana Marianela de La Paz, que defendió su doctorado en Teología en la Facultad EST, en São Leopoldo, a fines de marzo, fortalecerá el aconsejamiento pastoral en la iglesia y priorizará el acompañamiento de personas que tienen familiares fuera de la Isla. Son dos desafíos que la doctoranda destacó en su tesis y que su madre, la obispa Nerva Cot, la primera mujer ordenada para tal función en la Iglesia Episcopal Anglicana en la región del Caribe y en América Latina, reconoce como un paso importante para la misión de la iglesia que lidera.

El Consejo De Iglesias De Cuba Sostiene Diálogo Con La Sección De Intereses De Los EEUU

13 abril 2009, LA HABANA, Cuba – Con el propósito de completar un informe que realiza su gobierno sobre las libertades religiosas en los países del mundo, a través de sus embajadas u oficinas, visitó el Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba (CIC), el señor Thomas Hamm, actual funcionario de la Sección de Intereses de los Estados Unidos (SINA). Le recibieron, en la sede del organismo ecuménico, los reverendos Marcial Miguel Hernández, presidente del CIC, y su secretario ejecutivo Pablo Odén Marichal, además de Raúl Suárez Ramos, este último diputado al parlamento cubano, entre otros líderes ecuménicos.

Luteranos Incentivan Diálogo Interreligioso

14 abril 2009, PORTO ALEGRE, Brasil – La Iglesia Evangélica de Confesión Luterana de Brasil (IECLB) estimula a la creación de grupos de diálogo interreligioso, con el objetivo de conocerse mutuamente, quebrar barreras de preconcepto y miedo, buscando un clima de respeto y confianza mutuos y de solidaridad. La recomendación consta en documento firmado por la presidencia de la IECLB, pastor Walter Altmann, sobre "Directrices teológico-pastorales para actos y diálogos interreligiosos."

Puja Diplomática Entre EE.UU Y El Vaticano

15 abril 2009, GINEBRA, Suecia – Aunque el Vaticano niega la noticia, diversos medios han señalado que tres candidatos a embajadores de Estados Unidos ante la Santa Sede han sido vetados por ser defensores del derecho al aborto. No hay nada cierto sobre ese asunto en los reportes de prensa italianos y estadounidenses, señaló este viernes el Rev. Federico Lombardi, su vocero oficial. Según declaraciones de Lombardi al servicio de prensa católico de EE.UU., la Santa Sede no ha recibido nombres de candidatos de parte del gobierno de Estados Unidos.

Semana Santa Con Templos Llenos Y Cientos De Accidentes Con Víctimas Fatales

13 abril 2009, MANAGUA – A pesar de la crisis económica los balnearios del país fueron visitados por turistas nacionales y extranjeros, pero aún ante la migración a lugares costeros, las iglesias- tanto católicas como evangélicas- confirmaron también que se vieron llenas de fieles en la Semana Santa. Muchos pastores se trasladaron a balnearios en plan de retiro espiritual. En el gran Lago de Granada, lo novedoso es cada año aumentan mas los fieles de las islas que celebran el viacrucis acuático donde Jesús crucificado viaja en una lancha y en nueve isla se reza recordando las estaciones de la amargura que sufrió Cristo antes de llegar al Calvario.

Religious Liberty News

Egypt Changes Rules for ID Cards

April 17, 2009, CAIRO – Egypt's Ministry of Interior this week published a decree that allows individuals to obtain government documents without identifying themselves as belonging to a particular religion. The decree is the result of a recent Egyptian Supreme Administrative Court ruling – in a case involving Baha'is – that on government ID cards and other documents, individuals may put a dash in the field denoting religious affiliation.

Judge Allows Chancellor's Role, Episcopal Church Intervention in Property Dispute

April 17, 2009, PITTSBURGH – A judge has ruled in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh on several points in its legal dispute with former leaders over control of diocesan assets, according to a release posted on the diocesan website. In a hearing April 17, Judge Joseph James of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County allowed diocesan chancellor Andy Roman's appearance as the attorney for the Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church.

National News

The Completion of the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios
Missionary Training and Administration Building

April 14, 2009, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – On April 13, 2009 the staff of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center began working in the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Missionary Training and Administration Building. The opening of this facility marks a new era in North American Orthodoxy's mission movement. The building will prove to be a vital resource of the Church as more Orthodox Christians answer their call to share the Faith with people around the world through participation in the ministries of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC).

International News

World Association for Christian Communication Statement

April 16, 2009 – In the face of the worsening situation in Fiji, where media are being censored and journalists deported, WACC expresses solidarity with the island nation's people and especially with WACC members. Fiji's military government declared a 30-day state of emergency on 10 April under which local news reports critical of the government were banned and international media coverage subjected to censorship.

She Could Not Share Dogs' Water
Education Helps Dalit Woman Find Her Strength

April 15, 2009, BANGKOK, Thailand/GENEVA – Rama Devi Hansraj comes from Bhubaneshwar, the capital of India's northeastern state of Orissa. She may not have experienced removing human excrement from dry toilets with bare hands, a task assigned to Dalits like her, who were once called "untouchables." But Hansraj, aged 28, says she knows what it means to be considered below India's caste system. Growing up as a child of Hindu parents, she had to remember not to drink water from a tumbler reserved for upper caste children.

Dalits' Inner Strength Defeats Caste-Based Discrimination

April 15, 2009 – Caste-based discrimination in India may be 3,500 years old, but something new is unfolding. An emerging liberation movement has consciously chosen not to focus on Dalits' victimhood, but on the latent strength of the Dalit people, drawn from their own history and culture. By switching the emphasis from victimhood to inner strength, the Dalit Panchayat Movement, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, may very well be contributing to change the course of India's history, as well as that of its neighbours.

Study Reveals Parents Are Perpetrators in 85% of Child Abuse Cases

April 13, 2009 – According to recent statistics on child abuse collected by Taiwan Fund for Children and Families (TFCF), more than 85% of child abuse cases involve children abused by their own parents. Of the 1206 cases that have been reported in 2009, 1031 cases involve children abused by their own parents. This means that in 85.5% of all child abuse cases in the past few months, parents are the perpetrators. When asked about the causes of child abuse, 64% of respondents cited lack of parenting skills, 38% cited marital breakdown, 38% cited poverty, and 26% cited unemployment.

Presiding Bishop Calls Haitian Debt- Relief Aid ‘Gesture of Compassion and Human Generosity'

April 16, 2009 – The $20 million that the U.S. will give Haiti to help that country meet its upcoming debt obligations is "a gesture of compassion and human generosity toward a neighbor in desperate need," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori told President Barack Obama April 16. In a letter thanking Obama for the pledge, the Presiding Bishop said that she is "proud and pleased that the United States has offered to alleviate this significant obstacle to Haiti's ability to fight the crushing poverty and suffering of its people."

India: Christians Wary at Arrest of ‘Inflammatory' Poll Candidate

April 15, 2009, BANGALORE, India – Church leaders have said they are wary about the motives given by authorities for the arrest of a candidate for scheduled parliamentary elections from a "Hindu nationalist group" in the troubled Kandhamal district of India's Orissa state. Ashok Sahu, candidate of the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party for the Kandhamal parliamentary constituency was arrested on April 14 on a charge of making an "inflammatory speech" said aimed at fanning communal passion against Christians. Indians began voting on April 16 in polls to elect members of parliament, who will elect a new prime minister in the country dubbed the world's biggest democracy of 1.2 billion people.