August 10, 2009

CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is encouraging the 4.6 million-member church to advocate for peace in Sudan. He is asking that the denomination's professional leaders sign a letter addressed to U.S. President Barack Obama that calls for lasting peace in the Northeast African country.

In an Aug. 4 letter to ELCA members Hanson described the situation in Sudan, suggested ways Lutherans can take action for peace, and encouraged congregations to participate in the "Interfaith Weekend of Prayer for Sudan" Aug. 28-30.

"For more than 50 years, the people of Sudan have suffered from the harsh consequences of war," Hanson wrote. "More than 2 million lives have been lost over the course of two civil wars between the North and South (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) and six years of conflict in the western region of Darfur that began in 2003."

While Southern Sudan is working to forge peace with the North through the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), millions of innocent civilians in Darfur continue to be displaced from their homes and forced to live in camps where they depend on international aid for survival, Hanson wrote.

Lutherans in the United States can respond to the crisis in Sudan in two primary ways, Hanson said. ELCA members can write to their congressional representatives to advocate for "robust U.S. diplomatic engagement that seeks sustainable peace" in all of Sudan. The second is to contribute financial gifts that support Lutheran ministries of relief and development in Sudan, particularly through ELCA International Disaster Response.

Hanson is also urging Lutherans to join with their ecumenical and interfaith partners in adding their signatures to a letter addressed to Obama by Aug. 30.

"We, the undersigned faith leaders, write to express our support for your work to achieve lasting peace in Sudan," the letter states. "We thank your administration for recent efforts to address the current state of the CPA along with representatives of Sudan and the international community."

The letter asks Obama to ensure that all aspects of the CPA are fully implemented to help achieve a just and lasting peace for the people of Sudan.

"We urge your administration to continue working with the international community and key actors, including civil society, to help bring a sustainable peace agreement that will restore security and allow the Darfuri people to freely return to their homes and rebuild their lives," the letter states.

"While we represent diverse faith traditions, we are united in our work for peace, justice and the well-being of all God's people. As we lead our communities in action and prayer, please know that we support you in your work and believe that your strong leadership is critical in realizing peace and justice in Sudan," the letter states.

Hanson's letter to the ELCA and the letter to Obama are available at http://www.ELCA.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Advocacy.aspx, on the ELCA Web site.

Information about the Interfaith Weekend of Prayer for Sudan is at http://lwr.org/sudan/index.asp, on the Web.

INTERNATIONAL DISASTERS: Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors of major disasters outside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include: ELCA International Disaster Response, PO Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694- 1764, 1-800-638-3522 and http://www.ELCA.org/disaster/idrgive/, on the Internet.

ELCA News Service