Front Page

The New Agenda: Unity Remains Central

August 28, 2009 – World Council of Churches general secretary-elect Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit was asked on Friday to outline his vision for the organization. He didn't have to look far for inspiration. A tapestry on the wall just to his left at the press conference, in the same hall where he was elected to the office the day before, displayed the words – in Greek – of Christ's prayer in John 17: ." . . that they all may be one." "That is the foundation of the World Council of Churches, and its goal," said Tveit, currently general secretary of the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations.

General News

Campaign for International Day of Prayer for Peace Registers 100 Groups

August 28, 2009, ELGIN, IL – On Earth Peace is encouraging Church of the Brethren congregations and other peace-minded groups to take part in the International Day of Prayer for Peace on Sept. 21. The annual observance is an initiative of the World Council of Churches and its Decade to Overcome Violence. Michael Colvin and Mimi Copp are organizing the On Earth Peace campaign to promote the day. As of Aug. 26, a total of 100 congregations and groups have registered to take part in the On Earth Peace campaign, according to the organizers.

WCC Considers Three Sites for 10th Assembly

August 27, 2009 – Central committee members will choose between three potential sites for the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, to be held in 2013: Busan, South Korea; Damascus, Syria; and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. "Selecting a venue for the next assembly is among the most important decisions that will be taken at this meeting of the central committee," vice-moderator Rev. Dr Margaretha Hendriks-Ririmasse said in introductory remarks on 27 August. "The location of the next assembly and the involvement of the hosting churches will help to shape the theme of the assembly, the particular witness of the assembly and the message that the assembly will offer to the world."

ELCA Churchwide Organization Begins Revising its Ministry Policies

August 30, 2009, CHICAGO – The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) directed that ministry policies be revised to eliminate prohibitions against partnered gay and lesbian members serving as lay and ordained leaders of the church. When the policy documents have been revised, congregations will have the option of calling a person in a publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationship, but they will not be required to do so, said the Rev. Stanley N. Olson, executive director, ELCA Vocation and Education. The assembly also directed that the policies "recognize the conviction of members who believe that this church should not call or roster" people in committed same-gender relationships.

Parker Lecture Marks 50 Years of Media Justice

August 27, 2009 – Commemorating the 50th anniversary of The Office of Communication, Inc. – the media-justice arm of the United Church of Christ – will hold its 27th annual Everett C. Parker Ethics in Telecommunications Lecture and Awards Program on Sept. 30 at The Riverside Church in New York City. This year's event has shifted to the UCC's original national headquarters city of New York after several years at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Online registrations are being accepted for the event where the keynote lecture will be presented by the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the U.S.A.

A Refuge from Domestic Violence
Chilean Lutheran Church Agreement with Government Provides Women's Shelters

August 26, 2009, SANTIAGO DE CHILE, Chile/GENEVA – Between 2001 and 2009, Chile registered 392 cases of murdered women. Most of the victims were killed by men with whom they had a close, intimate relationship. Only a small number of the deaths could be attributed to unfamiliar perpetrators. Although some of the victims had obtained court orders for protection, such measures did not work. The police often lacked sufficient powers to protect the women, making it impossible to prevent the murders. In the face of this crisis, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (IELCH) is providing a safe place for women and their children who are threatened by domestic violence.

ELCA Shares Significant Actions with Ecumenical, Global Partners

August 26, 2009, CHICAGO – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is sharing some significant actions taken at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly with its ecumenical and global partners. Two significant actions include the adoption of the ELCA's 10th social statement, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," and the modification of ministry policies that govern pastors and other professional church leaders in committed same-gender relationships.

Kobia Urges the "Courage to Hope"

August 26, 2009 – Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia sounded notes of hope as he delivered his final address as general secretary to the World Council of Churches central committee on 26 August. "I hope it is unnecessary to emphasize that the ‘courage to hope' has been a central theme of my personal ecumenical journey," Kobia said. "Holding together cross and resurrection, the sinful reality we are facing and the good news of the gospel, hope in Christ combines realism with the inspiring vision of God's reign to come." He pointed to examples of resilience in places such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, the Philippines, and Israel-Palestine – where he said the "effects of occupation are easily evident."

ELCA Synod Bishops, Voting Members Respond to Assembly Actions

August 28, 2009, CHICAGO – Most of the 65 synodical bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) want leaders, congregations and pastors to stay in conversation following the adoption of a social statement on human sexuality and the opening of the ELCA's ministry to people in committed same-gender relationships. Many bishops wrote to their respective synods following the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Some letters are posted on synod Web sites.

ABCUSA Burma Refugee Task Force Awards More than Three Dozen Grants

August 26, 2009, VALLEY FORGE, PA – Thirty-eight 2009 grants have been awarded by the ABCUSA Burma Refugee Task Force to American Baptists working with Burmese refugees in the United States. The 2008 grants totaled 31. These grants are supported by ABCUSA's Mission Initiative Fund and One Great Hour of Sharing funds from National Ministries. Grants are utilized for a variety of purposes. Most commonly, they support transportation that enables refugees to go to church, work, appointments and job interviews.

Karen Baptists Welcomed to National Events for Women and Girls

August 27, 2009, VALLEY FORGE, PA – Six Karen and Chin women attended the National Women's Conference and six Karen young adult women and girls attended the National Gathering for Girls—both sponsored by American Baptist Women's Ministries—on July 25-31, 2009, at Lake Williamson Christian Center in Carlinville, IL. The national board of AB Women's Ministries had held a scholarship fund drive in 2008 to enable women and girls from these communities to attend the national conferences.

General Convention Renounces Doctrine of Discovery
Repudiation of Centuries-Old Theory Has Modern Implications, Advocates Say

August 27, 2009 – Among the 419 resolutions that bishops and deputies considered during the July 8-17 meeting of General Convention in Anaheim, California were some that seemed obscure and received little attention, but that in reality carried significant meaning for many. Resolution D035, titled "Repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery," is one such measure. The doctrine began in 1455 when Pope Nicholas V, by way of his order "Romanus Pontifex," gave Portugal's King Alfonso V permission to "invade, search out, capture, vanquish, and subdue all Saracens and pagans whatsoever, and other enemies of Christ wheresoever placed, and the kingdoms, dukedoms, principalities, dominions, possessions, and all movable and immovable goods whatsoever held and possessed by them and to reduce their persons to perpetual slavery."

Women's Ordination: Not All Consequences Were Positive

August 24, 2009 – It is interesting to me, as a theologically educated lay woman and a former lay woman church worker, that the observations of the 35th anniversary of women's ordination are positive. There was nothing from the critics of the action and, while there was acknowledgement that much remained to be done, nothing to suggest that not all the consequences of 1974 and 1976 were positive. There were few of my church worker colleagues who wished to be ordained, once it became possible, not because they didn't approve of women priests, but because we felt secure in our own vocation as theologically educated lay professionals. What we found offensive was the complete lack of respect for our own work and vocation on the part of the women who sought ordination and were committed to their own vocations as ordained ministers.

Ecumenical Pact Does Not Open Door to Gay Clergy

August 26, 2009 – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's acceptance of pastors in same-sex relationships does not pave the way for noncelibate gay clergy to serve in United Methodist churches, officials from the two denominations said. The Lutheran vote Aug. 21 to drop its ban on gay clergy, coming a day after the denomination approved a full communion pact including the sharing of clergy with The United Methodist Church, raised the question of whether practicing homosexual Lutheran pastors would be permitted in United Methodist pulpits. Leaders from both churches said Aug. 26, however, that The United Methodist Church's ban on noncelibate gay clergy is unchanged.

Young Clergy Evangelize in Cyberspace

August 28, 2009 – Young United Methodist clergy see the elephant in the sanctuary – the fact more ministers are headed for retirement than the pulpits – and they are grabbing the mops. The concerned under-35 crowd is doing what comes naturally. It is using social media – Facebook, Twitter and blogs – to form an online community to search for ways to draw more young people into ministry and into the pews. A core group of 10 young clergy met with the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry in February. As a result, hundreds of young clergy are now talking and creating relationships in cyberspace through their own Web site.

Ecumenical News

Altmann: WCC Stands at Crossroads

August 26, 2009 – Rev. Dr Walter Altmann, in his moderator's address at the start of the World Council of Churches central committee meeting in Geneva on 26 August, said that the WCC – as well as the world at large – stands "at a crossroads in the present." Altmann touched on a variety of events marking milestones this year and next, including the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the upcoming centennial of the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh. He tied those episodes to some challenges of the present, including the shift of Christianity's "centre of gravity" to the global south, the need for the WCC's constituency to be more representative, the problems of poverty and "climate injustice" and the openness to change required for radical discipleship.

Kieschnick Issues Statement after ELCA Assembly Actions

August 27, 2009 – Repeating the LCMS position that the Bible condemns homosexual activity, Synod President Gerald Kieschnick issued a statement Aug. 24 that also offers "loving encouragement" and "our willingness to provide appropriate support" to like-minded pastors and lay people of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As Kieschnick pointed out early in his statement to Synod leaders and congregations, the statement came on the heels of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, which on Aug. 21 "voted to open the ministry of the ELCA to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in ‘committed relationships.'

Editorial Page

‘Amazing Grace'
an Encounter with Great Britain's National Health System

August 24, 2009 – I've been following the U.S. debate on health care with a growing sense of bewilderment and despair. Arguments raised by opponents seem to be quite bizarre and out of touch with reality — and utterly anti-poor. For most of my life, one of my heroes has been Aneurin Bevan, the feisty Labour socialist from the dirt-poor coal-fields of Wales, who was the only member of the House of Commons who could best Winston Churchill in debate. Bevan did so on a number of occasions. As the Minister of Health in Clement Atlee's post-World War II Labour Cabinet, Bevan was the architect of Great Britain's National Health Service (NHS).

Spanish News

Tres Sedes Se Postulan Para La X Asamblea Del CMI

27 agosto 2009 – La X Asamblea del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) se celebrará en 2013 en una sede que su comité central escogerá a comienzos de la semana próxima. Busan (Corea), Damasco (Siria) y Addis Ababa (Etiopía) son las ciudades candidatas. La Asamblea del CMI se lleva a cabo cada siete u ocho años y reúne alrededor de cinco mil representantes de iglesias miembros y del movimiento ecuménico de todo el mundo.

Podría Entrar En Funcionamiento Primer Seminario Católico
Construído Después De La Revolución

25 agosto 2009, CUBA – Lo que sería el primer seminario católico construido en Cuba, en 50 años, podría entrar en funcionamiento el próximo septiembre, según trascendió durante la reciente visita de un grupo de obispos y sacerdotes norteamericanos a la Isla. El complejo de edificios que se levanta a las afueras de la capital, tendrá un predio de 22 hectáreas en una distribución, según el diseño, en forma de herradura, con más de una docena de edificios alrededor de una plaza central y una hermosa capilla, donde se conjuga el moderno y funcional diseño que acogerá a lo que ya es el Nuevo Seminario de Teología San Carlos y San Ambrosio.

Kobia Hace Un Llamado a La Esperanza Como Factor De Cambio

26 agosto 2009 – "El movimiento ecuménico será pertinente en el mundo en la medida en que podamos contribuir a dar a las personas, especialmente a la generación más joven, una razón para vivir y esperar," afirmó Samuel Kobia, secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) en su último informe ante el comité central del organismo ecuménico. Kobia finaliza su mandato a fines de 2009. En su informe, el secretario general del CMI llamó a trabajar con esperanza por un ecumenismo que abarque "una visión de la vida en toda su plenitud."

Investigan a Sacerdotes Por Presuntos Delitos De Abuso Sexual

25 agosto 2009, CIUDAD DE PANAMÁ – Como un hecho sin precedentes aquí, puede calificarse el que el Vaticano haya abierto un proceso canónico contra varios religiosos locales, como presuntos autores de los delitos de abuso sexual a menores de edad y encubrimiento. Éste podría convertirse en el escándalo más grande de pederastia que haya sacudido a la Iglesia Católica panameña. El tema, que parecía limitarse a rumores de dudoso origen, a finales de mayo adquirió otra dimensión, cuando monseñor Óscar José Vélez Isaza, enviado de la Santa Sede, se entrevistara en Panamá ocn varios religiosos, incluyendo a un obispo.

Iglesia Luterana De La Octava Región Se Manifiesta
Sobre Las Demandas Del Pueblo Mapuche

27 agosto 2009, CHILE – Frente a los últimos acontecimientos vinculados a las demandas del pueblo Mapuche, la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana, Congregación San Pablo de la comuna de Hualpén, hizo pública una declaración donde analizan las causas del conflicto histórico y piden resoluciones. Periódicamente, expresan, nuestro país se ve remecido por hechos de violencia, que estremecen la conciencia nacional y que afectan a uno de nuestros pueblos originarios, el pueblo MAPUCHE.

Urge Una Visión Ecuménica Para Un Mundo Dividido, Dice Moderador Del CMI

26 agosto 2009 – Es urgente que el movimiento ecuménico ofrezca una visión a "un mundo que está tan dividido como lo estaba cuando el telón de acero y el muro de Berlín aún existían; cuando el apartheid y las dictaduras militares aún estaban vigentes," dijo Walter Altmann, moderador del comité central del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), en su informe ante este cuerpo hoy. Hoy el mundo "está dividido de manera más compleja y, al mismo tiempo, más flagrante y sutil," señaló Altmann.

Olav Fykse Tveit Electo Secretario General Del Cmi

27 agosto 2009 – El teólogo y pastor noruego Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit (48) fue electo secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) hoy, jueves 27, por el comité central de la organización reunido en Ginebra, Suiza, del 26 de agosto al 2 de septiembre. Tveit es el séptimo secretario general de la organización ecuménica y el más joven desde que Willem A. Visser ‘t Hooft lideró el CMI durante su proceso de formación y luego de su asamblea constitutiva hace seis décadas años.

Religious Liberty News

Presiding Bishop Stands in Solidarity with Pakistani Christians, Signs Blasphemy Law Petition

August 21, 2009 – Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has written to the moderator and bishops of the Church of Pakistan assuring them of the Episcopal Church's "ongoing prayers and attention concerning the ever-changing situation" in the South Asian country. She was referring to the increased persecution of Christian minorities in Pakistan and a recent surge in terrorist activity in the Swat valley and neighboring regions that has displaced more than three million people.

SAN JOAQUIN: Breakaway Diocese Asks California Appeals Court to Review Ruling

August 28, 2009 – Representatives for the breakaway Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin have asked a California appellate court to review a July lower court decision affirming Bishop Jerry Lamb as the leader of the Episcopal Church in the Central California Valley diocese. Bishop Jerry Lamb of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin and the Episcopal Church will have until September 15 to respond to the petition filed by John-David Schofield and others. Mike Glass, chancellor for the Episcopal diocese, said he had just received notice that the petition had been filed with the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Fresno.

National News

Hurricane Ike Recovery "Only Half Done" in Galveston

August 26, 2009 – While Hurricane Bill sent sea waves crashing over the Northeastern coastline last weekend, disaster response director Bill Adams's mind is on different storm track—the Gulf Coast. In the coming weeks, hundreds of volunteers will begin the Fall rotation into Galveston, Texas, to continue reconstruction there after Hurricane Ike hit in 2008. "A year ago, we estimated that CRWRC would need $1 million to respond to damage caused by Ike in Southeast Louisiana and along the Texas coast," Adams said.

International News

Christian Hospitals Enter Flood Zones to Help Morakot Victims

August 23, 2009 – Christian hospitals did not lag behind other organizations in rescuing and treating Typhoon Morakot victims. Mackay Memorial Hospital Taitung branch assembled a team of 6 people to go to Chialan village in Taimali and treat residents. It also sent medical packages by courier to Pingtung Christian Hospital. Sinlau Hospital in Tainan city assembled a team on August 15th and headed to Mucha Church in Neimen Township, located in Kaohsiung County, to set up a treatment center.

A Pastoral Letter of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan on Typhoon Morakot Flooding

August 23, 2009 – On August 7th, 2009, Typhoon Morakot slammed into Taiwan and caused severe damage to property and human life. The destructive force of this typhoon on humans, properties, and environment far exceeded that of "921 Earthquake" ten years ago and the area affected is much bigger than the earthquake. Many people lost their loved ones, homes, and livelihoods instantly. Many have gone without food, water and shelter for days. We feel their loss and suffering. "If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it." (1 Corinthians 12:26)

Middle East News

CANADA: Kairos Calls Attention to Arrests of Palestinian Activists

August 24, 2009 – Kairos, an ecumenical social justice organization, is encouraging Canadians to support people who live in the Palestinian West Bank village of Bil'in who are known for their non-violent protests but have recently faced military raids and arrests. One of the protest organizers arrested was Mohammed Khatib, who visited Canada in June on a speaking tour partly sponsored by Kairos. He and a lawyer from an Israeli law firm representing the village visited Canada to talk about a new form of protest launched by villagers against the Israeli occupation of their land.

People in the News

Olav Fykse Tveit Elected WCC General Secretary

August 27, 2009 – Norwegian theologian and pastor Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, 48, was elected 7th general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Thursday 27 August during its Central Committee meeting. Tveit will be the youngest general secretary since Willem A. Visser ‘t Hooft who had led the WCC while it was in process of formation and following its founding assembly 61 years ago. "This task I really feel is the call of God. I feel that we have a lot to do together," said Tveit in his acceptance speech before the central committee. He stressed the spirit of unity that dominated the whole process and expressed hope that it will continue to reign in the common journey.

US Lawyer Appointed as New UN Liaison for Adventist World Church
Religious Liberty Expert Hopes to Secure Church a ‘Seat at the Table'

August 26, 2009, WASHINGTON D.C. – A veteran Seventh-day Adventist religious freedom advocate and lawyer will return to employment at Adventist World church headquarters to serve as the protestant denomination's liaison to the United Nations, the church's Executive Committee announced last week. James D. Standish, Esq., served as Director of Legislative Affairs at the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters for seven years. He spent the past year as executive director of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent non-partisan federal agency advising the White House and U.S. Congress.