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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
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Lutheran Bishops Advocate for Rights of Immigrants and Refugees October 30, 2009, WASHINGTON – Protecting children and keeping immigrant families together were repeated concerns raised by a committee of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) bishops discussing issues of immigration. The group met with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) staff and others to discuss the status of immigration reform and refugee protection services, and visited with members of Congress here Oct. 28-29. The Rev. H. Julian Gordy, bishop, ELCA Southeastern Synod, Atlanta, said, "We would like comprehensive immigration reform right now. Faith Leaders – Tackling Climate Change Is a "Moral Imperative" October 30, 2009 – The Archbishop of Canterbury hosted a meeting of faith leaders and faith-based and community organisations at Lambeth Palace to discuss the response of faith communities to the environmental crisis. With 40 days to go before the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit the participants have pledged to work together to raise awareness about the effects of ‘catastrophic climate change' on the world's poor and to take whatever action they can to "to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practice." October 27, 2009, GENEVA – Representatives of international and faith-based relief organizations attending the Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) emphasized that wide-spread public awareness was necessary in order to tackle the problems of forced labor and human trafficking. "Upholding Human Dignity: Confronting Human Trafficking," is the theme of the 22 to 27 October meeting of the LWF governing body, attended by around 165 participants at Chavannes-de-Bogis near Geneva, Switzerland. Mr Roger Plant, head of the Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour at the International Labour Organization ((ILO), called for concrete legislative measures and stricter enforcement of the existing laws of individual countries. Faith Leaders – Tackling Climate Change Is a "Moral Imperative" October 30, 2009, The Archbishop of Canterbury hosted a meeting of faith leaders and faith-based and community organisations at Lambeth Palace to discuss the response of faith communities to the environmental crisis. With 40 days to go before the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit the participants have pledged to work together to raise awareness about the effects of ‘catastrophic climate change' on the world's poor and to take whatever action they can to "to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practice." October 26, 2009, GENEVA – The newly elected General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Rev. Martin Junge, says his major priorities include enhancing the quality of relationships among churches in the Lutheran communion and embarking on a participatory planning process to ensure the organization's sustainability. The Council elected the Chilean theologian in a closed session today in the context of its 22-27 October meeting at Chavannes-de-Bogis, near Geneva, Switzerland. Junge received 37 votes in favor and five against in the election for which a search committee had proposed him as the sole candidate for election. On Web: Blue Ribbon Task Force Report October 29, 2009, The final report of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance is available on the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Web site at www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture. The report, titled "Congregations Walking in Mission," was delivered to the Office of the President before the Oct. 15 deadline and then underwent editing prior to publication and posting to the site. The 50-page report contains two recommendations for clarifying confessional and congregational mission, and an additional 19 recommendations on the relationships between congregations and districts, including consideration of the number of districts; relationships between congregations and the national Synod, including the number of boards and commissions and national staff; congregational representation at district and national conventions; and frequency and function of district and national conventions. ELCA Vice President Addresses Dissatisfaction with Assembly Decisions October 26, 2009, CHICAGO – Carlos Peña, vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), wrote an Oct. 23 letter to the church's 4.6 million members, asking them to consider actions of the ELCA's 2009 Churchwide Assembly "as a catalyst to further strengthen our church and our relationships with each other." Peña related his experiences of devastation after Hurricane Ike struck his hometown of Galveston, Texas, in September 2008. "One year later, I can see the benefits of this experience," he wrote. WCC Congratulates LWF General Secretary-Elect October 26, 2009 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has congratulated Rev. Martin Junge on his election as general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Expressing "joy and encouragement" at the election of the Chilean theologian to the LWF's chief executive post, Kobia called him a "champion of lively partnerships in the quest for Christian unity and the building of human community." October 30, 2009, GENEVA - Statistics about increasing women's ordination in the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches are encouraging. However, "the shining exterior of inclusion and equality masks a reality of denial, marginalization and despair," representatives from LWF member churches heard at the ongoing Women's Pre-Assembly (WPA) at Bogis-Bossey, near Geneva, Switzerland. "More women are being ordained, the percentage of women studying theology has increased and women are usually represented 'up front' on important occasions and on committees," said Indian biblical scholar, Dr Monica Melanchthon in her presentation to around 50 participants attending the 27-31 October WPA. . October 24, 2009, GENEVA – The adverse effects of the global economic crisis on some of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches and their institutions, threaten not only the continuation of crucial support to needy community members, but the very survival of these organizations. "In some cases, pastors and staff have not been paid; diaconal activities have been significantly reduced; nursing homes for the elderly and children are facing imminent closure ... and; pension funds have dwindled," said LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko. New Blog Lifts up Coverage of Local Churches, Justice Concerns September 26, 2007 United Church News has launched a new interactive blog to lift up news about local churches and invite conversation about justice issues. The Rev. Chuck Currie, a veteran blogger and pastor of Parkrose Community UCC in Portland, Ore., will oversee development of United Church News' blog in order to amplify secular news about UCC congregations as well as issues of concern to church members. "For many in the UCC, the name ‘Chuck Currie' was one of the first progressive voices of faith they encountered in the blogosphere," said the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, editor of United Church News and the UCC's acting communications director. October 30, 2009, GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council concluded its 22-27 October meeting with optimism for a strengthened communion, showing that potentially dividing issues could be resolved by reconciliation and not fragmentation. This was how LWF President Bishop Mark S. Hanson described the outcome of the six-day meeting during which the Council elected the next LWF general secretary; adopted a statement on reconciliation with the Mennonites for further action by the Eleventh Assembly; and agreed to continue reflection on marriage, family and human sexuality issues, including discussion at pre-Assembly gatherings. Rainer Schmidt Redefines "Disability," Clarifies "Healing" October 25, 2009 – After much anticipation, Paralympic table tennis gold-medalist and German pastor Rainer Schmidt finally arrived to Taipei on October 15 to host a series of seminars across Taiwan. Schmidt's tour in Taiwan included speaking engagements, interviews, and table tennis tournaments. Despite a hectic schedule and long hours spent on the road between seminars, Schmidt never showed signs of tiredness and remained cheerful and witty wherever he went. October 29, 2009, NEW YORK – To commemorate the upcoming U.S. visit of the spiritual leader of the Orthodox church, the American Bible Society will highlight an exhibition of sacred texts and icons celebrating the history of the Orthodox tradition that was organized by the Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA) opening on Oct. 30 and continuing through Jan. 24, 2010. For more than seven years, the American Bible Society has worked alongside the Orthodox Church, publishing Bible literature consistent with its faith and doctrine, including: The Orthodox Children's Bible Reader, a collection of Bible stories for children with Byzantine illustrations, which has been published in Greek, English and many other languages. October 26, 2009, GENEVA – During Sunday morning worship on 25 October, the President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Bishop Mark S. Hanson challenged Lutheran church representatives from around the world to tell the story of "the truth that sets free" as they lead the organization into the future. "The truth that makes you free isn't some idea you have to discover [nor] some religious proposition to which you must give a cent or some personal decision you must make," Hanson told the LWF Council members in his Sunday morning sermon at the chapel of the Ecumenical Center where the LWF Secretariat is located. ELCA Wittenberg Center Staff Ends Service Nov. 30, Center's Future Unclear October 29, 2009, CHICAGO – The directors of the Wittenberg Center of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will end their service in Germany Nov. 30, the result of "harsh budget realities," according to the Rev. Robert O. Smith, ELCA Global Mission. Smith made the comment in an Oct. 19 letter sent to ELCA church companions and other partners in Germany. The departures of the Rev. Stephen E. and Dr. Jean Godsall-Myers leave the future of the center uncertain, said Smith, continental desk director for Europe and Middle East. Some ELCA Congregations Vote to Leave or Redirect Funds, Find It's Not Easy October 29, 2009, CHICAGO – Throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), leaders and members have responded in a variety of ways to changes in the church's ministry polices, a decision made by voting members of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Some members agreed with the decision. Some were opposed. Some weren't sure how to react. Since the assembly, some ELCA congregations have taken votes to leave the denomination or redirect funds away from the ELCA. Leaders and members in a few such congregations report it's not always easy to make such choices, and there can be unintended consequences. ELCA Presiding Bishop Urges Commitment to Strong LWF October 25, 2009, GENEVA, Switzerland – In a report highlighting changing contexts of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and its respective member churches, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, LWF president, urged the organization's council to make decisions that reflect commitment to "a sustainable and strong LWF going into the future." Hanson is also presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In a wide-ranging report to the council Oct. 23, Hanson noted that, while the LWF had exercised responsible fiduciary leadership despite the global economy and serious changes in the financial resources of member churches, the organization faces greater challenges currently and in the future. UCNews Launches New Editorial Features October 26, 2009 – In an effort to continue the presentation of challenging topics and stimulating conversation, United Church News has inaugurated a series of new editorial features to appear on its news portal. Sixteen contributors from around the UCC will make contributions to the "Opinion / Editorial" section of the site, one being added each week. The list of authors includes the Collegium, pastors in various settings, Conference ministers and lay people. "The news portal lets us rapidly present opinion pieces we didn't have room for in the printed edition of UCNews," says the Rev. Gregg Brekke, UCNews editor. "I asked 16 people to contribute on a rotating basis – I'm pleased they all said ‘yes.'" PITTSBURGH: Group Plans to Appeal Diocesan Property Ruling October 29, 2009 – The organization headed by former bishop Robert Duncan that claims to have withdrawn from the Episcopal Church in 2008 said October 29 that it will appeal a court ruling that said it cannot continue to hold any assets of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. "Left uncontested, the award of all diocesan assets to the minority party, a group that comprises only a third of the parishes that were a part of our diocese when we withdrew from the Episcopal Church, would establish a precedent that we believe the minority would use to take steps to seize all the assets of all our local parishes," the group said in a statement. New Web Site Expands Audience for Misconduct Issues October 26, 2009, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – An updated sexual ethics Web site for The United Methodist Church will offer resources for those accused of sexual misconduct in addition to information for victims and church leaders. The new site, at www.umsexualethics.org, will debut Nov. 2. The accused and those who may be confused about what constitutes inappropriate behavior are "a new intended audience" for the site, explained the Rev. Darryl Stephens, an executive with the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women in Chicago. Study Highlights Lack of Young Clergy October 30, 2009, CHICAGO – Kerry Bart's faith blossomed in his mid-20s. Two years into a career as a college chemistry teacher in Iowa, he grew curious about being a pastor. A friend invited him to tour a Pennsylvania seminary. The visit affirmed his sense of calling. His ordination came four years ago. "You don't do much faith sharing in a science department," said Bart, 37, an elder at Spring City United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania. "The invitation to visit a seminary was a catalyst for me to becoming a pastor." Anglican, Roman Catholic Dialogue in the U.S. Continues October 30, 2009 – Immigration reform, the papal encyclical "Veritatis Splendor" and the Vatican's invitation to Anglicans topped the discussion at the 66th meeting of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Theological Consultation in the United States (ARC-USA) Oct. 26-27, according to an Oct. 30 press release. The meeting was the third such meeting in a round of the dialogue focused on the theme "Ecclesiology and Moral Discernment: Common Ground and Divergences," and was held at the Washington Retreat House in Washington, D.C. Obispos Africanos Critican La Economía Mundial Y La Corrupción Política Interna 30 octubre 2009, ROMA, Italia – El Sínodo de los Obispos de África celebrado en Roma, el pasado viernes, aprobó por aclamaciones un mensaje al pueblo de Dios. En él, se dirigen a la Iglesia universal, a la Católica Romana, a la comunidad internacional y a sus jóvenes y líderes políticos. Bajo la exhortación de "¡África, levántate!," el extenso documento expresa que "Mientras estamos a punto de dispersarnos hacia los diversos lugares de nuestra misión, con renovado compromiso y valentía, dirigimos este mensaje a toda la Iglesia, familia de Dios, y, de forma especial, a la Iglesia en África: a nuestros hermanos obispos, en cuyo nombre estamos aquí; a los sacerdotes, diáconos y religiosos, a todos los fieles laicos y a todos a quienes Dios abrirá el corazón para escuchar nuestras palabras." Presbiterianos Condenan El Acuerdo Brasil-Vaticano 30 octubre 2009, BRASIL – La Iglesia Presbiteriana del Brasil (IPB) se manifestó contra la aprobación del Acuerdo Brasil-Vaticano por herir la laicidad del Estado brasileño, cercenar la libertad religiosa y asegurar privilegios. Emitido por el Supremo Concilio, el documento critica también la discriminación religiosa, el desprecio por los demás credos y por la ciudadanía de ateos y agnósticos. Para los presbiterianos, el Acuerdo firmado entre la República Federativa del Brasil y la Santa Sede, en 13 de noviembre de 2008, atenta contra la laicidad del Estado y cercena la libertad religiosa, al manifestar "preferencia y conceder privilegios" a una institución religiosa. Dirigentes De Iglesias Piden Una Confederación Intercoreana Antes De La Reunificación 27 octubre 2009 – Casi 140 dirigentes de iglesias de todo el mundo, entre ellos, miembros de iglesias de Corea del Norte y del Sur, han pedido la formación de una confederación intercoreana incluso antes de que pueda tener lugar la reunificación completa de Corea. Se llegó a este acuerdo como conclusión de una reunión de tres días celebrada en Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, en la que los líderes cristianos expresaron su esperanza inquebrantable de paz y reconciliación entre los coreanos, a pesar de las duras realidades de la actual división de la península de Corea. FUMEC ALC Busca Nuevos Caminos De Compromiso Ecuménico 29 octubre 2009, BARRANQUILLA, Colombia – La mesa directiva de la Federación Universal de Movimientos de Estudiantes Cristianos América Latina y El Caribe, FUMEC ALC, realizó su reunión ejecutiva del 23 al 25 de octubre, en Barranquilla, para evaluar el proceso y la situación del movimiento, la instalación de su Secretario Regional, recientemente elegido, e iniciar el desarrollo de su plan estratégico. La FUMEC ALC que está integrado por 14 movimientos, en un número similar de países, se encuentra en un proceso de transición desde la Asamblea Regional realizada en Matanzas, Cuba, en julio del 2008, con la renovación de la Mesa Directiva y la elección de un nuevo secretario Regional. Mujeres Del CLAI Plantean a Las Iglesias Promover Los Derechos Humanos 28 octubre 2009, LIMA, Perú – La Pastoral de la Mujer y Justicia de Género (PMJG) del Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (CLAI) instó a las iglesias del continente a asumir, desde la perspectiva del evangelio, la promoción de los derechos humanos, en especial de los de las mujeres. Reunidas en Lima del 3 al 7 de octubre, las integrantes de la PMJG plantean que las iglesias se preocupen por la defensa de los derechos de las mujeres, "especialmente en el tema de la violencia doméstica, VIH-SIDA y discapacidad, para que el Reino de Dios siga extendiéndose en nuestra tierra." Pastores Reflexionan Sobre La Reforma En Medio De La Crisis Ética 29 octubre 2009, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – El pastor menonita y secretario del Centro Inter-eclesial de Estudios Teológicos y Sociales, reverendo Jairo Arce, llamó a la reflexión, en medio de la jornada conmemorativa de la Reforma Protestante, y se preguntó "qué iglesia somos en estos tiempos de globalización." "Creo que hasta la fecha no hemos logrado la unidad y más bien, cada día, vemos el surgimiento de más denominaciones, algunas de ellas sin identidad," resaltó. Un Pastor Latinoamericano Es El Nuevo Secretario General De La Federación Luterana Mundial 26 octubre 2009, GINEBRA, Suiza – La Federación Luterana Mundial ha elegido a un pastor chileno, el Rev. Martin Junge, como nuevo secretario general de esa agrupación que reúne a más de 68 millones de cristianos luteranos. La elección fue anunciada después de una sesión a puerta cerrada del órgano rector de la FLM, su Consejo, que tuvo lugar cerca de Ginebra. Junge es el sucesor del reverendo Ishmael Noko, un teólogo de Zimbabwe, que se convirtió en secretario general de la Federación Luterana en 1994, y fue reelegido para un segundo mandato en 2004. Tribunal Constitucional Peruano Prohíbe Distribución Gratuita Del AOE 27 octubre 2009, LIMA, Perú – Días después de la aprobación preliminar de los abortos terapéutico y eugenésico, por parte de la Comisión Revisora del Código Penal, el Tribunal Constitucional (TC) declaró ilegal la distribución gratuita del Anticonceptivo Oral de Emergencia (AOE), mas conocido como la "píldora del día siguiente." Esta decisión ha sido controvertida, puesto que contradice una norma dictada por el mismo Tribunal en el año 2006, cuando se aprobó que la píldora sea distribuida a todo el público, autorizando al Ministerio de Salud (Minsa) para esta acción. PAKISTAN: Blasphemy Law Increases Intolerance, Says Church October 27, 2009, ISLAMABAD – The Church of Pakistan has called on the government in Islamabad to repeal a "maliciously abused" blasphemy law and to increase accountability in the judicial system, saying these steps are necessary to defuse tensions simmering in the country. "It is one of those laws which is not only abused and misused, but even the government and security forces feel threatened and do not have the desire to resolve a crisis when it emerges," said Bishop Samuel Azariah, moderator of the Church of Pakistan, an ecumenical church established in 1970 through a union of Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians. The law in contention imposes the death sentence on a person found desecrating Islam's holy book, the Quran, and the church says the law increases violence and intolerance against religious minorities. Fordham University Bestows Highest Honor on Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew October 28, 2009, NEW YORK – Fordham Univversity conferred yesterday its highest honor, the Honorary Doctorate of Laws, to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew "for his remarkable service to the world community and for the principles that he continues to uphold." The solemn and historic conferral ceremony was held in the University Church at the Rose Hill Campus in Bronx, NY and was attended by many hundreds of people, University officials and trustees, professors and students, clergy of the Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox Churches, honored guests and hundreds of faithful. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Presides over Prayer Service for the UN Community October 27, 2009, NEW YORK – Last evening, Monday, October 26, His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Ninth Annual Orthodox Prayer Service for the United Nations Community, at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral, the traditional site when the service is hosted by an Eastern Orthodox Church. New York Bishops Protest Proposed Education Cuts October 30, 2009, NEW YORK – Eight New York bishops sent a letter to the state's Governor David Patterson Oct. 29 protesting proposed budget cuts to education. In the letter, the bishops, representing the state's six Episcopal dioceses, gave four reasons among their concerns for opposing the cuts: Hate Crimes Legislation Becomes Law October 28, 2009 – President Barack Obama signed today the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act, which strengthens existing U.S. laws by expanding federal hate crime protection to cases where the victim was targeted because of their sexual orientation, gender, disability or gender identity. UCC General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black affirmed the similar tone between this legislation and pronouncements of the UCC's General Synod. Ecumenical Leaders Bring Concerns about Honduras to Washington October 29, 2009 – An international ecumenical delegation has urged stronger action against human rights abuses in Honduras at a meeting with the general secretary of the Organization of American States (OAS) and representatives of the U.S. State Department in Washington, 22-23 October. "The churches' concern is to overcome social polarization and violence in order to achieve reconciliation," said Noemi Madrid de Espinoza, president of the Theological Community of Honduras and a member of the delegation. "For that to happen a just political solution based on the respect for human rights is needed," added Espinoza, who is vice-moderator of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches. Government Offers Two Programs to Reduce Student Debt October 30, 2009 – If you're a pastor, teacher, or other professional church worker who is paying off federal student loans, you might benefit from two debt-reduction programs now offered by the U.S. Department of Education. For those who qualify, the programs can drastically lower monthly payments on student loans, and forgive the unpaid remainder after 10 years of service to a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, which may include churches, church-sponsored schools, or other entities. Special Convention Distances Diocese from Episcopal Church October 24, 2009, SOUTH CAROLINA – A majority of delegates attending a special convention of the Charleston-based Diocese of South Carolina voted October 24 to distance themselves from the Episcopal Church and to seek "missional relationships with orthodox congregations isolated across North America." About 300 Episcopalians gathered at Christ Church in Mt. Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston, approved four of five measures that, among other things, declared General Convention Resolutions D025 and C056 "as null and void." The two resolutions focused on human sexuality and reaffirmed the Episcopal Church's commitment to the Anglican Communion. UCC's Guess Responds to Misleading American Spectator Blog Posts October 28, 2009 – The following is a response from the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, executive director of the United Church of Christ's Office of Communication, Inc., to misleading and untruthful articles that have appeared this past week at The American Spectator about the UCC and the So We Might See interfaith media justice coalition: A misleading series of online stories at The American Spectator has sought to attack efforts of the So We Might See Coalition to focus public attention on anti-immigrant hate speech. Our coalition partners have worked in good faith with a shared belief that people of diverse faiths oppose the escalating and vitriolic attacks on immigrants, even as we also support freedom of speech. Wyoming Bishop Bruce Caldwell Witnesses Obama Signing Hate Crime Legislation into Law October 29, 2009 – President Barack Obama signed hate crime legislation – that for the first time includes gender and sexual orientation provisions – into law Oct. 28 during a ceremony at the White House attended by Diocese of Wyoming Bishop Bruce Caldwell. "To all the activists, all the organizers, all the people who helped make this day happen, thank you for your years of advocacy and activism, pushing and protesting that made this victory possible," said Obama during the ceremony. Evangelical Church in Central Germany Joins LWF October 27, 2009, GENEVA – The Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) extended full LWF membership to the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM). The EKM came into existence in January 2009 as the result of a merger between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thuringia (ELKT) and the Evangelical Church of the Church Province of Saxony, becoming the legal successor to both churches. The EKM has around 910,000 members. October 29, 2009, GENEVA – Women attending the first preparatory conference for the July 2010 Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) have called for more strategic effort to ensure gender equity in the organization's leadership and sensitivity to issues that affect women. LWF member church representatives at the 27-31 October Women's Pre-Assembly (WPA) commended the LWF for providing different forums where women and men could share experiences and learn from the diverse contexts of the Lutheran communion. Baha'is Join Global Plan for "Generational Change" on Climate Change October 27, 2009, NEW YORK – The Baha'i International Community today announced that it has become a partner in a United Nations-sponsored program to promote "generational change" to address climate change and environmental sustainability. The program, which is co-sponsored by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), seeks to promote lifestyle changes that will help slow global warming and other environmental problems during a seven-year period from 2010 to 2017. IRAQ: St. George's Anglican Church Damaged in Deadly Bomb Attack October 27, 2009 – Two major suicide bomb attacks in Baghdad on Sunday, Oct. 25, caused serious damage to St. George's Anglican Church and left at least 150 dead and more than 600 injured on the streets outside. When the coordinated car bombs exploded in downtown Baghdad at 10:30 a.m. the church was empty. "If the bomb had been just a few hours later, the glass from the windows would have ripped through the congregation causing terrible human damage," said the Rev. Canon Andrew White, vicar of St. George's, the only Anglican church in Iraq. Bishop Margot Kaessmann to Lead German Protestants October 28, 2009, CHICAGO – The Rev. Margot Kaessmann, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hannover, was elected Oct. 28 to chair the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). Kaessmann, 51, is the first woman has become the highest representative of 25 million German Protestants. She is also the youngest chairperson of the EKD council. Kaessmann was elected to a six-year term by the EKD's highest governing body, its synod, meeting in Ulm, Germany. October 26, 2009, GENEVA – On Monday, 26 October 2009, Chilean pastor Martin Junge was elected as the eighth General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) for a seven-year term. The election took place in closed session. The Council is holding its 22-27 October meeting at Chavannes-de-Bogis, near Geneva, Switzerland. With this election, Junge becomes the first representative from the Latin America and Caribbean region to hold the highest position at the LWF Secretariat. Message Tenth Anniversary of the Election of Karekin II October 27, 2009, VATICAN CITY – Today, the Pope's message to His Holiness Karekin II on the tenth anniversary of his election and enthronement as Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians was made public. "I know of your personal commitment to dialogue, cooperation and friendship between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church," the Holy Father writes, "clearly expressed by the various meetings that have taken place recently between Your Holiness and the Successor of Peter. I pray that the good relations that have been established between us may continue to grow in the years ahead." |
