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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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Appeal for Tolerance at Parliament of the World's Religions December 11, 2009, MELBOURNE, Australia – How can interfaith dialogue and religious freedom flourish when one religion declares that another is not a religion? Are tolerance and cooperation only possible among people who share the same doctrinal view of the world? These questions were posed by a representative of the Australian Baha'i community at one of the sessions at the Parliament of the World's Religions, which has come to an end after a week of speeches, panel discussions, devotional programs, and artistic presentations. Dr. Natalie Mobini made her remarks during a 30-minute presentation on the fifth day of the parliament, within a session on religious conflict and persecution that focused on Myanmar, Thailand, and Iran. A Palestinian Christian Call to End the Occupation December 11, 2009 – A group of Palestinian Christians representing a variety of churches and church-related organizations have issued an animated and prayerful call for an end to occupation of Palestine by Israel. The call, issued at a 11 December meeting in Bethlehem, comes at a time when many Palestinians believe they have reached a dead end. It raises questions to the international community, political leaders in the region, and the churches worldwide about their contribution to the Palestinian people's pursuit of freedom. Even in the midst of "our catastrophe" the call is described as a word of faith, hope and love. Referred to as "The Kairos Palestine Document" the call echoes a similar summons issued by South African churches in the mid-1980s at the height of repression under the apartheid regime. December 7, 2009, BANGKOK, Thailand/GENEVA – As the ancient prophets challenged the powerful who ignored the cries of the needy, so too must the church today act to dismantle systems that prevent people from getting their daily bread. This was the central message of the keynote address from Palestinian Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan at the opening of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Asia Pre-Assembly Consultation (APAC) and Asia Church Leadership Conference (ACLC), taking place from 6-9 December in Bangkok, Thailand. "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread: A Holy Call to Justice" was the title of the keynote address. "The Greatest Privilege an Individual Could Ever Have" December 9, 2009 – In a 10-minute interview available online at the website of the World Council of Churches (WCC) the Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia reflects on his six-year term as the general secretary of the WCC – the broadest and most inclusive organized expression of the ecumenical movement. Good and not so good memories, encouraging experiences, progress and challenges of the ecumenical movement are addressed by Kobia. He also speaks of his hopes and dreams for the future of Christian unity, and what being the WCC general secretary meant to him: "the greatest privilege an individual could ever have." December 8, 2009, BANGKOK, Thailand/GENEVA – Young adults in Asia faced with the disillusionment of a good education that no longer guarantees employment opportunities need spiritual guidance from the church on how to get their daily material bread and meet their spiritual needs. "What does a job mean? What does work mean?" asked Rev. Sekino Kazuhiro from the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, presenting the LWF Asian region youth response to the keynote address of the Asia Pre-Assembly Consultation (APAC), taking place 6-9 December in Bangkok, Thailand. "Today, many young people are crying of physical hunger and of spiritual hunger," said Kazuhiro, underlining the importance of gainful employment. ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod Council, Bishop Respond to Assembly Actions December 11, 2009, CHICAGO – The bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) declined to rule on the validity of resolutions of the synod council regarding the sexuality decisions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The Rev. Steven L. Ullestad wrote in a Dec. 4 e-mail to the synod that the resolutions "test the implications of the churchwide decisions for our synod." Ullestad added he will help facilitate conversation in the synod about the resolutions, leading up to the synod's next assembly in June 2010. The Northeastern Iowa Synod Council adopted the resolutions last month. Theological Education, Seedbed for Churches' Renewal December 8, 2009 – Proper theological education is of strategic importance for the future of Christianity. So is ecumenical formation for the future of the ecumenical movement. These are key convictions Dr Dietrich Werner, coordinator of the Ecumenical Theological Education programme of the World Council of Churches (ETE/WCC) expressed in a World Study Report on Theological Education released in Nairobi on 24 November. The 90-page report subtitled "Challenges and Opportunities for Theological Education in the 21st Century – Pointer for a New International Debate on Theological Education" was produced by an international study group as part of the Edinburgh 2010 process during the last 12 months. December 10, 2009 – A coalition of British Anglican organizations that supports the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Christians has expressed disappointment with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams for his "repeated intervention in the affairs" of the Episcopal Church after he issued a statement of concern within 12 hours of the Diocese of Los Angeles electing the Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool, an openly gay and partnered woman, as bishop suffragan. Ecumenism Provides Trickle-Up Effect December 8, 2009 – With church budgets shrinking and issues of justice, poverty and peace looming, mission, in many areas, is becoming the new ecumenism. When membership at Epiphany Church in Marina, California, dropped from about 200 to five in 1996 "because of a military base closing and internal politics," the Lutheran congregation collaborated with All Saints Episcopal Church of Carmel on a joint ministry. "We've since become the largest social-service facilitator in the community," said the Rev. Jon Perez, vicar of Epiphany Lutheran and Episcopal Church. "We've had a complete change of who we are; we just became a Jubilee center at the end of last year." December 8, 2009 – The new Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order (IASCUFO), while outlining its vision as being a "communicative and connection-making body," has urged "gracious restraint" from the Episcopal Church in confirming the election of an openly gay and partnered woman as bishop suffragan in the Diocese of Los Angeles. A communiqué, released at the conclusion of IASCUFO's inaugural meeting Dec. 1-8 in Canterbury, England, acknowledged that the Dec. 5 election of the Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool "remains to be confirmed or rejected by the Episcopal Church." United Methodist GCFA Seeks Special General Conference Session December 9, 2009, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The financial agency of The United Methodist Church is asking the Council of Bishops to call a special session of General Conference to address funding pensions for United States clergy and reorganization of its 40-year-old structure. The General Council on Finance and Administration approved a motion to encourage the bishops at their May 2010 meeting to call a special session before the planned April 25-May 4, 2012, General Conference in Tampa, Fla. The council also decided to work with the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits to help ensure annual conferences could pay clergy pension plans. In November, the Council of Bishops also discussed the idea of a special called session to discuss both matters. Web Site Designed to Help Marriages Stay Strong December 11, 2009 – Marriage starts looking dismal if you are gazing through lenses focused on the rich and famous. Think David Letterman or South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. The roving eyes of the Tiger (Woods, that is) make him just the latest celebrity to fall from grace. But if you step back and look at marriage through the lenses of faith, it can be a blessing, said one United Methodist pastor who has spent years developing an online marriage assessment designed to bring couples closer together. Church Retains Mission Focus Despite Hard Times December 9, 2009 – When the stock market takes a hit, so do church collection plates. Global economic woes had an impact on all levels of The United Methodist Church in 2009 and the results were budget cuts, staff layoffs, canceled meetings and postponed projects. Even the denomination's bishops voted to take a pay cut. But the denomination continued to pursue its four areas of focus – improving global health, engaging in ministry with the poor, encouraging church growth and developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world. Documentary Explores Faith of Disabled December 8, 2009, PHILADELPHIA – Gifts of humanity go beyond color, gender, ability. Houses of worship, to be true to their mission, must make places for persons with disabilities, United Methodist Bishop Peggy Johnson of the Philadelphia Area says in a television documentary. Johnson is one of several faith leaders featured in "A Place for All: Faith and Community for Persons with Disabilities." The show, produced by the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission as part of ABC's 2009 Vision and Values series, began airing Dec. 6 and will continue for eight weeks on ABC affiliates. Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity Faith and Order Communiqué December 8, 2009 – Grateful for the gracious guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order held its first meeting in Canterbury, England from 1 to 8 December 2009. The Commission has been established by the Lambeth Conference, the Primates' Meeting, and the Anglican Consultative Council. It builds on previous work done by the Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Commission, the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations, and the Windsor Continuation Group. It reports to the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion. The Commission devoted this first meeting to developing a vision that gives expression to its mandate. December 8, 2009, GENEVA – Lutheran leaders from North America are exploring what it means to be a communion of communities in a globalizing world at a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) regional seminar 1-12 December in Geneva, Switzerland. The course aims to equip North American synodical staff as "multipliers in deepening and widening ecumenical and communion relationships in their respective communities," stated LWF Regional Officer for North America Rev. Teresita C. Valeriano. "We in the North American region have a tendency to see ourselves as self-sufficient," said Rev. Paul N. Johnson, Assistant to the National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). For Rome and Moscow, It's Spring Again December 11, 2009, ROME – In a terse statement two days ago, Russia and the Church of Rome announced "the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, at the level of apostolic nunciature on the part of the Holy See, and of embassy on the part of the Russian Federation." Six days earlier, on December 3, Pope Benedict XVI had received in audience Dmitri Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation, to whom he had given a Russian-language copy of the encyclical "Caritas in Veritate," and with whom he had discussed "cultural and social topics of common interest, like the value of the family and the contribution of believers to the life of Russia." Commentary: War Touches Our Family Once More December 10, 2009 – It is Advent, the beginning of the traditional time of year when Christians are reminded of the birth of Jesus and the biblical promise of his Second Coming. It is a time of anticipation for followers of Christ. Every year, this blessed season arrives in a new context. Times change and our challenges are always evolving. Some things are getting better for the human family. Other things remain the same. Sometimes the whole Earth seems to groan under the weight of profound human woes. Llamamiento Cristiano Palestino Por El Fin De La Ocupación 11 diciembre 2009 – Un grupo de cristianos palestinos, representantes de iglesias y organizaciones relacionadas con iglesias, ha hecho un llamamiento de carácter espiritual para que se ponga fin a la ocupación de Palestina por parte de Israel. El llamamiento, hecho público en una reunión celebrada en Belén el 11 de diciembre, se produce en un momento en el que muchos palestinos creen que se ha llegado a un callejón sin salida. Se plantean en el llamamiento preguntas a la comunidad internacional, a los dirigentes políticos de la región y a las iglesias de todo el mundo sobre su contribución a la lucha por la libertad del pueblo palestino. Capítulo Juvenil De Religiones Por La Paz Es Instaurado En El Salvador 10 diciembre 2009, SAN SALVADOR – En el marco del tercer encuentro de la red interreligiosa mesoamericana de Religiones por la Paz, celebrado aquí, un grupo de jóvenes de diversas denominaciones eclesiales se reunieron con Flavio Conrado y el reverendo Sherman Herrera, del comité ejecutivo de la Red Juvenil de América Latina y el Caribe de de esa organización. El inicio de este capítulo se da con la participación de jóvenes de la Iglesia Luterana, Iglesia Reformada, Iglesia Anglicana, Iglesia Católica, del CLAI y de la Alianza Evangélica; la participación de los de la comunidad judía, islámica, budista, bahá'í e indígena aún se encuentra pendiente de confirmar. México Condenado Por Asesinatos De Mujeres En Ciudad Juárez 11 diciembre 2009, MÉXICO – La Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos dictó una sentencia histórica en el Caso González y otras ("Campo Algodonero") vs. México. Es el primer caso en el que un tribunal internacional condena a México por los centenares de asesinatos de mujeres que ocurren en Ciudad Juárez en el norte del país. En el caso, la Corte se pronunció sobre los asesinatos de Claudia Ivette González, Esmeralda Herrera Monreal y Laura Berenice Ramos Monárrez, cuyos cuerpos fueron encontrados en un predio conocido como "Campo Algodonero" junto a otras cinco víctimas. Ariel Dulitzky, Director de la Clínica de Derechos Humanos de la Escuela de Derecho de la Universidad de Texas en Austin y quien asesoró a madres de las victimas ante la Corte, explicó que el tribunal interamericano consideró que México no adoptó medidas de protección y prevención efectiva de estos crímenes, pese al pleno conocimiento que las autoridades mexicanas, tanto federales como del Estado de Chihuahua, tenían de la existencia de un patrón de violencia que dejó a centenares de mujeres y niñas asesinadas. Pastoral Juvenil Del Clai En Proceso De Renovación Y Crecimiento 9 diciembre 2009, PANAMÁ – En este último mes la pastoral juvenil del CLAI ha tenido un proceso de renovación en varias coordinaciones regionales y nacionales. Esta pastoral, organizada en cinco regiones, ha cambiado coordinación en tres regiones: Brasil, Caribe- Gran Colombia y la región Mesoamericana. Esto también se ha visto acompañado por la reorganización de cuatro equipos nacionales que recomenzaron acciones en este año: Costa Rica, Venezuela, Chile y Puerto Rico; completando de esta manera el trabajo organizado de la pastoral en 19 países e involucrando directamente en el trabajo de los equipos juveniles a más de 170 jóvenes. Ordenan a La Primera Obispa Homosexual De La Historia 10 diciembre 2009, SUECIA – Eva Brunne es una pastora luterana que vive con otra mujer y con el hijo de ambas de 3 años. El domingo, la Iglesia de Suecia la consagró obispa en presencia de los Reyes suecos. La Iglesia de Suecia se ha convertido en una de las más modernas y liberales del mundo. Si hace unas semanas autorizó el matrimonio religioso entre los homosexuales, el domingo dio un nuevo paso al nombrar a la primera obispa lesbiana de la historia. Las Iglesias Abogan Por Los Derechos De Las Minorías Religiosas En Turquía 8 diciembre 2009 – Una delegación ecuménica internacional que visitó Turquía a finales de noviembre alentó a las autoridades del país a mejorar la situación de las minorías religiosas. El ejercicio de la libertad religiosa, el derecho a la educación religiosa y el estatus legal de las iglesias, incluidas las cuestiones relativas a la propiedad, fueron algunos de los tema tratados. Churches Advocate for Religious Minorities' Rights in Turkey December 8, 2009 – An international ecumenical delegation visiting Turkey at the end of November has encouraged the country's authorities to improve the situation of religious minorities. The exercise of religious freedom, the legal status of churches, including property issues, and the right to religious education were on the agenda. The five-member delegation representing the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) visited the Muslim-majority Republic of Turkey on 23-27 November. In Istanbul, the delegation met with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, with Archbishop Aram Atesian from the Armenian Patriarchate, and with representatives of the Syrian Orthodox community. It also met representatives of the Jewish community. Bishops Call for Passage of State ‘Marriage-Equality' Bill December 8, 2009, NEWARK, New Jersey – Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey Bishop George Councell, Episcopal Diocese of Newark Bishop Mark Beckwith and other Episcopalians joined more than 1,000 others in Trenton Dec. 7 to urge the New Jersey state Senate to pass a marriage equality bill. Some of those supporters packed a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room for what turned out to be more than seven hours of often-emotional testimony about whether to advance the bill to the full Senate. December 10, 2009 BANGKOK, Thailand/GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches in Asia concluded their preparatory meeting for the forthcoming LWF Eleventh Assembly with an appeal to the global Lutheran communion to strengthen advocacy on responsible stewardship over God-given resources. "Hunger in Asia is not the result of insufficient food production in the region but rather human-made crises" such as corruption, unjust distribution, militarization, colonialism, occupation and overwhelming national debt among others, participants in the Asia Pre-Assembly Consultation (APAC) said in a final message. December 8, 2009 BANGKOK, Thailand/GENEVA – Women delegates attending the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Asian region Pre-Assembly Consultation (APAC) commended the LWF's far-reaching advocacy for marginalized groups in church and society, but called for urgent changes to structures and traditions that further perpetuate exclusion. "Making women visible is the first step in reducing their vulnerability," said Ms Dora R. Hemalatha, when she presented the women's perspectives on the keynote address by LWF vice president Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan. December 10, 2009 BANGKOK, Thailand/GENEVA – Diakonia is the gospel in action. Diapraxis is interfaith diakonia. But, as participants at the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Asia Pre-Assembly Consultation (APAC) and Asia Church Leadership Conference (ACLC) deliberated further, they agreed these expressions of church mission encompassed much more. Members of a group discussion on "Diakonia as Reaction to Exclusion" at the 6-9 December regional LWF meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, concluded that diakonia is service that reconciles, empowers and accompanies. Diakonia, they agreed, is prophetic when it announces an alternative way of being or denounces injustice in defense of marginalized people. Human Rights Day in Germany Puts Spotlight on Iran December 9, 2009, LANGENHAIN, Germany – Youth from a drama troupe joined with local dignitaries this week to address themes of exclusion and prejudice as they commemorated Human Rights Day with the Baha'i community of Germany. The program took place at the National Baha'i Center on the grounds of the European Baha'i House of Worship, with more than 200 people in attendance. The performance by the People's Theater, a youth project in the city of Offenbach, took a look at relationships between native Germans and immigrants, while other parts of the program focused on the situation of the Baha'is in Iran, especially a group of some 50 young people in Shiraz who are being punished for organizing activities for underprivileged children. December 9, 2009 BANGKOK, Thailand/GENEVA – Representatives of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches in Asia are asking the LWF, its ecumenical and interfaith partners to provide and share appropriate resources and expertise to enable churches respond effectively to the issue of climate change. Whether it is catastrophic flooding or drought, deforestation or mining, the social, economic and political problems emanating from climate change are interrelated, stated the report of a group discussion on this topic during the Asia Pre-Assembly Consultation (APAC), taking place 6-9 December in Bangkok, Thailand. ENGLAND: Copenhagen Receives Support from Thousands of Online Visitors December 10, 2009 – Tens of thousands of people have taken up the challenge to ‘tread gently' in step with the U.N. Climate Change talks at Copenhagen by visiting the Church of England's online Advent calendar in the 10 days since it opened at www.whywearewaiting.com. Current figures stand at more than 30,000 viewings. "I'm delighted that so many people are logging on to hear the stories and take up the challenges to ‘tread gently' this Advent," Bishop John Pritchard of Oxford said. INDIA: Churches Reject Homophobia, Call for In-Depth Theological Study on Human Sexuality December 9, 2009 – A group of Christians in India has rejected attitudes of homophobia and discrimination against sexual minorities, while calling for an in-depth theological study on human sexuality. The theological roundtable on the churches' response to human sexuality, held Dec. 5-6 in Kolkata, included bishops, church leaders, theological educators, research scholars, professional counselors, lawyers, and activists with different sexual orientations, according to a release sent from the group to Indian Christian communities at the conclusion of the meeting. Lutheran Bishop, Palestinian Christians, Call for End to Israeli Occupation December 11, 2009, CHICAGO – At least 16 Palestinian Christians, including a Lutheran bishop, prepared and released Dec. 11 a detailed document calling for an end to the occupation of Palestine by Israel. The Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Jerusalem, is one of the authors and signers of a document commonly known as "The Kairos Palestine Document." Younan explained previously that in 2007, the World Council of Churches, Geneva, initiated the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF). December 5, 2009 – The 114th annual convention of the Diocese of Los Angeles made history for the second time in as many days on Dec. 5, electing an openly gay candidate, the Rev. Mary Douglas Glasspool, as suffragan bishop. A day earlier, some 680 delegates attending "Faith and Our Future" at the Riverside Convention Center, elected the Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce, 53, rector of St. Clements by-the-Sea Church in San Clemente, California, in the Los Angeles diocese, as their first woman bishop. |
