Front Page

Baptist Church-State Group Says Stevens Served Admirably on the Court
BJC Hopes His Successor Continues His Legacy of Church-State Separation,
But Improves on His Record Regarding Free Exercise of Religion

April 9, 2010, WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court will lose a friend of church-state separation when Associate Justice John Paul Stevens leaves the bench at the end of this term, according to the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. But, the Baptist group hopes his successor will be more willing to accommodate the free exercise of religion. "Justice Stevens has been a friend of church-state separation," said Baptist Joint Committee Executive Director J. Brent Walker. "His Establishment Clause jurisprudence has always been strong, having stood uniformly against government-sponsored religious speech and government endorsement of religion." "However, his willingness to require – or sometimes even to permit – the accommodation of religion under the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause has been lacking," Walker continued.

Archbishop of Canterbury – Cross Is a Challenge to the World

April 4, 2010 – The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has used his Easter sermon to urge Christians to keep a proper sense of proportion when they feel they are experiencing opposition to their faith and remember both the physical suffering of Christian minorities in other countries and call to mind what exactly the Cross stands for in their faith. In his Easter sermon delivered at Canterbury Cathedral he says that ‘bureaucratic silliness' over displaying religious symbols should not be mistaken for physical persecution: ‘It is not the case that Christians are at risk of their lives or liberties in this country simply for being Christians.

Russia and United States "Nuclear Transparency" Commended by WCC

April 8, 2010 – "The new US-Russia nuclear arms reduction treaty signed today in Prague is news that the World Council of Churches has awaited for a long time: the achievement of a nuclear weapons agreement between the two most heavily armed nations in the world," WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said, commenting on the signing of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US President Barack Obama in Prague, 8 April 2010. Tveit stressed that "the most promising element of their success is in also agreeing to be more open about their respective nuclear arsenals. If the world's most powerful states practice new levels of nuclear transparency and verification, as we hope they will, they will be able to bring new leadership and hope to bear on a range of nuclear arms problems."

Episcopal Church Urges Census Participation

April 8, 2010 – As an official 2010 U.S. Census partner, the Episcopal Church urges citizens to stand up and be counted by completing the census form. Every 10 years, in accordance with the Constitution, the Census Bureau counts every person living in the United States and its territories. Households have until April 16 to mail back their form. After the deadline, census workers visit households that haven't responded. Answers to the questions listed on the census form determine the distribution of $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide.

Call to Action Seeks to Increase Church Vitality

April 9, 2010, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Many United Methodists would agree there are gaps between where the church is and where it wants to be. A decline in membership in the United States and growing fiscal problems represent two of many such gaps. The 12-member Call to Action Committee, meeting April 6-8 in Nashville, set plans to gather data from across the United States to help the church discover ways to bridge these gaps.

General News

Nominations Announced for President, Vice-Presidents

April 8, 2010 – The names of nominees for Synod president and first through fifth vice-presidents who will be on the ballots for election at this summer's Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod convention have been announced. Synod Secretary Dr. Raymond Hartwig released the names April 7. The names on the ballots – five each for president and first vice-president, and 20 for second through fifth vice-presidents – are of those who received the most nominations from LCMS congregations, and who agreed to stand for election. All must be ordained ministers.

Philippines: Crucifixion Ritual Unnecessary Say Religious Leaders

April 7, 2010 – In the Philippines, where real-life crucifixion re-enactments have become both a holy ritual and a tourist attraction, Roman Catholic and Protestant church leaders have urged people to live out their faith beyond the rituals and penitence of Lent and Holy Week. "If Jesus were watching those who self-flagellate or who get themselves crucified, he would be asking himself, ‘Why would they need to do all these things when I have already sacrificed myself, and died for the world and all humankind?'" the Rev. Rex Reyes, secretary general of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, told Ecumenical News International.

Tanzanian Bishop, African Churches Comment on ELCA Assembly Decisions

April 7, 2010, CHICAGO – The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) said in an Easter sermon that the ELCT does not support certain decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) nor the Church of Sweden's decision to allow its clergy to conduct same-gender marriages. The ELCA assembly, held this past August in Minneapolis, approved proposals that would create the possibility for Lutherans in committed, publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA clergy and professional lay leaders.

Pastor Brings New Life to Church

April 6, 2010, SEDGWICK, Ark. – Two years ago, Sedgwick United Methodist Church was close to death. Regular worship attendance had dwindled to six people, and the congregation had little hope for growth in this 100-resident farming community about 18 miles north of Jonesboro. Many family farms in the once bustling community lie fallow. Stores have closed, and vacant houses are boarded up.

Pastors Create Model for Struggling Churches

April 8, 2010 – Many congregations find themselves struggling amid economically challenging times when membership rolls are shrinking, financial resources are dwindling, and operating costs are rising. To further complicate the problem, the neighborhoods surrounding many churches have evolved, becoming increasingly diverse. The Rev. Phil Maynard, director of the Florida Conference Center for Congregational Excellence, and the Rev. Dan Campbell, chief executive officer of Joining Hands Community Mission in Holiday, hope to offer a new model for doing ministry in challenging circumstances like these.

Editorial Page

Editorial: The Impact of Easter in Our Lives

April 4, 2010 – Nobody really knows what transpired inside the tomb on that first Easter Sunday, but everybody agrees that Jesus' resurrection not only conquered death and Satan's power over us, but also transformed our lives. When Jesus rose from the dead, he was no longer bound by space and time. Not only could he walk through locked doors, he could also overcome our fear and our hopelessness with his kindness and forgiveness. The disciples who fled when Jesus was arrested because they were so frightened were transformed when they met their resurrected Lord. Henceforth, they would become different men and the world would come to know them for their courage and fearlessness whenever and wherever they preached the gospel.

Spanish News

Crean Asociación De Teología Y Pastoral De Puerto Rico

8 abril 2010, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Del diálogo de temas teológicos y pastorales, auspiciados por el CLAI recientemente, surgió la Asociación de Teología y Pastoral de Puerto Rico que, según el documento resultante, "se constituye en el ámbito de la teología protestante, con sentido de Iglesia y apertura ecuménica, al servicio de la comunión de sus integrantes y de todo el Pueblo de Dios."

Representante De Diakonía-suecia Da Sus Impresiones Tras Su Visita Al País

5 abril 2010, LA HABANA, Cuba – "Me parece muy importante el trabajo que realiza el Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba por fortalecer un ecumenismo de compromiso social, a través de sus diversas acciones," afirmó Magnus Hallbater, Oficial Regional para el Perú y Cuba de la agencia de inspiración cristiana Diakonía-Suecia, quien acaba de visitar el país.

El CMI Elogia La "Transparencia Nuclear" De Rusia Y Estados Unidos

8 abril 2010 – "El nuevo tratado de reducción de las armas nucleares firmado hoy en Praga entre Estados Unidos y Rusia es la noticia que el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias ha esperado durante mucho tiempo: la consecución de un acuerdo sobre las armas nucleares entre las dos naciones más fuertemente armadas del mundo," dijo el secretario general del CMI, el pastor Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, comentando la firma del Nuevo Tratado de Reducción de Armas Estratégicas (Nuevo START) por el Presidente Ruso, Dmitry Medvedev y el Presidente de los Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, en Praga, el 8 de abril de 2010.

Iglesias Deben Dar La Cara Por Los Migrantes En Estados Unidos Dice Teólogo Jesuita

9 abril 2010, SAN SALVADOR – Todas las mañana debe levantarse, revisar en su cuaderno de apuntes las direcciones de las casas que debe limpiar, preparar sus herramientas de trabajo e internarse en los exuberantes "free way" de San Francisco, en California. La historia de Ana Morales es común para miles de hombres y mujeres centroamericanas y mexicanos que viven en los Estados Unidos. Morales llegó de El Salvador, buscando el sueño americano hace más de 20 años; aún espera por sus documentos que le permitan volver a encontrarse con la familia materna.

Homenajes De La Alianza Reformada Mundial a Jefa De La Nación Cherokee

9 abril 2010, VIERNES, Suiza – Líderes de la iglesia Reformada rinden homenaje a Wilma Mankiller, lideresa de la comunidad indígena del norte de América, quien falleció el martes a los 64 años tras una breve enfermedad. Mankiller, miembro de la Nación Cherokee en los Estados Unidos, estaba programada para ser la oradora principal este mes de junio en la Asamblea Mundial de la Alianza Reformada Mundial (ARM por sus siglas en español) y el Consejo Ecuménico Reformado (CER) en Grand Rapids, Estados Unidos. Antes de ser diagnosticada con cáncer de páncreas, Mankiller había accedido a hacer una presentación inaugural en el Consejo General que pondrá en marcha la Comunión Mundial de Iglesias Reformadas, fusión de la ARM y CER.

Considerables Daños En Templos Católicos Por El Terremoto

5 abril 2010, SANTIAGO, Chile – A consecuencia del terremoto y el maremoto del pasado 27 de febrero, el 47 por ciento de los templos católicos de ese país sufrieron afectaciones en sus construcciones, según el Informe de Daños en Recintos Religiosos que fuera hecho público, la pasada semana, por la Oficina de Estadísticas de la Conferencia Episcopal de Chile (CECh), a partir de un primer diagnostico aportado por esa denominación religiosa. Según el informe, ese 47 por ciento representa un 80 por ciento de los templos de las nueve regiones afectadas.

Fuerte Negativa De Iglesias Luteranas Africanas Al Matrimonio Entre Personas Del Mismo Sexo

8 abril 2010, CHICAGO – Las iglesias luteranas de África y el obispo de Tanzania efectuaron fuertes declaraciones en contra de las decisiones de la Asamblea la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América (ELCA por sus siglas en inglés) sobre matrimonios entre personas del mismo sexo. El obispo presidente de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en Tanzania (ELCT) dijo en un sermón de Pascua que la ELCT no apoya determinadas decisiones de la Asamblea 2009 de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América (ELCA) ni la decisión de la Iglesia de de Suecia de permitir a sus clérigos para llevar a cabo matrimonios entre personas del mismo sexo.

Obispos Oran Por La No Violencia Y Semana Santa Deja Luto Y Dolor

6 abril 2010, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – A pesar de que las iglesias evangélica y católica oraron por la paz y la no violencia, e incluyeron estos temas en sus sermones de Semana Santa, la misma dejó un saldo superior a los 90 fallecidos, cifra solo superada por Guatemala, donde ocurrieron más de 100 accidentes de tránsito, ahogados y homicidios.

Religiosos Sudafricanos Y De Otras Latitudes Saludan Kairós Palestino

7 abril 2010, GINEBRA, Suiza – En su mensaje de Semana Santa, un destacado grupo de líderes cristianos, judíos y musulmanes sudafricanos expresó su solidaridad con los cristianos y cristianas palestinas y les exhortó a resistir contra el despojo y la expulsión de sus propias tierras. El mensaje saludando al Kairós Palestina es un documento elaborado por cristianos y cristianas de esa región en el que se afirma que la ocupación militar de sus tierras es "un pecado contra Dios y la humanidad," y que cualquier teología que legitime la ocupación se aleja de las enseñanzas cristianas.

Religious Liberty News

KENYA: Anglican Head Differs with Other Church Leaders on New Law

April 7, 2010, NAIROBI – Anglican Archbishop Eluid Wabukala of Kenya has chosen to differ with other Christian leaders in his country over a draft constitution that would permit Islamic "Kadhi" courts, and authorize abortion. The archbishop has urged Kenyans to back the law, while suggesting that controversial clauses in it could be revised in future. "The document is better than the current one. It is my feeling that Kenyans should accept it and amend some clauses later," Wabukala told journalists on April 3 in Nairobi, two days after the country's parliament had passed the law. Still, Wabukala's view is contrary to that of other Kenyan Christian leaders, who have rejected the draft constitution as being against the wishes of their followers in the east African country.

New York Metro News

Conference on Immigration Reform Set for April 21

April 6, 2010 – The Faith and Public Policy Roundtable will hold a conference on immigration reform from faith perspectives, featuring as panelists leading New York religious leaders. The conference will be held on Wednesday, April 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Ceremonial Hall at the Society for Ethical Culture, 2 West 64th St., Manhattan. Admission is free.

International News

Latin American and Caribbean Churches Gather for LWF Pre-Assembly
Evaluating Global Contribution of a Process That Has Strengthened Regional Interaction

April 9, 2010, BOGOTA, Colombia/GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches in Latin America and the Caribbean will determine how best they can share their experience of accompanying each other as churches in communion, which in their self-assessment has resulted in increased interaction, cooperation and emerging mutual trust among them. Their seven-year process will be a major discussion of the 12-16 April LWF Pre-Assembly Consultation and Church Leadership Conference for the Latin American and Caribbean churches, to be held in Bogota, Colombia.

Land, Water, Education and Gender Justice Constitute Africa's Prayer for Daily Bread
Final Message from the LWF Africa Pre-Assembly

April 6, 2010, ABUJA, Nigeria/GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches in Africa affirmed their commitment to ensuring access to land, water, and education and attainment of gender equity as urgent priorities for the continent's people. In the final message from the Africa Pre-Assembly and Church Leadership Consultation held 24-28 March in Abuja, Nigeria, representatives of the 31 LWF member churches on the continent said the Eleventh Assembly theme "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread," was "both most relevant and urgent within our context and other parts of the world because it is a matter of survival."

Next Trial Session in Iran for Seven Baha'is Set for Tomorrow

April 9, 2010, GENEVA – A third session of the court proceedings against seven imprisoned Iranian Baha'i leaders is scheduled for tomorrow in Tehran. It is unknown whether the hearing – scheduled in Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court – will be open to families of the defendants and other observers. The first two sessions were closed. The seven defendants, who have been imprisoned for two years, were responsible for tending to the spiritual and social needs of Iran's 300,000 Baha'is. In January of this year they were finally presented with formal charges, which include espionage and "corruption on earth" – accusations that they categorically deny.

Advocacy, Partnerships Bolstered as Sudan Approaches General Elections

April 9, 2010 – As Sudan heads to the polls this weekend to hold its first democratic elections in 24 years, Episcopalians in the U.S. have been ramping up advocacy and raising awareness of the issues that confront Africa's largest and most war-torn nation amid fears that it could plunge back into civil war. Richard Parkins and Russ Randle, two leading Episcopal Church advocates for Sudan, have continued to pursue the U.S. Congress and Obama administration pressing them to make the African country's peace agreement a priority and to ensure that fair elections are conducted. "There has been a ratcheting up of interest in Sudan because people are making dire predictions about the election aftermath," Parkins, director of the American Friends of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, told ENS in a telephone interview.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Hopes for Open Conversation with Tanzanian Bishop

April 7, 2010, CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), anticipates an "honest and open conversation" with the Rev. Alex G. Malasusa, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), when the two leaders meet here in May. Hanson said the ELCA and ELCT share a "rich relationship," and he hopes the conversation will explore how both churches can continue to accompany one other in God's mission. In his Easter sermon Malasusa expressed his contention with decisions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly and the Church of Sweden's decision to allow its clergy to perform same-gender marriages.

Haiti Synod Participants Urged to ‘Stand up and Walk'

April 8, 2010 – Gathering April 6-7 for an earthquake-postponed annual synod, the leadership of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti heard its bishop's call to "stand up and walk." "According to our theme for this year's synod, ‘Ayiti Leve Kanpe Pou ou Mache,' ‘Haiti, Stand Up and Walk,' Haiti needs all of its sons and daughters to work in solidarity to rebuild, to get Haiti back to its feet," Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin told the gathering at Bon Sauveur in Cange.

Middle East News

IRAQ: Resilient Anglicans Proceed with Easter Day Services Despite Baghdad Bombings

April 7, 2010 – A coordinated series of car bomb explosions in central Baghdad on April 4 may have shattered the windows and caused some structural damage to St. George's Memorial Church, but that did not deter resilient worshipers from proceeding with their Easter Day services and celebrating Jesus' resurrection from the dead. "The buildings in our compound shuddered, the windows shattered, the sirens began screeching and some [people] nearby ran to us in tears. Birds even fell dead from the sky," said the Rev. Canon Andrew White, vicar of St. George's, who was preparing for the morning Eucharist service when the explosions shook the city and the church's foundations.

People in the News

Tributes Pour in for American Indian Leader, Wilma Mankiller

April 8, 2010 – Tributes from Reformed church leaders are pouring in for Wilma Mankiller, an American Indian rights advocate who died Tuesday at 64 after a brief illness. Mankiller, a member of the Cherokee Nation in the United States, was scheduled to be a keynote speaker this June at a global assembly of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) in Grand Rapids, United States. Prior to being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Mankiller had agreed to make a keynote presentation at the Uniting General Council (UGC) which will launch the World Communion of Reformed Churches from a merger of WARC and REC.