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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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Chemberlin: Churches Find Obama Memorandum on Patient Visits April 16, 2010, NEW YORK – The President of the National Council of Churches said today that President Obama's memorandum to Health And Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius requiring hospitals to "respect the rights of patients to designate visitors" will be "affirmed by most Americans." The presidential ruling, which applies to hospitals receiving Medicaid or Medicare, assures that patient visits will not be denied "on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability." Polish Adventist Church Mourns President and Other Victims of Plane Crash April 13, 2010, WARSAW, Poland – The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Poland (KoÊcio½a Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) joins the Polish people and churches in mourning the victims of the 10 April plane crash in Smolensk, Russia, in which President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, numerous government and military officials, and several church representatives died. The high-rank delegation was on its way to a ceremony honouring Polish officers slain by the Soviet secret police in 1940 in and near the forest of Katyn in western Russia. Islamic Society Head Describes Changing Muslim Community Engagement April 9, 2010, CHICAGO – Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Director of Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary told a story of how change involves communication to participants gathered in Chicago for Religion Communication Congress 2010 (April 7-10). The congress is the once-a-decade gathering of communications professionals from different from different faiths, different countries, and different areas of faith. More than 500 participants in this decade's event explored the theme "Embracing Change: Communicating Faith in Today's World." 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. Religious Groups Seek Tax Policies That Assist Low-Income Working Families April 15, 2010 WASHINGTON – As millions joined the last-minute frenzy to file federal income taxes Thursday, religious groups urged Congress to craft tax policies to help low-income working families. In particular, Congress must address a series of tax cuts and tax credits that are set to expire this year, said more than a dozen religious groups, including the National Council of Churches. "The National Council of Churches has repeatedly argued that the struggle to overcome endemic poverty in 21st century America is the moral equivalent of the movement for civil rights in the 20th century," said Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, NCC General Secretary. Pluralism: More than One of Something; April 9, 2010, CHICAGO – "Pluralism begins with difference. Real religious pluralism means our engagement with one another requires building sturdy relationships," said Diana Eck, developer and director of The Pluralism Project at Harvard University, in a Friday keynote address to participants in Religion Communication Congress 2010. Noting the challenges faced in the United States with its complex religious landscape, Dr. Eck noted that, "religious faith is a powerful force in people's lives and choices. Statement Discusses ELCA Decision to Ordain Homosexuals April 15, 2010 – A statement released March 23 addresses the decisions on human sexuality made by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at its 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Titled "Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions," the 10-page statement was prepared by a task force appointed by Synod President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick. At its August 2009 assembly, the ELCA resolved to recognize "lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships" and to authorize ordination into the pastoral ministry for individuals living in such relationships. Brethren Digital Archives Group Introduces New Website April 12, 2010, ELGIN, IL – The Brethren Digital Archives (BDA) group has a new website at www.brethrendigitalarchives.org. The website includes background about the digitization project for Brethren publications, the mission statement of the group, a list of the partners, news, and contact information. There are plans to add an option for online contributions. The website was introduced at the BDA meeting on March 4-5 in Winona Lake, Ind., hosted by the "Brethren Missionary Herald" office. A significant portion of the meeting was spent evaluating vendors interested in digitizing Brethren periodicals. Conversations in an Earthquake Zone April 12, 2010, ELGIN, IL – Following are snatches of conversation with people living in earthquake-affected areas in and around Port-au-Prince, Haiti – conversations that took place "on the side" during a week of clinics offered by a Church of the Brethren medical delegation in March. Haitian Brethren church leaders, members of congregations, university students, Brethren Disaster Ministries staff – each had something important to share. Several people's remarks were touching, even heart breaking. Others pointed to the hope that is alive in the Brethren communities in Haiti. Women's Ordination Issue Not on World Session Agenda, Adventist President Says April 10, 2010, SILVER SPRING, Maryland – The issue of women's ordination will not be added to the agenda for the 59th General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the church's President Jan Paulsen said April 6. Speaking to leadership at Spring Meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland, Paulsen said that a canvass of the church's 13 world church divisions revealed only three willing to accept a change in the current policy of not ordaining women to pastoral ministry, and eight divisions reporting the move would negatively impact membership. Two other divisions apparently did not respond. The survey arose, Paulsen said, from discussions held during the January 2010 meeting of the church's President's Executive Administrative Council. UCC's Precedent-Setting Viral Launch to Speak ‘The Language of God' April 15, 2010, CLEVELAND, Ohio –Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the United Church of Christ's decision to relocate its national offices here from New York City, the UCC on April 16 is launching its next "God is Still Speaking" commercial. Titled "The Language of God," the viral internet production marks the first time that the 1.1-million-member UCC is relying exclusively on social networking and church members to spread the message. "What makes this debut so significant is that we are counting on the moxy of our million-plus supporters to spiral this viral message around the world," says the Rev. Felix Carrion, coordinator of the UCC's Stillspeaking Ministry. PCT and Catholic Church Weigh in on Ancestor Worship and Salvation on Radio Talk Show April 11, 2010 – Just before Easter, PCT pastor Rev. Lo Chun-gi and Catholic Archbishop John Hung were invited to appear on a Taiwanese radio talk show to share their views on life and death, ancestor worship, and religion. Though Catholics and Protestants differ in worship styles and diverge on a few theological issues, both religions believe human life is eternal and don't treat death as a taboo subject. During the show, Rev. Lo and Archbishop Hung encouraged listeners to put their faith in Jesus. SOUTHERN OHIO: Same-Gender Couples Receive Church's Blessing April 13, 2010 – For Lynn and Peg, exchanging vows April 11 during Sunday worship at Church of Our Saviour in Cincinnati in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio was a long time coming. "It was humbling. It was breathtaking," recalled Peg, 51. "We felt honored and respected and so accepted by who is really our family now." "We absolutely love our God and we love each other," added Lynn, also 51, during an April 12 telephone interview with the couple, who are both social workers and who asked that their last names be withheld. After the ceremony, the congregation clapped and there were choruses of "it's about time," Lynn recalled. April 13, 2010 – About 100 members of St. Matthew's Church in the Portland-based Diocese of Oregon have voted to transfer their membership to St. Matthew's Anglican Church, aligned with the Anglican Church in North America, according to a statement posted on the parish website. The decision involved "a long process of discernment involving Bible study, discussion and prayer," according to the Rev. David L. Humphrey, rector. "This decision has been taken after several years of deep concern regarding the Episcopal Church's theology, Christology and interpretation of Scripture." Seamen's Church Institute Embarks on Novel Study of Piracy's Effects April 16, 2010 – For many people, the word "pirate" conjures images of the Walt Disney franchise's "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, featuring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, and its theme-park attractions. Halloween partygoers don't dress as merchant mariners. In reality, pirates wreak havoc on the maritime shipping industry. In 2009, 406 incidences of piracy and armed robbery were reported – 217 of those attacks attributed to Somali pirates. It was the first time since 2003 that reported incidences surpassed 400, according to the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre. United Methodists Ride in Vietnam April 15, 2010, STAMFORD, Conn. – The Rev. Dennis Miller, who averages 10,000 miles a year on his Harley-Davidson, is riding a new bike in a new place this week as he traverses the hills of Vietnam. Miller, senior pastor of the Grove City (Ohio) United Methodist Church, is part of a motorcycle gang that has the approval of West Ohio Bishop Bruce Ough. "This week, a team from West Ohio is conducting a motorbike rally through the hill country of Vietnam, visiting, encouraging, teaching and praying with United Methodist congregations along the way," Ough told directors of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. He is president of the mission agency. April 16, 2010, BOGOTA, Colombia/GENEVA – Lutherans and Mennonites in Latin America and the Caribbean celebrated a joint commitment to peace in the world, as a delegation of Mennonites were welcomed at a regional conference of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in the Colombian city of Bogota. Since 1980, Lutherans have been seeking closer ties with Mennonites and expressing regret for persecutions – sometimes under Lutheran auspices – which Mennonites and other Anabaptists received in the 16th and 17th centuries. At the ongoing LWF Pre-Assembly Consultation and Church Leadership Conference for churches in the Latin American and Caribbean region, in Bogota, participants who included representatives from the Mennonite Church of Colombia (IMCOL) heard about the painful history that marks Lutheran-Mennonite relations, and about progress made over recent decades of ecumenical dialogue. Editorial: Speaking up for Marginalized People in Times of Recession April 11, 2010 – Just as churches wrapped up Easter celebrations, PCT got ready for its annual General Assembly Meeting. As always, PCT General Assembly earnestly prays that the Holy Spirit will work through delegates so that every issue discussed will culminate in resolutions that delegates can agree on and take back to their respective churches. The original purpose behind holding a General Assembly Meeting every year was to facilitate pastors and church members to exchange ideas, despite their different life experiences and visions. It was intended to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit to help churches prepare and realize their evangelical mission. Envía Consejo De Iglesias Cartas De Condolencia a Embajadas De Polonia, China Y Brasil 16 abril 2010, LA HABANA, Cuba – Sendas cartas de condolencia envió el Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba (CIC), a las respectivas embajadas de Polonia, China y Brasil, en La Habana, ante las últimas contingencias ocurridas en esos países, patentizándoles su solidaridad desde la perspectiva liberadora de Jesucristo. En el primer texto se plantea: "El Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba con profunda tristeza acogió la lamentable noticia del accidente aéreo ocurrido en días anteriores, donde resultaron victimas de esa tragedia nacional el presidente de la República Polaca, Lech Kaczynski y la primera dama, María Kaczynski, más la comitiva oficial que encabezaba la delegación que asistiría al acto conmemorativo a celebrarse en la República Rusa. Laicos Entregan Carta Al Cardenal Bertone Pidiendo Compromiso Con Los Pobres 16 abril 2010, CHILE – "Como laicas y laicos cristianos, educados y formados en la doctrina de nuestra Iglesia Católica que es experta en humanidad, queremos entregarle algunas reflexiones que tienen que ver con lo que ocurre en nuestra sociedad chilena," expone una carta entregada al excelentísimo cardenal Tarcisio Bertone, secretario del Estado Vaticano, en su visita a ese país. La misiva alude a "los diversos acontecimientos sociales y políticos dolorosos, contradictorios" que han ocurrido en Chile, en las últimas décadas, y en los cuales la Iglesia ha tenido una activa participación. Iglesias Evangélicas Amparan a Víctimas De La Tragedia En Río Y En Niterói 12 abril 2010, RÍO DE JANEIRO, Bolivia – El Ejército de Salvación destinó un equipo de 12 personas de San Pablo a Río de Janeiro, con el propósito de auxiliar a colegas de Emergencia local que están trabajando en el apoyo de familias que fueron castigadas, la semana pasada, por una de las mayores tragedias vivida por la ciudad maravillosa y alrededores: lluvias, inundaciones, deslizamientos de tierra. Del lunes a martes, en menos de 24 horas fueron registrados 288 milímetros de precipitaciones en la capital fluminense, el equivalente a la media mensual de abril, volumen que daría para llenar 300 mil piscinas olímpicas de agua. La lluvia que cayó durante la semana dejó un rastro de 229 muertes, dato computado hasta el final de la tarde de ayer. Denuncian Homofobia Y Crecimiento De La Violencia Contra La Comunidad Gay 16 abril 2010, CIUDAD DE PANAMÁ – Ricardo Beteta, presidente del gremio, dijo que la comunidad gay se siente discriminada en lo laboral, por ello presentarán un anteproyecto de ley en el mes de mayo, que prohíba la segregación por razones de sexo. La Asociación de Hombres y Mujeres Nuevos de Panamá (AHMNP), negó que con el anteproyecto de ley se pretenda legalizar los matrimonios y adopciones entre estos grupos de personas, cuando, según estadísticas manejadas por esta organización, existen en el país unos 90 mil gays, lesbianas y bisexuales. El presidente de la AHMNP dijo que presentarán el plan por segunda vez a la Asamblea Naciona Sociedad Civil Reacciona Ante Ley Que Sanciona Con Prisión Cierres De Calles 12 abril 2010, CIUDAD DE PANAMÁ – Después de que la mayoría oficialista en la Asamblea Nacional de Diputados de Panamá, aprobara en segundo debate sanciones de hasta dos años de cárcel para quienes cierren calles, se produjo la reacción adversa de la sociedad civil. Si bien el obispo metodista y presidente del Comité Ecuménico de Panamá, Pablo Morales, considera que se deben regular los cierres de calles, porque se violenta el derecho de circulación, advierte que penalizar hasta con dos años de cárcel a quien lo haga podría ser utilizado por el Gobierno "para acallar al pueblo." Web De La Santa Sede Coloca Guía De Procedimientos Para Denunciar Abusos Sexuales 16 abril 2010, CIUDAD DEL VATICANO – Una guía para comprender los procedimientos básicos de la Congregación para la Doctrina de la Fe, ante casos de denuncias por abusos sexuales, fue colocada desde ayer en la web de la Santa Sede, según el sitio, que alude a una información difundida por Radio Vaticano. Se explica que esta iniciativa "no es un nuevo documento, sino un resumen de los procedimientos operativos ya definidos, que puede ser de ayuda para laicos y no canonistas" a la hora de comprender la actuación de la Congregación," en tanto los procedimientos se remiten"al Motu Proprio Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela (MP SST) del 30 de abril de 2001 y al Código de Derecho Canónico de 1983. Hate Group Member Sentenced in Crime Against NY Scientology Church April 14, 2010, NEW YORK – A member of the hate group Anonymous, Mahoud Samed Almahadin, aka Matt Connor, was sentenced today in New York City Criminal Court in connection with a January 8, 2009, attack on the Church of Scientology of New York. (People vs. Almahadin, Mahoud; Criminal Docket 2009NY00410). Almahadin smeared himself with a mixture of Vaseline, nail clippings and pubic hairs donated by other members of the Anonymous hate group, ran into the New York Church just off Times Square and desecrated the Church, including causing damage to Scriptural materials. Almahadin's sentence forbids him from going near the Church of Scientology for five years. April 15, 2010, WASHINGTON – International humanitarian agency Church World Service and an interfaith coalition of organizations have called on Congress to appropriate "robust funding" for the world's most vulnerable, with focus on food security, agriculture, water resources and related climate adaptation, as well as increased funding for primary education, HIV/AIDS relief, overseas refugee assistance and refugee resettlement programs within the U.S. April 16, 2010, WASHINGTON – Nine months after arriving in Seattle, Washington, from Jordan, where she spent the last six years of her life after fleeing her home in war-torn Baghdad, Iraq, in 2004, Nada Abood called on three members of Congress in their offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., asking that they support refugees and act to reform the nation's refugee resettlement program. An electrical engineer by training, Abood, 36, is now a part-time case worker for the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia's Refugee Resettlement Office, helping others make the transition into American life. Congolese Church and Government Representatives to Discuss Human Rights April 12, 2010 – Human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be the topic of a workshop bringing together high-level representatives of government, churches and international organisations in the country's capital Kinshasa, 13-17 April. Speakers at the workshop include the United Nations special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Margaret Sekaggya, the DRC justice minister Luzolo Bambi, as well as the ministers in charge of planning, economy and gender issues, the national president of the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) Bishop Pierre Marini Bodho, the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) vice-president Methodist Bishop David Yemba, as well as other prominent representatives of state, church and civil society. Asian Christian Assembly Heads for Prophetic Witness and Reconciliation April 15, 2010 – In a keynote speech on the theme of the 13th General Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) "Called to Prophesy, Reconcile and Heal," the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) said: "There is no true prophecy that does not speak both the critical truth and contribute to the building up of a vision, a dream of the new life in common." The CCA assembly, which is taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 15-20 April, also reached "an important milestone in the ecumenical movement," Tveit said referring to the election of its first woman general secretary. Churches Across Taiwan Celebrate Easter in Unique Ways April 11, 2010 – When a thousand Christians from different denominations gather to praise God and proclaim the gospel together, the display of unity and harmony in Christ can be quite an amazing sight to behold. This is exactly what happened on Easter Sunday this year when more than a thousand Christians from Presbyterian, Baptist, Alliance, Methodist, and other denominations celebrated Easter together through a joint Easter worship service at Jinghua Park in Taipei City. This was the first time ten churches in Jingmei area had held a joint Easter service. April 14, 2010, BOGOTA, Colombia/GENEVA – When Christians pray "give us this day our daily bread," they are praying for bread to be shared with others, said Rev. Dr Patricia Cuyatti, former president of the Peruvian Lutheran Evangelical Church. She was addressing participants in The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Pre-Assembly Consultation and Church Leadership Conference for Latin American and Caribbean churches taking place in Bogota, Colombia, 12-16 April. "Jesus teaches us to pray in plural: "our daily bread, give us today," she said, because bread only makes sense if enjoyed in community. April 13, 2010, GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) joins the Polish people and churches in mourning the victims of the 10 April plane crash in Smolensk, Russia, in which President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, numerous government and military officials, and several church representatives – including a Lutheran pastor – died. Rev. Adam Pilch, the Acting Military Bishop of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, was among the nearly 100 passengers who died in the presidential plane that crash landed at the Smolensk airport, western Russia. Pilch, the pastor of the Ascension Parish in Warsaw, was part of an ecumenical delegation traveling in the same aircraft. Armed Militia Storm Bukavu Bishop's Home at Night April 13, 2010 – A group of unidentified gunmen forced their way into the home of Congolese Bishop Sylvestre Bali-Busane Bahati of the Diocese of Bukavu during the early hours of April 9, looting the property and leaving with money, clothes and electronic equipment. The bishop was unharmed, but the gunmen tied up his eldest son insisting they be directed to him, according to an e-mail sent from Bahati to church partners. The gunmen also assaulted the security man on duty. According to the e-mail, the gunmen said they had been paid US$20,000 "to assassinate the Anglican bishop of Bukavu diocese." Update on Third Trial Session of Iranian Baha'i Leaders April 13, 2010, GENEVA – Details are emerging from yesterday's court appearance in Tehran of seven imprisoned Iranian Baha'i leaders. The Baha'i International Community has learned that when the prisoners arrived at the court, their families were not allowed to enter, signaling a closed hearing. Inside the courtroom, however, the prisoners saw numerous officials and interrogators from the Ministry of Intelligence – along with a film crew which had already set up its cameras. Concerned over the presence of non-judicial personnel in a supposedly closed hearing, the Baha'is – with the agreement of their attorneys – declined to be party to the proceedings. MISSOURI: Diocese Holds Prayer Vigil for Sudan April 14, 2010 – Episcopalians in the Diocese of Missouri have been in deep prayer for their brothers and sisters in Sudan since the African country's first national elections commenced on April 11. The election was scheduled to conclude on April 13 but Sudan's Election Commission extended voting by two days to compensate for delays in delivering ballots to polling stations; so the Missouri diocese has extended its 24-hour prayer vigil too, with individuals being asked to sign up for one-hour prayer slots. ZIMBABWE: Anglicans Face Ongoing Harassment from Mugabe's Police Force April 14, 2010 – Anglicans in Zimbabwe continue to face intimidation from President Robert Mugabe's police force, which is routinely instructed to take whatever measures necessary to prevent them from worshiping freely in their own churches. The latest incident occurred on Sunday, April 11, at St. Luke's Anglican Church in Rhodesville, which was "sealed off by riot police following violent clashes between a faction belonging to excommunicated Harare Bishop Nolbert Kunonga and the one belonging to the official bishop of the diocese Chad Gandiya," according to a report from the Zimdiaspora news agency. Michelle Obama, Jill Biden Visit Haitian Diocese's Quake Survivor Camp April 13, 2010 – First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, the wife of the U.S. vice president, April 13 visited a Port-au-Prince earthquake survivor settlement run by the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. The two women walked to College Ste. Pierre, a wrecked diocesan high school, as part of their one-day surprise tour of the Haitian capital. U.S. Embassy personnel told the Rev. Lauren Stanley, Episcopal Church-appointed missionary in Haiti and liaison to Bishop of Haiti Jean Zaché Duracin in the U.S., that Obama and Biden visited the site because they wanted to see an actual survivor camp where Haitians were helping Haitians recover in the quake's aftermath. Stanley said the embassy personnel told her that they knew such work was being facilitated by the diocese. Ben Hooks' Message of Peace and Justice Was Inseparable from the Gospel of Christ April 16, 2010, NEW YORK – The Rev. Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, an American Baptist minister who preached church unity and human harmony, was hailed Thursday as an eloquent leader whose life exemplified Christ's love of the poor and passion for justice. The Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, said, "Benjamin Hooks' outstanding leadership in the quest for equal rights in a segregated America reflected American Baptist's passion for justice as an integral part of Jesus' message of redemption. We are deeply saddened at the passing of this giant but his achievements shall never fade from the consciousness of all who ‘thirst for righteousness.'" LWF Pays Tribute to Indian Church Leader Kunchala Rajaratnam for Firm Commitment to Justice April 10, 2010, GENEVA – Dr Kunchala Rajaratnam, a layman who served the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI) for over four decades, and was formerly Asian region secretary for The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), died on 7 April at his home in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, southern India, at the age of 89. He was director emeritus of the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute. A former president of the National Council of Churches in India, Rajaratnam was a leader who "challenged not only the church in India but the global ecumenical church to make Dalit liberation a primary missionary objective," said Rev. A. G. Augustine Jeyakumar, UELCI executive secretary. |
