Front Page

Iraqi Church Leaders Call for End to Violence

May 12, 2010 – Recent violence in Iraq has led Iraqi church leaders to issue a statement calling on "all government officials and political parties in order to give priority to the public interest and the security of citizens." The statement, released Thursday 6 May, by the Council of the Christian Church Leaders of Iraq (CCCLI), came after an emergency meeting of the council in Qaraqosh. At the time the church leaders were responding to a 2 May attack in the northern city of Mosul, where buses carrying Christian university students travelling from the center of the district of Hamdaniya to the University of Mosul were bombed. One person was killed and some 188 men and women were injured, some seriously.

Humanitarian Agency Praises Senate Climate Bill Action, but Calls for Higher Bar
Church World Service Urges ‘More Ambitious Emissions Targets,'
Says ‘Too Little Adaptation Money Too Late' for Vulnerable Nations

May 13, 2010 WASHINGTON, D.C. – In reaction to yesterday's release of "The American Power Act" by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO of Church World Service, an international humanitarian organization, commended the senators for their hard work and a bill that "provides an initial step." But the agency called for "higher expectations" related to greenhouse gas emissions targets in earlier years and earlier commitment to adaptation funding for vulnerable nations. In a statement issued today, McCullough said, "I commend Senators Kerry and Lieberman for their hard work and leadership in bringing us legislation that addresses climate change and provides an initial step for the United States toward a more ecologically and economically sustainable future. Such a bill is vitally needed; indeed, it is overdue. Climate change is the moral challenge of our generation."

Update: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Response Anticipated

May 11, 2010 – Three weeks after the April 20 explosion and fire on an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, a potentially devastating domino effect from the subsequent spill is looming larger with each passing day. A recent wind shift is slowly pushing more oil from BP's Deepwater Horizon gusher into the Mississippi Delta and areas west of the river, which is "bad news for Louisiana," Gov. Bobby Jindal said May 10. "The chaos is around still being in crisis mode," says Florence Coppola, the UCC's executive minister for Disaster Ministries. "People are preparing for what may happen. The fish and shrimp industries have shut down, of course, but this is going to have a huge economic impact on the people recovering from Hurricane Katrina just five years ago."

Taking the Pulse of the Ecumenical Movement

May 11, 2010 – Church ecumenical officers play a key role in the advancement of ecumenism at a time when resources are scarce and inward-looking tendencies thrive. "I regard you as the group that is closest to us in our daily work," the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit told a gathering of church ecumenical officers on Tuesday, 4 May. A former ecumenical officer himself, Tveit emphasized the crucial relevance of the ecumenical officers' work: "Serving the churches in their response to the call to seek Christian unity, nurturing opportunities for the churches to be one in faith, prayer and service, encouraging their witness for justice and peace – these are indeed huge tasks, sometimes quite demanding."

NCC Urges Congress to Take Immediate Action on Climate to Protect Vulnerable Communities

May 14, 2010, WASHINGTON – The National Council of Churches commented on climate legislation introduced today in the Senate and called on Congress "to take action to address climate change in order to protect those living in poverty in the U.S. and abroad." The NCC, composed of 36 national Christian communions, said the legislation in it its current form "fails to provide adaptation assistance in a timely and sufficient manner to meet the growing needs of those living in poverty around the world."

Arizona: Episcopalians Assess Implications of Immigration Law
Tough Measure Makes the ‘Already Desperate More Desperate and Fearful,' Priest Says

May 13, 2010 – The Rev. Canon Carmen B. Guerrero remembers living with the fear of her mother, a third-generation Mexican American, "who would never go close to the border because she was afraid of getting deported, although she had been born here." For Guerrero, canon for peace and justice in the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, the state's tough anti-illegal immigration law feels a bit like déjà vu. Guerrero described suffering of her parishioners because of the immigration debacle. An undocumented woman in her congregation, identified only as "Señora," received news her mother was ill and went to Mexico for a visit, leaving behind two young children, Guerrero said.

Catholic-Jewish Court Sign of Change

May 12, 2010 – Of the 111 justices who have served on the U.S. Supreme Court, 91 have been Protestant. But if Solicitor General Elena Kagan is confirmed as the 112th justice, no Protestants will sit on the nation's highest court for the first time in history. Kagan, who is Jewish, would join a bench that already includes six Catholics and two Jews.

General News

Church Affiliated Senior Home Makes Seniors' Lives Happier and Healthier

May 9, 2010 – "In the past decade, we've had 193 residents come to us asking to be baptized and become Christians," said Rev. Tai Yue-shin from Suan-Lien Elderly Center during a recent forum on soul care and outreach for seniors. He added that churches planning to minister to seniors by running a senior home must shape this ministry around physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of seniors, and, most importantly, must display genuine care and interest in seniors. Recent surveys indicate that though there are a lot of seniors in Taiwan in need of professional care, the number of senior homes isn't keeping up with the number of seniors in this aging society.

Roundtable Explores Churches Role in Internet Technology Use

May 13, 2010 – Churches are among the few institutions in American life where different generations meet, says the Rev. Deirdre Hainsworth of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. In a society increasingly Balkanized by technology, faith communities may have a unique contribution to make when building community on the Internet. Hainsworth, an ordained UCC minister, spoke April 30 at the 2010 Ecumenical Roundtable on Faith, Science and Technology at the UCC's Church House in Cleveland. Her paper focused on the value of "inquiry" as a method both for science and the church as it tackles social and scientific issues. "Inquiry is basic to Christian understandings of human life in relationship with God," she said.

Lutherans Renew Worship with ‘Partners in Evangelical Worship'

May 14, 2010, CHICAGO – Renewing worship for relevance in today's world is a priority for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). To help make that happen, "partners in evangelical worship" are being identified in the 65 synods of the church. "Partners in evangelical worship are part of a new network to assist synods and congregations in thinking about ways that we can be an evangelizing church centered in the means of grace," said the Rev. Robert G. Schaefer, executive for worship, ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop. The partners are volunteer musicians, pastors and others who will help make connections between worship and mission, justice and service, said Schaefer.

Ecumenical News

Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Address Finalist Bid Cities

May 15, 2010 – From May 16 – 20, representatives from five international cities will gather in Chicago to learn more about hosting the 2014 Parliament. The meeting will take place at the Palmer House Hilton, site of the centennial 1993 Parliament and steps from the site of the inaugural Parliament of 1893 which launched the worldwide interreligious movement. Much to our delight, Archbishop Desmond Tutu will personally address city representatives via live-stream video from the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative's 10th Anniversary Celebration held in honor of the decade anniversary 1999 Parliament of Religions.

WCC General Secretary to Speak at the "Kirchentag"

May 10, 2010 – World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit will be one of the main speakers at the Second Ecumenical Kirchentag in Munich, Germany, 12-16 May. Tveit will participate in two key panel discussions on ecumenism and on peace with Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, chairperson of the German Catholic Bishops' Conference, and with the Rev. Nikolaus Schneider, chairperson of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), among others. The Ecumenical Kirchentag, an initiative of Germany's Protestant and Roman Catholic lay movements, is expected to draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors, including some 4000 guests from abroad.

Editorial Page

Editorial: as Bow Is to Arrow, So Is Mother to Child

May 9, 2010 – Carnations in May remind us to express gratitude to all mothers on earth. Every woman takes on countless responsibilities and makes innumerable sacrifices from the moment she delivers her baby after ten months of pregnancy. A lot of tears and sweat are included in the process of raising a child and motherhood is a lifetime responsibility. Perhaps modern women no longer see serving their husbands and children as the center of their lives. Many women nowadays have gone on to pursue self-realization and prestigious careers on top of starting a family.

Spanish News

Dirigentes Cristianos En Irak Piden Poner Fin a La Violencia

12 mayo 2010 – Ante la reciente violencia en Irak líderes de iglesias iraquíes instaron a "todos los funcionarios gubernamentales y partidos políticos a dar prioridad al interés público y a la seguridad de los ciudadanos." En una declaración publicada el 6 de mayo, el Consejo de Líderes de Iglesias Cristianas de Irak respondió de esa manera a un ataque perpetrado el 2 de mayo en la ciudad norteña de Mosul. En ese ataque fueron bombardeados autobuses que transportaban a estudiantes universitarios cristianos de la universidad de Mosul.

Líder Presbiteriano Cuestiona Voluntad De Diálogo De Benedicto XVI

13 mayo 2010, LISBOA, Portugal – Aunque la verdad y el diálogo fueron elementos centrales en el discurso de Benedicto XVI en su segunda jornada en esta ciudad, un líder presbiteriano cuestionó la voluntad de diálogo del pontífice romano. "No hay un esfuerzo real para dialogar con las mujeres que piden su ordenación, o con los homosexuales que exigen el reconocimiento de sus derechos, o con aquellos que defienden el aborto voluntario.

Organizaciones De Derechos Humanos Denuncian Pacto De Impunidad
En Elección De Fiscal General De La Nación

14 mayo 2010, CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA – Con indignación y decepción evidente, representantes de organizaciones de derechos humanos, sociales y religiosas, denunciaron aquí un pacto de impunidad entre los grupos de poder, en el proceso para la elección del Fiscal General de la Nación, el cual pretende revertir procesos institucionales iniciados para erradicar la impunidad en Guatemala.

Dirigentes Cristianos En Irak Piden Poner Fin a La Violencia

14 mayo 2010, GINEBRA, Suiza – Ante la reciente violencia en Irak líderes de iglesias iraquíes instaron a "todos los funcionarios gubernamentales y partidos políticos a dar prioridad al interés público y a la seguridad de los ciudadanos." En una declaración publicada el 6 de mayo, el Consejo de Líderes de Iglesias Cristianas de Irak respondió de esa manera a un ataque perpetrado el 2 de mayo en la ciudad norteña de Mosul. En ese ataque fueron bombardeados autobuses que transportaban a estudiantes universitarios cristianos de la universidad de Mosul. Una persona murió y otras 188 resultaron heridas, algunas de ellas gravemente Desde entonces, según informes de prensa, se han producido más ataques en todo Irak, si bien no todos han sido contra cristianos.

Iglesia Católica Subraya Papel Fundamental De La Mujer Como Madre

10 mayo 2010, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – La Iglesia Católica mexicana rindió ayer homenaje a las madres que viven con dignidad su maternidad, cuando, según palabras del obispo Felipe Arizmendi durante la misa del domingo en la Catedral Metropolitana de esta capital, es lamentable que algunas mujeres hayan degenerado su maternidad, "haciéndose asesinas de sus propios hijos," al utilizar la práctica del aborto.

Obispo Presidente De La ELCA Se Une a Llamado Para Proteger a Personas Cristianas En Iraq

13 mayo 2010, CHICAGO – El Rvdo. Mark S. Hanson, Obispo Presidente de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América (ELCA), se unió a los 21 lideresas y líderes religiosos quienes firmaron cartas dirigidas a altos funcionarios del Gobierno de Estados Unidos para exhortarles a plantear inquietudes con respecto a la protección de grupos minoritarios en Iraq, incluida la comunidad cristiana.

Tomando El Pulso Al Movimiento Ecuménico

11 mayo 2010 – Los encargados de asuntos ecuménicos de las iglesias desempeñan una función decisiva en el progreso del ecumenismo en una época en que sus recursos son escasos y aumenta la tendencia a mirar sólo por sí mismos. "Los considero a ustedes como el grupo que está más cercano a nosotros en nuestro trabajo diario," dijo el secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, a una reunión de encargados de asuntos ecuménicos de las iglesias, el martes, 4 de mayo.

Iglesias Y Promotores De La Paz Unidos En Oración,
Educación Y Sensibilización En Favor De La Paz En Palestina-Israel

14 mayo 2010, GINEBRA, SUIZA – En países de seis continentes, una amplia diversidad de comunidades religiosas, creyentes y organizaciones de derechos humanos y promotoras de la paz están preparando la celebración de la Semana Mundial por la Paz en Palestina e Israel. La Semana Mundial por la Paz en Palestina e Israel, iniciativa del Foro Ecuménico Palestina-Israel del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, se celebrará el 29 de mayo al 4 de junio de 2010.

Es Hora De Hablar Sobre Los Derechos De Los "Refugiados Climáticos"

10 mayo 2010 – El tira y afloja internacional sobre los niveles umbral de las emisiones de dióxido de carbono y otros instrumentos destinados a frenar el empeoramiento del cambio climático ha causado últimamente un gran revuelo, pero ha dado pocos resultados. Por lo tanto, la comunidad internacional debe prepararse ahora para atender a aquellos que se verán forzados a dejar sus hogares a consecuencia del cambio climático. A medida que el clima mundial cambie, millones de personas quedarán desarraigadas debido a la subida del nivel del mar, acontecimientos climáticos extremos, sequías y la escasez de agua.

Iglesias Y Promotores De La Paz Unidos En La Oración,
La Educación Y La Sensibilización En Favor De La Paz En Palestina-Israel

12 mayo 2010 – En países de seis continentes, una amplia diversidad de comunidades religiosas, creyentes y organizaciones de derechos humanos y promotoras de la paz están preparando la celebración de la Semana Mundial por la Paz en Palestina e Israel. La Semana Mundial por la Paz en Palestina e Israel, iniciativa del Foro Ecuménico Palestina-Israel del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, se celebrará el 29 de mayo al 4 de junio de 2010. La finalidad de esta Semana es estimular a las comunidades y personas interesadas a que den un testimonio común participando en actos de culto, eventos educativos y acciones de sensibilización en apoyo de una paz justa para palestinos e israelíes.

National News

Bishops to Go Ahead with Arizona Meeting Despite Immigration Law Outcry

May 13, 2010 – The Episcopal Church's House of Bishops will meet Sept. 15-21 in Phoenix for its regular fall meeting as planned, including an optional pre-meeting trip to the U.S.-Mexican border, despite public outcry over Arizona's recent enactment of the nation's toughest immigration law and calls for a boycott. "It's an opportunity to be educated, to be informed and to make a public statement about solidarity with people that are victims in this, and there are victims on both sides, which is important to emphasize," said Arizona Bishop Kirk Smith in a telephone interview.

FORT WORTH: Displaced Episcopalians Worshipping Together Again

May 11, 2010 – The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth announced May 11 that Episcopalians from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church are worshipping each Sunday evening at Trinity Episcopal Church. Provisional Bishop of Fort Worth C. Wallis Ohl is leading Evening Prayer from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer for the St. Andrew's congregation each Sunday; a service of Holy Communion will be held once a month. "We are happy that these Episcopalians from St. Andrew's are able to worship together once again," Ohl said, adding that he authorized the use of the 1928 prayer book because "this is a community that needs to build from where they are. They are our sisters and brothers and we rejoice with them at their reunion in worship."

International News

Ecumenical Congress Opens in Germany

May 13, 2010, MUNICH, Germany – Catholic and evangelical representatives have gathered for an ecumenical conference in Munich, which includes music, presentations, prayer and fellowship. The congress, which is being promoted by the Central Committee of German Catholics and the German Evangelical Congress, opened Wednesday and will close on Sunday. Some 130,000 participants are registered for the event that has as its theme "So That You Have Hope." On Wednesday night, 300,000 people formed a human chain and prayed the Our Father together through the streets of the city.

Local Church Lauds Motherhood During Community Celebration

May 9, 2010 – "We're all ordinary people, but the secret to receiving a great calling from God is to live a sacrificial life according to God's commands," said Rev. Wu En-tien, pastor of Hsu Chun-fang Memorial Church. This PCT church in Taipei organized a Mother's Day community celebration event ahead of time on the afternoon of May 2 to honor every mother and welcomed families living in the church's neighborhood to attend. According to Rev. Wu, though mothers are very ordinary women, they are always lauded by their sons and daughters because of the sacrifices they make for their families.

Calls for Action as Iranian Baha'i Leaders Enter Third Year in Prison

May 10, 2010, NEW YORK – As seven Baha'i leaders in Iran enter their third year of imprisonment, new details about the harsh conditions of their incarceration have emerged, renewing calls for their immediate release. The prisoners are Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm. "These innocent Baha'is have now been locked up for two full years in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, under conditions which clearly violate international standards," said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.

Foreign Workers' Outreach Comforts Hearts, Sows Gospel Seeds

May 9, 2010 – "The old adage says you must depend on friends when you're away from home. We just want to introduce Jesus, the best friend in the world, to our friends living far away from home," said Chen Chi-yun, a staff from Gideon 300 Evangelical Association. On May 2, Gideon 300 and other organizations staged a concert in a plaza near the rear exit of Taoyuan Train Station. The concert was especially designed to attract foreign workers living in Taiwan and drew approximately 200 people, most of them Vietnamese. Besides listening bands perform gospel songs, the audience was also treated to an array of hot food.

Malaysians Establish Lutheran Pregnancy Resource Center

May 13, 2010 – LCMS Life Ministries, a ministry of LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC), is partnering with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM), to offer care and counseling to women who believe abortion or "baby dumping" are their only options. WR-HC awarded a $24,000 one-year startup grant in April to the ELCM to establish a Lutheran pregnancy resource center in Asia. The Women's Care and Counseling Centre will provide positive life choices and real hope for women by offering health care and referrals, housing and material goods assistance, adoption services, support groups, mentors and peer counseling, parenting classes, and the love and forgiveness of the Gospel.

WCC Living Letters Team to Visit Nigeria

May 10, 2010 – A Living Letters team of the World Council of Churches (WCC) will pay a solidarity visit to Nigeria from 15-20 May 2010. The ecumenical team will visit one of the most conflict-affected areas, in and around the city of Jos in the Central Plateau State, a region where several hundred people were killed in inter-ethnic clashes in recent months. They will also meet heads of churches in the capital city Abuja, as well as leading Muslim personalities involved in peace and reconciliation efforts in the country.

It Is Time to Talk about the Rights of "Climate Refugees"

May 10, 2010 – The international tug-of-war over carbon emission thresholds and other instruments meant to limit the deterioration of the earth's climate has caused a big stir in recent months, but yielded little results. Therefore the international community must now get ready to take care of those who will be forced from their homes by climate change. As the global climate changes, millions of people will be uprooted by sea-level rise, extreme weather events, droughts and water scarcity.

Former Premier Reaches out to Death-Row Inmates, Shares Gospel

May 9, 2010 – Taiwan's Ministry of Justice executed 4 inmates on death row on April 30, citing it was administering existing laws. These executions drew sharp criticism from both European Union and Amnesty International for the Ma administration. According to reports, former Premier Chang Chun-hsiung visited these inmates in April and also requested to visit all inmates on death row as soon as possible so that he could share the gospel with them Chang encouraged all death-row inmates to apologize to their victims because the death penalty could not restore relationships or undo damages. Instead, only sincere apologies could heal the hearts of victims and their families.

"Rethinking Prosperity" Is Topic for Panel at UN

May 12, 2010, NEW YORK – Professor Tim Jackson doesn't hold back when describing today's consumer culture: "We are encouraged to spend money we don't have, on things we don't need, to create impressions that don't last, on people we don't care about." Professor Jackson, a member of the Sustainable Development Commission of the United Kingdom, made his comments at a panel discussion held this week in conjunction with the current session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.

UCC Ministers Participate as Philippine Election Observers

May 11, 2010 – Two United Church of Christ pastors were part of the People's International Observers' Mission delegation that monitored Philippine elections. In a country that has reported widespread fraud in previous presidential races, Philippine officials and international observers are reporting "no major discrepancies" in the 2010 election process. Senator Benigno Aquino III, the son of former president Corazon Aquino, received over 40 percent of the votes after 80 percent of precincts had reported May 11. Voter turnout was high and 75 percent of the 50 million eligible voters had cast ballots according to the Election Commission.

Middle East News

Consultative Meeting Will Promote Justice Tourism for Pilgrims to Palestine-Israel

May 12, 2010 – While seeing holy sites and ancient structures remains popular for Christian tourists visiting the Holy Land, there is an emerging concern that Christian tourists have an ethical obligation to engage with the people living there, to become witnesses to their struggle for freedom, human dignity, equality, justice and peace. To promote and bolster this message, theologians, peace advocates and justice tourism activists will gather in Chavannes-de-Bogis (Geneva) 18-21 May for a consultative meeting aimed at consolidating a "theology of pilgrimage for Palestine-Israel."

Churches and Peacemakers Unite in Prayer, Education and Advocacy for Peace in Palestine-Israel

May 12, 2010 – In countries across six continents, a wide diversity of religious communities, people of faith, human rights and peace organizations are preparing to mark the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel. The World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, an initiative of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches, will take place from 29 May to 4 June 2010. The aim of World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel is to encourage concerned communities and individuals to make a common witness by participating in worship, educational events and acts of advocacy in support of a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis.

Peace Fellowship Supports Economic Sanctions for Middle East Peace
Divestment Strategy ‘Dangerously Unhelpful,' Washington Bishop Says

May 12, 2010 – The National Executive Council of Episcopal Peace Fellowship has issued a statement in support of economic sanctions and divestment strategies that it believes "can inspire a more useful dialog and negotiation towards a just and lasting peace in the Middle East." But Bishop John Bryson Chane of Washington, a member of EPF since 1969, told ENS May 12 that such a strategy is "flawed and dangerously unhelpful at this particular time in history" and would "further hurt the critical development of the economy of Palestine and increase the marginalization of the Palestinian people."

People in the News

Archbishop Demetrios to Chair First Assembly Of
Canonical Orthodox Hierarchs in North and Central America

May 14, 2010, NEW YORK – More than 50 hierarchs will take part in the first Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in North and Central America, to be convened by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America in New York City, May 26-28. This Assembly is the result of the decision of the Fourth Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference, which met in Chambésy Switzerland in June of 2009, after the extraordinary Synaxis of all the Heads of the Autocephalous Churches convened by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.