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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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In a (Real) New York State of Mind August 18, 2010, NEW YORK – Into the usual place came a surprising voice. At a Disciples of Christ pulpit on Manhattan's Upper East Side, a rabbi preached tolerance of an Islamic center being planned near Ground Zero. A congregation known for its commitment to justice and diversity applauded his endorsement of religious freedom. In a city where 2 million Jews and 775,000 Muslims live side by side without incident, religious tolerance has broad acceptance. Bigots and fear-mongering politicians beyond the Hudson River might be feasting on New York City's debate over the Cordoba House mosque, but they do so without any awareness of how much religious and racial tolerance mean in this melting pot, where 170 languages are spoken and more than one-third of residents were born outside the U.S. Border School Strengthens Spirits August 20, 2010 – Ernesto Velazquez Pinela is aware of the sacrifice his mother made for him. She was nine months pregnant, waiting in a line to cross the border from Juárez, Mexico, to El Paso, Texas, on July 21, 1992, when her water broke. Instead of leaving, she waited another two hours, slowly advancing in the line, before someone came and took her to the hospital to give birth to her son. "I cannot describe the words to thank my mother for what she did for me," said Pinela, now 18, a senior who graduated from Lydia Patterson Institute, a United Methodist-related school in El Paso. United Methodists Address Mosque Conflicts August 19, 2010 – Each year, on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Rev. Myrna Bethke has visited the World Trade Center site to remember her brother who perished in the towers that day. The United Methodist pastor does not blame Islam for those attacks or her family's loss. She associates the faith with the Muslims she has joined for interfaith Thanksgiving services and the mosque that welcomes visits from her confirmation students. "This, to me, is Islam," she said, "not the people who got together and decided to hijack the religion as they hijacked the planes." Church Schools among ‘Best Colleges' August 20, 2010 – A broad range of programs, a focus on community leadership and service and a diverse student body set some United Methodist colleges and universities above their peers. Several of the denomination's 93 four-year colleges and universities earned top grades in The U.S. News and World Report's annual list of "Best Colleges" in the United States. The magazine rated some 1,400 colleges and universities in various categories. Episcopalians Expand Summer Camps Ministering to Children of the Incarcerated August 20, 2010 – The Rev. Christopher Johnson, the Episcopal Church's officer for social and economic justice, went to opposite corners of the United States early in August to discern how the church can support and strengthen the summer camp ministry to children who have lost a parent to a prison cell. First, he traveled to the Diocese of Rio Grande in New Mexico, and met with the Rev. Stephen Caldwell, who founded Camp Grace there in 1995. Caldwell had attended a 1994 prison ministry conference in Indiana led by the Rev. Jackie Means, then director of prison ministry for the church. He asked her what more should be done in that ministry and she responded: "We need camps for the kids." Church Growth Often Requires Starting Small August 18, 2010, ROSCOE, Ill. – Gladys Hibbard drove down Main Street, past the brick United Methodist church with the pristine yard, many times a week. "I ought to give that church a try," she thought to herself many times. But she never did. Then she discovered a friend and her spouse belonged to the congregation. Parishioners, Priest from Closed St. Peter Catholic Church August 16, 2010, CLEVELAND, Ohio – Defying the authority of their bishop, parishioners and their priest from the closed St. Peter Catholic Church in downtown Cleveland celebrated Mass Sunday in leased commercial space they transformed into a church independent of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. The move by the new Community of St. Peter puts members in danger of excommunication because they had been warned by Bishop Richard Lennon, who shuttered St. Peter's in April, not to hold worship services in places without his approval. Still, about 350 people, joined by their spiritual leader, the Rev. Robert Marrone, gathered for their first Mass and communion in their new home – a newly renovated, century-old building on Euclid Avenue and East 71st Street. Renegade Priest Leads a Split St. Louis Parish August 13, 2010, ST. LOUIS – Some say he is on a mission from God. Others say he is the devil. But no matter whom you ask in this city's tight-knit community of Polish Catholics, the name of Marek Bozek is seldom met with a shrug. To supporters he is a holy man who has risked his soul's damnation to rescue St. Stanislaus Kostka church during a long-running dispute over financial control with the Archdiocese of St. Louis. To detractors he is a charlatan – a disgraced priest who has wrested command of the parish and ushered in a vision of Roman Catholicism so progressive as to be unrecognizable to the faithful. Pennsylvania Bishop Says He's Listening to Lay, Clergy Leaders August 17, 2010 – Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Bishop Charles Bennison said Aug. 17 that since he returned to the diocesan offices the day before he has "concentrated on listening." "I have learned a great deal, and my listening has been very productive," Bennison said in a statement emailed to Episcopal News Service by Ceisler Media and Issue Advocacy, a Philadelphia media relations firm. The bishop said that he met with diocesan Assisting Bishop Rodney Michel and asked him to remain in his position "indefinitely." Islam Not Equal to Christianity in Germany, Observes Lehman Christa Pongratz-Lippitt August 21, 2010 – Cardinal Karl Lehmann has insisted that Islam cannot be declared "completely equal" to Christianity in Germany. The former head of the German bishops' conference was speaking in an interview with the Austrian daily the Salzburger Nachrichten. In Salzburg to receive the Tolerance Award of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts on 15 August, Cardinal Lehmann said: "Naturally Islam should be recognised as a legitimate religion in our society, but declaring it completely equal [to the Christian Churches] would mean assuming that it had had the same history and inculturation and was therefore in exactly the same situation. This can at most be a process during which Islam puts down firmer roots in our country." Taize Leader Emphasizes Importance of Ecumenism and Trust August 18, 2010 – The importance of trust would be on founder Br. Roger's mind if he were at Taize's celebrations this weekend. The founder's successor as head of the ecumenical Taize community, Brother Alois, spoke with CNA about ecumenism, the close relationship of the Popes with the community and shared some of the founder's final thoughts. German Br. Alois Leser is the Catholic prior of this France-based community which accepts people of all backgrounds, particularly Christian, to participate in spiritual activities. Working on the front lines for Christian unity, the group brings Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics together for shared reflections on the Word of God and his plan for each person. Construir Una Cultura De Paz En Jamaica 18 agosto 2010 – La Convocatoria Ecuménica Internacional por la Paz (CEIP), que se celebrará en la capital de Jamaica, Kingston, en mayo de 2011, será un testimonio de solidaridad en favor de la cultura de paz que las iglesias están tratando de construir en la isla, afirmó el pastor Dr. Paul Gardner, presidente del Consejo de Iglesias de Jamaica, uno de los anfitriones del evento. El Luteranismo Avanza En El Tercer Mundo 20 agosto 2010, SAN LEOPOLDO, Brasil – Interesado en investigar la expresión del luteranismo en un contexto global, el teólogo Vítor Westhelle acredita que en los próximos diez años la mayoría de los luteranos están viviendo al sur del Ecuador, región que concentra 60% de todos los cristianos del mundo. "Esa situación impone nuevos desafíos para la Teología en la medida en que los cristianos están disputando espacio con otras religiones," puntúo Vítor. 17 agosto 2010, SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica – La aversión a la homosexualidad, y la violencia que la acompaña, no parecen originarse en ideologías políticas o en el carácter revolucionario o reaccionario de sus agentes, cuanto en "doctrinas religiosas de poder transformadas en sensibilidad cultural y ‘naturalizadas'" afirma el politólogo Helio Gallardo. En un artículo de opinión conocido aquí por ALC, el politólogo plantea que mientras en Arabia Saudita son legales castigos corporales y el vínculo homosexual puede castigarse incluso con la pena de muerte, en Nicaragua la homosexualidad constituye un delito castigado con cárcel. Etnias Mayangna Luchan Por El Rescate De Su Lengua 20 agosto 2010, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – El pueblo de mayangna, que habita en 66 comunidades de las regiones autóctonas de la costa Caribe norte y sur de Nicaragua, lucha por preservar su lengua tuaka y la panamatika. Una investigación acerca del conocimiento del mundo mayangna y su convivencia con la naturaleza, fue presentada en esta capital, por un grupo de investigadores, en conferencia de prensa convocada. Empresa Desarrolla Filtro Que Evita Sitios Religiosos 19 agosto 2010, NUEVA YORK – La empresa estadunidense GodBlock desarrolla un filtro, del mismo nombre que, instalado en computadores, bloquea la navegación por sitios de cuño religioso en internet. El filtro testea cada página, antes que ella sea cargada en la computadora, verificando si en ella existen pasajes de textos sagrados, nombres de figuras religiosas u otros indicativos de propaganda religiosa. Parejas Del Mismo Sexo Ya Pueden Adoptar En El Distrito Federal 18 agosto 2010, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – La Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación declaró constitucionales las reformas que permiten la adopción de menores por parte de parejas del mismo sexo en el Distrito Federal, medida que tiene validez a escala nacional. Los ministros hicieron un llamado para que se intensifiquen políticas públicas que promuevan la tolerancia y el respeto, pues son la base de un Estado laico. Líderes Ecuménicos De Los Estados Unidos Visitaran Colombia, Venezuela Y Ecuador 18 agosto 2010, COLOMBIA – Lideres ecuménicos del Consejo Nacional de Iglesias de Cristo en los Estados Unidos (National Council of Churches of Christ, USA) y del Servicio Mundial de Iglesias de los Estados Unidos (Church World Service) realizarán una visita a Colombia, Venezuela y Ecuador los días 21 al 30 de agosto. Teólogas Y Pastoras Analizan La Realidad Y Nuevas Teologías En El Continente 18 agosto 2010, SAO PAULO, Brasil – Aproximadamente 40 teólogas y pastoras de las regiones de CLAI Brasil, Andina y Río de la Plata participaron del 28 al 30 de julio del Encuentro "Fortaleciendo y Tejiendo Nuestras Redes" en el Centro Otília Chaves – Facultad de Teología / UMESP, organizado por la Pastoral de Mujeres y Justicia de Género del Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (CLAI). "What Are Human Rights? – Shouldn't We All Know?" August 17, 2010, NEW YORK – "Only when we all know our human rights, can we have dignity, freedom and peace," said Michael Hall, speaking for the New York Branch of Youth for Human Rights, on the New York streets Saturday as part of a worldwide network of petitioning events. Youth for Human Rights is a worldwide network of groups in 88 countries, and YFHR volunteers and supporters held human rights petition drives from August 12 through August 15 in honor of the UN International Day of Youth. Lutherans to Mark Five-year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina Aug. 29 August 19, 2010, CHICAGO – The 4.5 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will mark the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina during Sunday worship Aug. 29, the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Worship and liturgical resources for the anniversary are available on the ELCA website. The people of the Gulf Coast taught an entire nation about "courage, perseverance and hope," said the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, director for Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). WCC Living Letters Team to Visit Indigenous Peoples of Australia August 19, 2010 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) is sending an international ecumenical Living Letters delegation to visit the Indigenous Peoples in the Northern Territories of Australia from 12 -17 September 2010. The visit is in response to an invitation extended by the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) to shed light on the human rights situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to show solidarity with the Indigenous people who feel their voices are not heard. Living Letters are small ecumenical teams which visit a country to listen, learn, share approaches and help to confront challenges in order to overcome violence, promote and pray for peace. Building a Culture of Peace in Jamaica August 17, 2010 – The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) in the Jamaican capital Kingston in May 2011 will be a testimony of solidarity for the culture of peace that churches are trying to build on the island, says the Rev. Dr Paul Gardner, the president of the Jamaica Council of Churches, one of the event's hosts. "It will give enthusiasm and momentum to the groups that are working assiduously for peace in the various communities, that's what I think it will do for Jamaica," said Gardner, who has been president of the Moravian Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands since 2005 and was elected president of the worldwide Moravian Church in 2008. BURUNDI: Anglican Church Celebrates 75 Years August 20, 2010 – The Anglican Church of Burundi kicked off its 75th anniversary celebrations during the Aug. 14-15 weekend with a service of thanksgiving and prayer at St. Luke's Cathedral in Gitega and a service of Holy Communion at St. Peter's Church in Buhiga. Bishop Nathan Kamusiime Gasatura of the Diocese of Butare in the Anglican Church of Rwanda reminded the congregation in Buhiga that "there was cause for celebration because of the dedication, commitment, and witness based on the Word of God of the first Christians. They set an example for future generations to follow," according to a press release from the Anglican Church of Burundi. Harsh Sentences Are a Judgment Against an Entire Religious Community August 15, 2010, NEW YORK – The harsh prison sentences handed down to seven Iranian Baha'i leaders who are absolutely innocent of any wrongdoing is a judgment against an entire religious community, the Baha'i International Community said today. Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi, whose Defenders of Human Rights Center represented the Baha'i defendants, said she was "stunned" by the reported 20-year jail terms. "I have read their case file page by page and did not find anything proving the accusations, nor did I find any document that could prove the claims of the prosecutor," said Mrs. Ebadi in a television interview, broadcast on 8 August by the Persian-language service of the BBC. August 17, 2010, NEW YORK – Church World Service officials urged a more robust response from the international donor community to Pakistan's devastating flooding disaster. The global relief and development agency voiced even deeper worries over whether or not pledges will be fulfilled. While the international community has so far committed close to US$229.5 million in support and another US$142 million in additional pledges, those pledge amounts alone are insufficient to cover even the initial three-month relief needs outlined by the United Nations, says Donna Derr, Director of Humanitarian Assistance for Church World Service. United Church Launches Emergency Appeal for Pakistan August 17, 2010, TORONTO – The United Church of Canada announced today that it is launching an emergency appeal for donations designated for flood relief and reconstruction in Pakistan. The United Church will receive donations to its Emergency Response Fund to be used by the ACT Alliance, a global network of 100 churches and church-related organizations that work together to provide humanitarian assistance and long-term development. ACT members in Pakistan are working diligently to deliver assistance including food, water, tents, kitchen kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and emergency medical care. Baha'i World News Service Publishes Special Report on Seven Iranian Baha'i Leaders August 15, 2010 – The Baha'i World News Service has published a special online report comprising articles and background information about the seven Iranian Baha'i leaders – their lives, their detention, trial and reported sentencing. The report includes a chronology of the milestones in the case, profiles of the seven prisoners, statements made by the United Nations General Assembly and Secretary-General, a collection of expressions of support by governments, organizations and prominent individuals, and background materials on the persecution of Iran's Bahai community. It also offers printable articles and photographs for news media and other uses. LWF Provides Disaster Relief in Pakistan August 18, 2010, GENEVA – Two Lutheran World Federation (LWF) disaster relief specialists have been deployed to Pakistan to assist the ACT Alliance in providing emergency assistance to the victims of the flooding that has devastated the country in recent weeks. Bed Bahadur Thapa and Netra Prasad Subedi, currently working with the LWF Department for World Service (DWS) program in Nepal, will arrive in Pakistan soon, said Dr. Colette Bouka-Coula, DWS acting director. Accordingly to ACT Alliance, floods across Pakistan triggered by monsoon rain have killed 1,600 people, forced 2 million from their homes and disrupted the lives of one in eight Pakistanis. SOUTHERN AFRICA: Archbishop Calls for End to Public Service Strike August 19, 2010, CAPE TOWN – South Africa's public service strike is hurting hospital patients and students, and the government and unions should act to end it, says the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town. Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Aug. 19 called for essential staff in institutions such as hospitals to return to work immediately. "Our country is facing a huge crisis at this moment," the archbishop said."Striking essential public service employees and educators are, however unintentionally, causing much anguish and even physical suffering." The Star newspaper reported Aug. 19 that six people, including two infants, died as militant strikers blockaded the Natalspruit Hospital in Ekurhuleni near Johannesburg, and striking public servants pledged to shut down government institutions. Tutu, Cardinal Urge South Africans to Oppose New Media Law August 20, 2010, CAPE TOWN – Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Roman Catholic Cardinal Wilfrid Napier are among hundreds of high-profile South Africans calling on their compatriots to oppose a proposed media law that critics say resembles apartheid legislation. In an unscripted speech on Aug. 18 at the Institute for Democracy in Cape Town, Tutu, who is due to retire from public life in October, challenged South Africans to fight for press freedom by mobilizing the spirit that made the 2010 soccer World Cup a success. Referring to the FIFA soccer competition, that South Africa hosted, and which ended in July, Tutu said, "We are on a high, or we were on a high. We were, all of us, on the same page." Lutherans Learn That Eight Tons of Stone Builds a Hospital August 20, 2010, CHICAGO – Imagine having your next board of directors meeting in a field, under a tree. The meeting includes delivering research reports, sharing blueprints and decision-making. This was the case for a group of people in Mumeya, Rwanda, for four years. Their efforts yielded a new health clinic that serves 17,000 adults and 13,000 children. Since 1970 the people of Mumeya have been promised water, schools and hospitals – three critical needs identified by the community. No one had delivered on those promises until the Rev. John Rutsindintwarane, general secretary, Lutheran Church of Rwanda, offered a different approach in 2006. ELCA Provides $235,000 for Disaster Recovery Efforts Overseas August 18, 2010, CHICAGO – In August 2010 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) allocated $235,000 to international church organizations and relief agencies working to reach families and individuals in need of services and supplies following natural disasters. Funds were allocated to meet the specific needs of people in Pakistan, China, Malawi and Uganda. His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher Dead at 82 August 20, 2010 CHICAGO – His Eminence Christopher, Metropolitan of Libertyville-Chicago and Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the U.S. and Canada, died Wednesday at the age of 82. The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, wrote to the church's episcopal council today to express "sadness and deepest condolences on the repose of Metropolitan Christopher of blessed memory." "We have upheld Metropolitan Christopher in our prayers since we learned of his grave illness," Kinnamon wrote on behalf of the NCC's 36 member communions. . August 19, 2010 – The London-based Sikh, who is also a Queen's Counsel, has been knighted in the Queen's New Year Honours List for "services to the Administration of Justice, Community Relations and to the Voluntary Sector." Sir Mota Singh said "I really feel little humbled. It is such a great honour. It means recognition of the services rendered to the British community at large," an elated Mota Singh, who is also a Queen's Counsel His decision to wear a white turban in court, instead of a wig, came to be seen as a sign of a multicultural Britain. |
