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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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September 17, 2010, CHIANG MAI, Thailand/GENEVA – A group of leading Buddhist and Christians has underscored the urgency for faith communities to engage with government and financial institutions to transform personal and structural greed and help promote the equitable distribution of wealth. Thirty leaders, scholars, economists and activists from the two faith groups meeting under the auspices of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) affirmed that Buddhists and Christians shared similar teachings on greed, which should constitute the basis for engaging today's economic crisis. . Religious Organizations Call for Investigation of Alleged Medical Experiments on Detainees September 17, 2010, WASHINGTON – Twenty religious organizations, led by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT), are calling on Congress and President Obama to ensure a thorough investigation into allegations that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) engaged in illegal and unethical human subject research and experimentation on detainees after 9/11 and to make the findings public. The allegations were contained in a report released last month by the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR). This action follows a recent decision by the Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to decline to investigate the original complaint filed by PHR, NRCAT, twenty religious organizations and various human rights organizations. September 17, 2010 – A new inter-religious partnership for health will be kick-started at the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Review Summit in New York, 20-22 September. A small delegation of six faith-based leaders representing a wide spectrum of religious practice and public health experience will convey their collective concern for the well-being of society and their support for the UN-sponsored Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health. Their presence at the summit and at a two-day side event on Religion, Faith and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), which will take place on 20-21 September and is organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in partnership with Religions for Peace and the UN Millennium Campaign, will mark the beginning of a 5-year effort by the WCC and inter-religious partners to promote women's and children's health in various countries. September 16, 2010, WASHINGTON – The U.S. Census Bureau reported today that the number of Americans living in poverty has climbed to 14.3 percent, and the National Council of Churches called upon the government to take action. "Direct measures need to be taken to assure that even after economic prosperity is restored that vulnerable populations aren't left behind in the recovery," said the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, NCC general secretary. The rise in the number of persons living in poverty has been attributed to the economic downturn of the past two years. The Census Bureau reported that about 43.6 million people, or 1 in 7, were in poverty last year – up from 39.8 million, or 13.2 percent, in 2008. INDIA: Churches in Appeal for Christians Targeted in Quran Protests September 14, 2010 – Churches in India are asking for support after Christian institutions became the target of violent protests linked to the reported desecration of a copy of the Quran in the United States. At least 16 people were killed and more than 60 injured in clashes on Sept. 13 with security personnel in India-ruled Kashmir. Most of those people were killed after police opened fire to quell violent mobs, S. S. Kapur, the chief secretary, or highest official, of Jammu and Kashmir state, told media. Kapur said the crowds had come out on to the streets after a "foreign" television station had reported that a copy of the Quran had been desecrated in the United States. 2011 Anglican Communion Primates' Meeting to Be Held in Ireland September 16, 2010 – The next Primates' Meeting of the Anglican Communion will be held in Ireland between the 25th and 31st January, 2011. Senior bishops from Churches across the Communion will be invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams to attend the meeting taking place at the Emmaus Retreat & Conference Centre in Dublin, Ireland. The Primates' Meeting was established in 1978 by Archbishop Donald Coggan (101st Archbishop of Canterbury) as an opportunity for "leisurely thought, prayer and deep consultation" and has met regularly since then. Bishops: Custodians of the Church September 13, 2010, VATICAN CITY – A hundred and twenty recently-appointed bishops from various countries, currently participating in an annual congress promoted by the Congregation for Bishops, were received today by the Holy Father who began his remarks to them by greeting Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., the new prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. In his address to them the Pope referred to the "important custom" of new bishops making a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Peter, "who conformed himself to Christ, Teacher and Shepherd, until death and death on the cross." Fistula Stories Announces Launch of Multi-Faith Resources September 14, 2010, NEW YORK – Fistula Stories, a project of Women's Ministries at the National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA, will expand its curriculum to include studies of texts from other faiths. The Curriculum, currently in its second year of distribution, has until now focused on the connections between Christian faith and action, helping Christians to become advocates for an end to obstetric fistula. Ann Tiemeyer, Program Director for Women's Ministries at the NCC, believes that the additions of multi-faith perspectives will enrich the study for both Christians and people of other faiths. Reopening of the Vatican Apostolic Library September 13, 2010, VATICAN CITY – Following three years of restoration work, the Vatican Apostolic Library is due to reopen its doors on 20 September. The announcement was made in a press conference, held this morning in the Sistine Hall of the Vatican Museums and presented by Cardinal Raffaele Farina S.D.B., archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church; Msgr. Cesare Pasini, prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library; Pier Carlo Cuscianna, director of Technical Services of the Governorate of Vatican City State; Giovanni Giavazzi, president of the "Italcementi" Foundation, and Gennaro Guala, also of "Italcementi," the company which undertook the restoration work. VIRGINIA: Diocese Plans Listening Sessions on Same-Gender Blessings September 14, 2010 – The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia plans to hold five sessions in the next several weeks titled "Listen and Be Heard: Faithful Sexuality and the Blessing of Same-Gender Unions." Bishop Shannon Johnston said in a Sept. 14 letter to the diocese that he has heard a variety of responses since he first called for the sessions during his 2010 convention address. "I have heard from people who feel that this is all about liberalism and who simply cannot believe that we would even have such discussions in the first place," Johnston said in his letter. ELCA Congregation in New York Goes Solar September 14, 2010, NEW YORK – Emanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasantville, N.Y., is the first congregation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Metropolitan New York Synod to go solar by installing photovoltaic panels on the church's roof. The panels will be dedicated on Oct. 24, Emanuel's "Bring-A-Friend" Sunday. "Now that we see the solar panels in place, actually working, they've become something we're very proud of," said the Rev. Paul T. Egensteiner, pastor of Emanuel. "It sends the message to the community that the church cares about the environment and that we can be on the cutting edge of that care. The neighborhood has responded very positively," said Egensteiner. ELCA to Receive Three Pastors Through ‘Rite of Reception' Sept. 18 September 17, 2010, CHICAGO – Three pastors with historic ties to the struggle for inclusiveness in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will be welcomed for the first time to the church's clergy roster when they participate in the church's "Rite of Reception" Sept. 18. The Rev. Anita C. Hill, the Rev. Phyllis Zillhart and the Rev. Ruth Frost will be received at a worship service at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul, Minn. All were part of well-known "extraordinary" ordinations and have been on the clergy roster of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, Chicago. Frost, Hill and Zillhart became eligible for reception onto the ELCA clergy roster this year. SOUTH CAROLINA: Diocese Proposes Resolutions to ‘Protect' Itself September 16, 2010 – Each of six proposed convention resolutions in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina "represents an essential element of how we protect the diocese from any attempt at un-constitutional intrusions into our corporate life in South Carolina," the diocese says. An explanation on the diocese's homepage says all of the resolutions come in response to the General Convention's 2009 passage of revised Title IV canons on clergy discipline which were approved (via Resolution A185). Korean Clergywomen Transcend Barriers September 15, 2010 – The Rev. Myungim Kim anticipates the day when a Korean clergywoman will become a United Methodist bishop. Until that time, she is doing her part to raise awareness about the "sacrifice and courage" these clergywomen demonstrate day-to-day in their ministries. Many of their stories are chronicled in a new book, "The Holy Seed of Calling: Korean-American Clergywomen's Journey Toward Ordination." Road Trip with a Side of Service September 14, 2010 – One of the most significant parts of the "American Dream" is taking the big cross-country road trip. Just hopping in the car and driving, seeing all this country has to offer, sleeping in the car, eating at roadside diners and building friendships evoke the romance of the open road. That dream doesn't usually involve making the trip on bicycles. Or building houses, for that matter. Unless you belong to Bike & Build. Bike & Build is a unique combination of service and adventure. The Philadelphia-based, nonprofit organization raises both money and awareness for the affordable housing crisis in America by empowering youth to a life of servitude. The organization has eight cross-country cycling routes that allow 32 riders per route to cycle across the country from east to west. Ecumenism Alive and Well as Pope Benedict XVI Visits Edinburgh September 15, 2010 – On the eve of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom, three stalwarts of Scottish ecumenism and the "churches together" movement met on Tuesday evening to assess church relations today. The three church leaders were Archbishop Mario Conti (Roman Catholic archbishop of Glasgow), Christine Davis (Religious Society of Friends / Quakers) and the Rev. Dr Sheilagh Kesting (ecumenical officer of the Church of Scotland and former moderator of its General Assembly). They shared reflections about the successes, disappointments and hopes of churches working together in the nation. The Fraternal Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Archbishop Rowan Williams September 17, 2010 – His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will today visit His Grace Archbishop Rowan Williams at the Archbishop's London home, Lambeth Palace. Together they will address a meeting of Anglican and Roman Catholic Diocesan Bishops from England, Scotland and Wales in the Great Hall of the Archbishop's Library. Recalling fifty years of significant meetings between successive popes and archbishops of Canterbury, Archbishop Williams will welcome Pope Benedict to Lambeth Palace before leading the bishops in an opening prayer. In his address to the bishops (full text below), Dr Williams will stress the wider spiritual and missionary context in which ecumenical dialogue and growth in unity must take place. Pope's Visit Aimed at Easing Tensions with Anglicans September 17, 2010, LONDON – Historic tensions and a modern row over women bishops will simmer beneath Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Britain, despite efforts to use the trip as an opportunity for rapprochement with Anglicans. On the first papal state visit to the country since King Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic faith in 1534, Pope Benedict XVI will make a series of deeply symbolic gestures towards the Church of England. The pope will attend a service on Friday at London's historic Westminster Abbey – where monarchs are crowned – led by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the spiritual leader of the world's Anglicans. Foro Congrega Seminarios Teológicos De América Latina Y Del Caribe 16 septiembre 2010, COCHABAMBA, Bolivia – Representantes de asociaciones de seminarios teológicos nacionales y regionales crearon el pasado sábado, 11, en reunión en esta ciudad, el Foro de Educación Teológica Ecuménica de América Latina y del Caribe (Fetelac), con el propósito de abrir un espacio común de diálogo, racionalizar iniciativas y recursos evitando duplicación de tareas. Con el nuevo organismo, quedan extintos los Foros de Asociaciones Teológicas de América Latina y el Foro de Seminarios del Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (Clai), que se suman al Fetelac. En El Día De Oración Por La Paz, Invitan a Inspírarse En Las Iglesias Africanas 17 septiembre 2010, GINEBRA, Suiza – El Día Internacional de Oración por la Paz de este año, el 21 de septiembre, presenta a iglesias africanas que trabajan por la construcción de la paz en y entre diversas comunidades. El Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) invita a los cristianos y a las iglesias a observar este día con oraciones y liturgias y a prestar una atención particular a los proyectos por la paz en África. En Pocos Días Se Conocerán Los Resultados Del Monitoreo Global De Medios 17 septiembre 2010, ARGENTINA – El informe del Proyecto de Monitoreo Global de Medios (GMMP, por sus siglas en inglés) será lanzado el próximo 29 de septiembre. El GMMP es la investigación mundial más grande y extensa, además de una iniciativa para la promoción de género en los medios noticiosos mundiales. La investigación de monitoreo con una perspectiva de género se ha realizado cada cinco años desde 1995, promovido desde la Asociación Mundial para la Comunicación Cristiana. Obispo Considera Precipitada Decisión De Retirar a Representante De La OEA 14 septiembre 2010, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – El presidente de la Conferencia Episcopal de Nicaragua, el obispo de Managua Leopoldo Brenes, dijo, este fin de semana que acaba de concluir, que la decisión del gobierno de Daniel Ortega de retirar al representante de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA), Pedro Vuskovic, por haber recibido al misionero católico Roberto Boschi supuestamente, es triste, porque ahora los embajadores va a andarse con cuidado si alguien les pide una audiencia. La Iglesia Evangélica Metodista Argentina Dijo Presente 17 septiembre 2010, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – La iglesia Evangélica Metodista Argentina (IEMA) se hizo presente en la audiencia pública que se realizó en el Congreso nacional donde se debate acerca de la producción y comercialización de Papel Prensa. La comunicadora Dafne Sabanes Plou expresó en nombre de esa comunidad, el apoyo al tratamiento parlamentario de la declaración de interés público a la producción y comercialización del papel prensa, "con la expectativa de garantizar condiciones justas e igualitarias para todos los periódicos del país." Proponen Que El Racismo Sea Considerado Delito 16 septiembre 2010, COLOMBIA – Un proyecto de Ley de autoría del Movimiento Político MIRA busca penalizar toda manifestación de racismo y discriminación racial en el país, ello con el fin de garantizar los derechos de la población afrocolombiana, negra, palenquera y raizal que ocupa buena parte del territorio nacional, y que a pesar del transcurrir del tiempo y de la búsqueda de una igualdad siguen padeciendo el flagelo de la discriminación, dio a conocer la oficina de prensa del movimiento. El Día De Oración Por La Paz, Inspírense De Las Iglesias Africanas 16 septiembre 2010 – El Día Internacional de Oración por la Paz de este año, el 21 de septiembre, presenta a iglesias africanas que trabajan por la construcción de la paz en y entre diversas comunidades. El Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) invita a los cristianos y a las iglesias a observar este día con oraciones y liturgias y a prestar una atención particular a los proyectos por la paz en África. Dirigentes de las iglesias africanas y el secretario general del CMI observarán este día con oraciones y un culto en Nairobi. Gays Reclaman En Su Congreso Libertad Y Empleo 16 septiembre 2010, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Quinientos miembros de la Comunidad de Diversidad Sexual del departamento de Carazo, a 45 kilómetros al sur de esta capital, en la celebración de su primer congreso defendieron la equidad de género y la sexualidad, además de discutir acerca de la continua lucha por rescatar sus derechos frente a las discriminaciones institucionales, del sector empresarial y la sociedad toda. José Daniel Rivera Dávila, coordinador del congreso, dijo estar muy satisfecho por el éxito del evento, cuando San Marcos es el primer municipio de Carazo organizado en tal sentido con estatutos y un reglamento para reclamar los derechos de estas personas en cuanto a igualdad de identidad y personalidad. September 15, 2010, DOUGLAS, Arizona – The names of those who died trying to cross the desert rang out against the hum of rush hour traffic Sept. 14 as a procession of 60 bishops of the Episcopal Church, their spouses and others moved along the Pan American Highway here toward the Mexican border. "Marta Yolanda Gonzalez Piñeada." "Juan Eduardo Gomez Lopez." House of Bishops to Consider Immigration, Evangelism During Fall Gathering in Phoenix September 13, 2010 – Issues of immigration and evangelism will top the agenda as more than 100 bishops of the Episcopal Church gather Sept. 16-21 in Phoenix for their annual fall meeting, themed "Changing Contexts for God's Mission: What is the New Invitation?" The bishops also are expected to discuss congregational development and mission, all within a context of prayer, Bible study and worship. Lutherans Join Community Response to California Explosion September 14, 2010, CHICAGO – The Rev. Gail W. Cromack returned Sept. 13 to Peace Lutheran Church, San Bruno, Calif., for the first time since last week's explosion and fire in a neighborhood there. The church building was not damaged and members are safe, she said. Peace Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It is located about one block from the explosion site. "It's absolutely devastating. The neighborhood looks like a war zone," Cromack told the ELCA News Service. Nearly 40 homes were destroyed in the explosion and fire. U.S. Poverty Increase Is a Church Concern September 17, 2010 – The number of Americans living in poverty has climbed, and The United Methodist Church is looking for ways to help. A report released Sept. 16 by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 14.3 percent of the population in 2009 lived in poverty, up from 13.2 percent the previous year. "The new census bureau figures are distressing in a country as creative and prosperous as the United States," said Thomas Kemper, chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. "However, we are not surprised because our work puts us in touch with many of those who are the faces behind the statistics." Belgian Church Report Says Abuse Was in Almost Every Institution September 13, 2010 – A Belgian Catholic Church-backed commission has found that almost every institution, every school, particularly boarding schools, at one time harboured cases of sex abuse. The commission reported testimony from 475 cases of alleged sex abuse involving more than 100 victims, 13 of whom were driven to suicide. The testimony from victims of clergy and church workers reveals 13 suicides and six attempted suicides "in relation to sexual abuse by a cleric," said the report published by the Commission on Church-related Sexual Abuse Complaints, set up by the Church, said an AFP report on ABC. Leaders of the Anglican Communion Speak out Against Proposed Quran Burning September 10, 2010 – Senior bishops right across the Anglican Communion have spoken out against plans by a small Florida church to burn copies of the Quran. The leaders, many in countries with sizeable Muslim populations, spoke out against the burning, labelling the proposed act as "disastrous," "ugly" and "deeply deplorable." Bishops from countries including Nigeria, England, Jerusalem, Egypt and Sudan all criticised the proposal of Terry Jones, leader of the previously little-known Dove World Outreach Centre in Gainesville in Florida, to burn hundreds of copies of the Quran. Dr. Alexander John Malik, Bishop of Lahore in Pakistan said, "Muslims should take it as an individual act of a man who was bent upon defaming Christianity." Moses Kulaba, NCA Tanzania, at the United Nations Office in Geneva September 16, 2010 – Sometimes, to get clean water supplies to a village in Tanzania, direct action is needed. So says Moses Kulaba, a programme officer on accountable governance with Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), based in the south of the East African country. He recalls how in Ilula in south-eastern Tanzania a corrupt retired army colonel was the local water official, controlling access and resale of water to the local population. Villagers then organized themselves to discover what was happening to their water supplies and to call the corrupt army officer to account. Churches Provide Financial Aid to Help Students Pay Tuition September 12, 2010 – It's the start of another school year and the time of the year when many parents are scrambling to make ends meet and wondering once again how they will manage to afford their children's tuition fees this year in eye of the ever-increasing economic disparity between Taiwan's richest and poorest. To help some 42,000 financially struggling students across Taiwan go to school, World Vision has begun a campaign to provide them with bursaries so they don't give up their schooling simply because they cannot afford it. Call to Protect Christians after "Most Beautiful School" Lost to Quran Anger Violence September 15, 2010, INDIA – The Bishop of Amritsar has called on the President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil to protect Christians in northern India after a mob burned down the oldest school in Kashmir and also attacked other Christian institutions. The Church of North India's Rt Revd Pradeep Kumar Samantaroy, wrote that it was "with a heavy heart" that he informed the President of the complete destruction of the Tungmarg Tyndale Biscoe branch school that provided "quality education to five hundred fifty children from one hundred fifty villages around Tangmarg." On Day of Prayer for Peace, Take Inspiration from African Churches September 14, 2010 – This year's International Day of Prayer for Peace, 21 September, features African churches working to build peace within and between diverse communities. The World Council of Churches (WCC) invites Christians and churches to observe the day with prayers and liturgies and to give special attention to peace projects in Africa. African church leaders and the WCC general secretary will observe the day with prayer and worship in Nairobi. The peace prayer day, on the same date as the United Nations' International Day of Peace, is an initiative of the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence. Church Commissioned to Train College Advisors in Time for Back-to-School Orientation September 12, 2010 – As National Chung-Cheng University in Chiayi got ready to welcome new and returning students this fall, Wu-Jie Presbyterian Church in I-lan was once again tapped by school officials to train guidance counselors in preparation for helping new students during the opening weeks of fall semester orientation programs. This is the 3rd year in a row that Chung-Cheng University has asked the church for help in training college guidance counselors. A training camp was held from September 14, 2010, attended by about 20 guidance counselors. According to reports, Chung-Cheng University places a great deal of emphasis on having trained guidance counselors on staff. Support for Iran's Seven Imprisoned Baha'i Leaders Spreads Worldwide September 16, 2010, GENEVA – The call to release seven Iranian Baha'i leaders – whose prison sentences have reportedly been reduced to 10-years each – is spreading around the world. Prominent figures in India, medical professionals in Austria, a Muslim leader in El Salvador and human rights activists in Germany have added their voices to the concern already expressed by numerous governments and non-governmental organizations who have publicly condemned the sentences. In an open letter, 31 leading figures from India's religious communities, judiciary, civil society organizations and academia, wrote that the "only crime that these seven individuals – two women and five men, the oldest among them being 77 years old – have committed is that they are Baha'is. Seven Stars Presbytery Sets 10-year Plan on Eve of 60th Anniversary September 12, 2010 – As Seven Stars Presbytery will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year, many pastors gathered on August 30-31, 2010, in Hsinchu to get a head start on finding new ways to make this anniversary meaningful. A forum outlining the presbytery's future goals and strategies was held during this gathering and pastors discussed how to align these goals with PCT's "One-leads-One Doubling Movement." Seven Stars Presbytery currently boasts 81 churches and there are plans to start another church in the near future, increasing the total count to 82. Scottish Ecumenical Centre Highlighted During WCC Executive Committee Meeting September 15, 2010 – In August 1960 the World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee met in Scotland and during their visit unveiled an Oikoumene plaque to honour the opening of a local ecumenical centre, the Scottish Churches House, in Dunblane. Fifty years later, 13 September 2010, members of the WCC Executive Committee once again visited this vital ecumenical conference centre located between Edinburgh and Glasgow. This year the centre is also celebrating its 50th anniversary and continuing role as an ecumenical beacon in Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole. Trained PCT Volunteers Needed in Domestic Missions and Outreach September 12, 2010 – PCT is increasingly devoting attention and resources to volunteering as a means of sharing the gospel and doing domestic missions. This trend began in the aftermath of the 921 Earthquake in 1999 and peaked again in the wake of Typhoon Morakot in August 2009. After experiencing severe natural disasters and seeing so many Christians step up to the plate in response, PCT realized that volunteers needed a set of standard operational procedures and a streamlined system so that rescue and relief efforts could be more effective and professional. September 15, 2010 – The bishop of Amritsar has called on India's President Pratibha Devisingh Patil to protect Christians in northern India after a mob burned down the oldest school in Kashmir and also attacked other Christian institutions on Sept. 13. The Church of North India's Bishop Pradeep Kumar Samantaroy wrote in a letter to the president that it was "with a heavy heart" that he reported the complete destruction of the Tangmarg Tyndale Biscoe branch school that provided "quality education to 550 children from 150 villages around Tangmarg," according to the Anglican Communion News Service. September 16, 2010, GENEVA, 16 September 2010 (LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has welcomed the appointment of former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet as head of the new United Nations agency, UN Women, saying it gives gender equality a high profile. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon named Bachelet to the post on 14 September. She was the first female president of Chile, and she is well known for her commitment to the pursuit of gender justice. |
