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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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November 11, 2011, WASHINGTON – The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon will remain at his post as National Council of Churches general secretary for an indefinite period, but he and the NCC Governing Board have begun a "process for a stable and grace-filled transition" as Kinnamon brings his tenure to a close. Kinnamon told the Governing Board this week that his cardiologist has advised him that the heavy travel schedule and other demands of his office are detrimental to his health. He signaled his intention to step down as soon as a transition process can be worked out. In a statement released Wednesday, the governing board said it "received the news with reverence and respect for Kinnamon's leadership of the council during the last four years" and many expressed ":a sense of loss and offered tributes of appreciation for his ministry." ELCA Bishop Visits White House to Discuss Israeli-Palestinian Conflict November 11, 2011, CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), attended a Nov. 8 meeting at the White House as part of a group of ecumenical faith leaders. They asked that the United States take a stronger stance in its opposition to the rapid expansion of Israeli settlement construction in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The construction threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state, thus precluding a two-state solution and support for a shared Jerusalem. Hanson and the other faith leaders met with Dennis Ross, special assistant to President Barack Obama, and Catherine Powell, director for human rights, Office of Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights in the National Security Council. United Methodists See Occupy Protest Ties November 10, 2011 – They may have begun as a protest against corporations and greed, but for a growing number of United Methodists taking part in the Occupy Wall Street movement, the protests are a statement about the spiritual bankruptcy of materialism as well as a call to transform the world. "This movement articulates [our call] for a more just society," said the Rev. Sandy Gess, pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Vacaville, Calif., and a long-time resident of Oakland. "The numbers of people who are homeless, unemployed, living on the streets are finding a community [in encampments] where they get assistance, a spiritual home, and have a voice – those of us in the clergy, who really speak on behalf of our spiritual leader, Jesus the Christ, who always advocated for the poor." The seed of the Occupy Wall Street movement was planted this summer by the Canadian-based magazine, Adbusters. The magazine called for a peaceful occupation of Wall Street to call attention to the role of banks and multinational corporations in the democratic process and Wall Street's role in the economic downturn. Melkites to Ordain Married Men in the USA November 11, 2011 – This morning The Tablet of London reported that the head of one of the Eastern Churches in communion with Rome has said the Church will start ordaining married men as priests in the US. "The Melkite Greek Catholic Bishop in the US, Nicholas Samra, said: "We are on a shoe-string of clergy to serve our Church as priests." The American Melkite Eparchy has 35 parishes, around 27,000 members, and only "one priest to be ordained next year," he said in a speech reported in the Melkite journal Sophia. Rome has previously ruled the ordination of married men as Melkite priests illicit. November 10, 2011 WASHINGTON, DC – B'nai B'rith International is saddened by the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon as general secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCC), an ecumenical body encompassing Christian denominations with a combined membership of 45 million Americans. Since his election in 2007, Kinnamon has been distinguished by his consistent efforts to overcome challenges in relations between faith communities, particularly Christians and Jews. Kinnamon, a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister, cited health reasons for his decision to step down. On Nov. 9, the NCC governing board accepted his decision. . November 8, 2011, SUKAMAKMUR, Indonesia/GENEVA – A week-long gathering to support Lutheran churches' response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Indonesia began with a call on young people to take a leading role in breaking the prejudice and stigma around HIV and AIDS. "Like those who carried the crippled man on his mat and broke the roof to reach him to Jesus, you should break the roof of prejudice and stigma in the church to bring solace to the HIV-infected," Bishop Langsung Maruli Sitorus of the Indonesian Christian Church (HKI) told 30 delegates attending the three-day youth consultation at Sukamakmur, 80 kilometers north of Medan. New Tools Add Punch to Vital Congregations November 8, 2011 – With Advent approaching, United Methodist congregations are seeking new ways to attract visitors who will connect with the church – and stay after Christmas. A Wichita, Kan., congregation tried something new last year, and the Rev. Nathan Stanton is still excited about the results. Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, where Stanton is senior pastor, was part of a pilot for the Innovative Leadership Project, created by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. The project encourages congregations to use a new process to determine the best way to become vital, stay vital or increase vitality. Vatican's Top Ecumenist Assesses Ecumenical Progress, Future Prospects November 7, 2011 – The Vatican's top ecumenist offered a frank assessment of recent ecumenical progress and future prospects in a Washington talk Nov. 3. Cardinal Kurt Koch, the Swiss-born president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said different types of divisions affect Catholic relations with the Orthodox churches and with those that were born from the Protestant Reformation, but both can be resolved with dialogue. He also criticized the "anti-Catholic attitude" displayed by some Pentecostals and said Catholics must resist a temptation to adopt the "sometimes problematic evangelical methods" of those churches. Communiqué – Anglican-Old Catholic International Coordinating Council November 11, 2011 – The Anglican-Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council (AOCICC) met in York, England from 4 to 8 November 2011. In its most important piece of work the Council finalized the text of a joint statement on ecclesiology and mission Belonging Together in Europe. An earlier version of the text was the major focus of the International Old Catholic and Anglican Theological Conference held in Neustadt, Germany from August 29 to September 2, 2011. Editorial: Recovering God's Image in Us November 6, 2011 – As we marveled at Japanese people's resilience and efficiency in the days leading up to the 6th month anniversary of the March 11 earthquake, we couldn't help but contrast the Japanese government's performance in the past few months with our own government's performance. For many in Taiwan, this has been a dismal year in government performance. To mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China, the Ma administration planned many celebrations and supported a few select corporations with taxpayers' money when they hosted events to draw attention to this special 100th year milestone. Teólogo Afirma Que La Posmodernidad Exige Un Nuevo Tipo De Liderazgo 11noviembre 2011, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – "En esta época de postmodernidad, es un gran desafío para las iglesias el cambio de un nuevo tipo de liderazgo protestante, donde la mujer forme parte integral y revisar el tipo de evangélico o cristiano que opta por la política no siendo sal y luz," expresó el reverendo Jairo Arce, en el marco del aniversario 494 de la Reforma Protestante, durante un foro celebrado por el Centro Inter-Eclesial de Estudios Teológicos y Sociales (CIEEST). Consejo Ecuménico Demanda Fortalecimiento De La Democracia a Presidente Electo 10 noviembre 2011, CIUDAD DEL CABO, Guatemala – Obispos y pastores integrantes de la Junta Directiva del Concejo Ecuménico Cristiano de Guatemala, mediante una conferencia de prensa, saludaron a los más de cuatro millones de guatemaltecos y guatemaltecas que ejercieron su derecho al voto, y demandaron a los gobernantes electos el respeto a los derechos humanos, el fortalecimiento de la justicia y el cumplimiento de la agenda de la paz, especialmente de los compromisos rezagados tocantes a pueblos indígenas, reforma agraria y asuntos económicos y fiscales. Combatir La Desigualdad De Género Para Lograr La Salud De Las Mujeres 8 noviembre 2011 – La Dra. Sarojini Nadar es una teóloga y académica de Sudáfrica que trabaja en cuestiones de género, religión y salud desde hace muchos años. Actualmente es profesora principal y directora del programa de Género y Religión, en la Facultad de Religión y Teología de la Universidad de KwaZulu-Natal. Transcriben a Mano El Nuevo Testamento De La Reina Valera Contemporánea 10 noviembre 2011, QUITO, Ecuador – Estudiantes del Colegio Adventista Ciudad de Quito recibieron la nueva revisión Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) escribiendo "a mano limpia" el Nuevo Testamento (NT), estudiando la historia y geografía de la Biblia y organizando una exhibición de Biblias antiguas. Las actividades se realizaron como parte de «la semana de la oración» que celebró este colegio con el apoyo de Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas en Ecuador (SBUEC). Los 300 estudiantes que escribieron el NT de la RVC tardaron cinco días en completar su obra. Three Episcopal Congregations Nominated for California ‘Energy Oscars' November 9, 2011 – Three Episcopal churches are among the nominees for the fifth annual "Energy Oscar" awards to be presented on Nov. 15 by California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in San Francisco. The awards honor California congregations of many faiths that address global warming and energy conservation issues in their local faith communities through green building, energy efficiency measures, education and advocacy. Arkansas' St. Francis House Program Helps Homeless Veterans Re-enter Society November 11, 2011 – Eight years ago, Vietnam veteran Garry Clemmons was a homeless addict, depressed and anxious. Today, he's sober, remarried and working for the Episcopal Church-sponsored program he credits with turning his life around: the Veterans Re-Entry Program at St. Francis House in the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas. "I just thank God for this program," he said. "I've got a new life now." The veterans program has been helping homeless former members of the Armed Services since 1988. Anglican Church of Southern Africa Appoints Environmental Coordinator November 11, 2011, SOUTH AFRICA – The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town today announced the appointment of the Revd Canon Rachel Mash as Environmental Coordinator for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Canon Mash, who will continue to head the Diocese of Cape Town's HIV and AIDS programme, Fikelela, will be working to develop the church's response to climate change and eco-justice. She will strengthen existing partnerships with SAFCEI, the Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute, and broaden global ties particularly through ACEN, the Anglican Communion's Environmental Network. 130 Years On, Church Cathedral Ceases to Be Extraordinary November 11, 2011, NEW ZEALAND – The 130-year-old spiritual centrepiece of Christchurch today was reduced to an ordinary ruin. And all in the space of half an hour. Up to 350 people gathered under a leaden sky in Cathedral Square for the service of deconsecration, led by Bishop Victoria Matthews. They were principally cathedral folk and diocesan clergy, but a scattering of civic representatives included earthquake minister Gerry Brownlee, off to one side and darkly attired like a respectful funeral director. November 9, 2011 – A new secular opposition party in Poland has called for the removal of a crucifix which hangs in the country's parliament. The Palikot Movement argues that the cross breaches Poland's secular consti tution. The idea is opposed by conservatives, who believe that the state should defend religion. The role of the Church in public life remains an important symbolic issue in Polish politics. November 9, 2011, DADAAB, Kenya/GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will continue with its humanitarian work at the world's biggest refugee camp despite recent security threats in the Horn of Africa region, says the LWF Department for World Service (DWS) director Rev. Eberhard Hitzler. The Dadaab camp in Kenya's northeastern province is now 20 years old and the LWF is responsible for housing and security for some 460,000 refugees mainly from Somalia seeking refuge from conflict and famine. Recent security threats on Kenya are hampering humanitarian response. Trial of Baha'i Educators: Condemnation Spreads November 7, 2011, GENEVA – As more information has emerged regarding the trial of seven Baha'i educators, the worldwide outcry at the persecution of Iranian Baha'i students and teachers continues to spread. In recent days, politicians in Brazil, academics in Germany and Ireland, and an international group of distinguished filmmakers, have condemned the systematic barring of Baha'is from higher education in Iran, and the Iranian government's attack on the Baha'i community's informal efforts to educate its own young members. Priest's Killing in Philippines Revives Anti-Violence Campaign November 8, 2011, MANILA, Philippines – the revival of a campaign to end political killings, supported by international faith and human rights groups, church workers said. "Those behind the killing of Father Fausto Tentorio may have wanted to create a chilling effect on those committed to the cause of peace and justice. But the impact was otherwise," Sister Elsa Compuesto, executive secretary of the Sisters Association of Mindanao, told ENInews in an interview on Nov. 4. Tentorio, 59, an Italian Catholic priest, was gunned down at his church's compound in Arakan, North Cotabato on Oct. 17. Climate Justice Youth Caravan Heads for South Africa November 8, 2011, NAIROBI, Kenya – About 200 young people traveling in a caravan of buses left Nairobi on Nov. 7 to promote action on climate change. Their two-week trip, punctuated with music, dance and drama and sponsored by faith-based and secular groups, will end in Durban, South Africa at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's conference called COP-17. "Climate change requires a justice response. We cannot to afford to see it differently. It is not only an economic, but also a moral ethical issue. It needs a response that addresses the injustices it has caused so far," Paul Mbole, Kenya country coordinator for Norwegian Church Aid, one of the supporting agencies, told ENInews at a launch event on Nov. 6. Israeli Religious Leaders Visit Pope, Pledge Commitment to Peace, Access to Shrines November 10, 2011 – Pope Benedict XVI met on November 10 with the Council of Religious Leaders in Israel, and told them that "dialogue between different religions is becoming ever more important." "This is pressing for the religious leaders of the Holy Land who, while living in a place full of memories sacred to our traditions, are tested daily by the difficulties of living together in harmony," the Pontiff continued. In Israel especially, the Pope remarked, tolerance across religious lines is essential. He reminded his visitors that religious leaders bear "a grave responsibility to educate the members of our respective religious groups." First ELCA Member Installed as National Council of Churches President November 9, 2011, CHICAGO – Kathryn M. Lohre was installed as president of the National Council of Churches Nov. 9 at a service held at the Lutheran Center here. A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lohre is the first Lutheran and ELCA member to serve as president of the council and the youngest woman to serve in that role. While her presidency marks these two historic firsts, it will also be the first time a woman succeeds a woman as president of the council. Lohre said her presidency also provides a unique opportunity for the ELCA. It will "visibly demonstrate (this church's) commitment to the ecumenical vision, as well as its commitment to lifelong ecumenical formation, leadership development and women's leadership," she said. |
