 |
 |
 |
 |
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
|
Church of Pakistan Moderator Urges Government September 17, 2012 – While accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan have once again captured the news headlines, Bishop Samuel Azariah, moderator of the Church of Pakistan, hopes for the Pakistani government to consider repealing the controversial clause in the Pakistan Penal Code which, he says, invokes misuse of the blasphemy law. Bishop Azariah, who is a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive and Central Committees, considers the WCC hearing on "Misuse of the blasphemy law and the plight of religious minorities in Pakistan" an opportunity for Christians along with their Muslim partners to "register their concern and protest against abuse of the law." Bishops Condemn Attack on Church Compound, September 21, 2012 – Thousands of people today broke into a church compound in Pakistan, burnt down the church, and destroyed the homes of two priests and the school headteacher. The motivation behind the attack in Mardan, near Peshawar, is not yet clear, but the school was looted with newly installed computers being stolen and the building was set alight. No-one is reported to have been injured in the attack. The Bishop of Peshawar Rt Rev Humphrey Peters has appealed for support from the Anglican Communion condemned the attack: "The damage has been very severe, and we will need to rebuild. We are asking for people around the world to keep us in your prayers." WCC Event at UN Human Rights Council September 19, 2012 – "No state should take away the right of its citizens to debate a law that affects them gravely. Therefore, there is a growing need of dialogue on the blasphemy law and its negative impacts on religious minorities in Pakistan," said I.A. Rehman, veteran human rights activist and director of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in a side event at the United Nation's Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. "If we are not able to discuss the blasphemy law and its impact on people, especially the non-Muslims, I would call it a big disadvantage of our society," added Rehman. National Council of Churches Plans for ‘Bold Future' September 19, 2012, NEW YORK – A task force of the U.S. National Council of Churches is "re-envisioning" the 62-year-old organization as a streamlined "connector" among its member churches and local and regional ecumenical partners. Facing the realities of uncertain revenue streams and an ever-shrinking staff base, the task force has conceived a plan it hopes will usher in a "bold future" by placing far more reliance on the council's 37 individual member communions. "The hope is that we will work more collaboratively together," said United Methodist Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader, a task force member who retired Sept. 1 as the denomination's ecumenical officer. "The ministry belongs to the churches; it doesn't belong to the staff." Unique Deacon Training to Be Offered at the Village at Morrisons Cove, Pennsylvania September 21, 2012, ELGIN, IL – Worship, workshops, and fellowship are standard components of deacon training in the Church of the Brethren. But when staff from the denomination's Middle Pennsylvania District asked about hosting a day of training at the Village at Morrisons Cove, a retirement community, they requested that the focus be on ministry specific to older adults. With that, director of deacon ministry Donna Kline and director of older adult and family life ministries Kim Ebersole worked together with district and Village staff and came up with a plan for a very focused day of training, to be held in Martinsburg, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 10. From Shrines and Battlefields, Christians and Others to Pray for Peace September 17, 2012 At a place called Antietam, 23,000 soldiers died in the bloodiest day of the American Civil War. More than 150 years later, 20 different religious traditions will gather on this battlefield in Maryland, United States as part of the 2012 International Day of Prayer for Peace to share prayers and songs of peace. The event, involving Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and Baha'i is one of the hundreds of ways churches and others in various regions of the world are observing the 21 September as an international day of prayer for peace. In Mexico City, a coalition called Movement for Peace with Dignity and Justice is bringing civil society organizations together for 10 days of action and prayer leading up to 21 September.. New Publication on the Biblical Foundations of the Doctrine of Justification September 19, 2012 – The Biblical Foundations of the Doctrine of Justification – a publication documenting ecumenical partners' follow up on the historic agreement by Lutherans and Roman Catholics on the doctrine of justification – is now available in English and German languages. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) in October 1999 in Augsburg, Germany. This action ended centuries' old disagreement and conflict over the crucial subject of justification, the original point of dispute between Catholic and Lutheran traditions. Five Big Questions about the ‘Jesus' Wife' Discovery September 21, 2012 – In a surprise announcement that seemed scripted by the novelist Dan Brown, a Harvard professor revealed an ancient scrap of papyrus on Sept. 18 that purports to refer to Jesus' wife. The so-called "Gospel of Jesus' Wife" presents a dialogue between Jesus and his disciples, said Karen King, a well-respected historian of early Christianity at Harvard Divinity School, Religion News Service reports. The fourth-century fragment says, "Jesus said to them, ‘My wife …,'" according to King. The rest of the sentence is cut off. The fragment also says "she will be able to be my disciple," according to King. Ministry Boosts Small Church Vitality September 17, 2012 – United Methodists often say that rural congregations form the backbone of their denomination. For more than 50 years, the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, N.C., has been strengthening that backbone. Think of the center as The United Methodist Church's chiropractor. With the denomination-wide emphasis on vital congregations, the Hinton Center now plays a key role in cultivating vital, small, country churches across the United States. Christians and Muslims Engage in Dialogue at a WCC Meeting September 21, 2012 – After a four year interval the World Council of Council (WCC) and the Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue (CID) in Tehran, Iran, have recommenced their meetings for bi-lateral dialogue. At the latest meeting, held at the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, 16-18 September, the Christian and Muslim participants encouraged "inter-religious dialogue in all sectors of society with the aim of involving all in ensuring justice, equality, non-violence, welfare, friendship and compassion in society." Church Welcomes Moravian Pastor in Historic Example of Communion September 20, 2012 – On Sept. 16, the Rev. Carl Southerland was installed as rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Franklin, North Carolina, becoming the first Moravian pastor of an Episcopal parish since the two denominations inaugurated a full-communion relationship in 2011. "It is an exciting day for the Moravian Church and the Episcopal Church," said Southerland. "My appointment into the Episcopal Church has been a wonderful process. To come into the Episcopal Church, I've felt so welcome. It's been a real blessing for me, and I'm very excited to be here." Desde Santuarios Y Campos De Batalla, 17 septiembre 2012 – En un lugar llamado Antietam perdieron la vida 23 000 soldados en el día más sangriento de la Guerra de Secesión. Más de 150 años después, 20 tradiciones religiosas diferentes se reunirán en este campo de batalla en Maryland, Estados Unidos, para participar en el Día Internacional de Oración por la Paz 2012, y compartir oraciones y cánticos de paz. 21 septiembre 2012 – Los participantes en la reunión de información y debate patrocinada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) sobre el abuso de la legislación contra la blasfemia de Pakistán han instado al Gobierno de ese país a que "tome medidas concretas y realistas para poner fin a los abusos de la ley sobre la blasfemia que están causando violaciones masivas de los derechos humanos." "Las pequeñas modificaciones de procedimiento no han funcionado; no han servido para mitigar las nefastas consecuencias de una ley que se presta por naturaleza al abuso," dijo el grupo en un comunicado emitido esta tarde. 19 septiembre 2012 – «La aplicación indebida de la ley contra la blasfemia es contraria a la visión de Pakistán de un país moderado y democrático», declaró Mohammad Tahseen en una audiencia pública sobre la "aplicación indebida de la ley contra la blasfemia y las minorías religiosas en Pakistán" organizada por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) en Ginebra (Suiza). El Secretario General Del CMI Interpela a Los Cristianos a Rechazar El Concepto De "Enemigo" 17 septiembre 2012, GINEBRA, Suiza – La cuestión de quién es nuestro enemigo es un asunto que afecta a todas las comunidades del mundo, especialmente en lugares como Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina), que sufrió las consecuencias de una devastadora guerra civil hace casi veinte años. Pero fue aquí, el 11 de septiembre, en una ciudad multicultural, multiétnica y multirreligiosa, donde el Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, secretario general del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), interpeló a los participantes cristianos del Encuentro Internacional de Oración por la Paz de la Comunidad de Sant'Egidio, antes de que se reunieran con los demás para orar en sus respectivos lugares de culto, a que dejasen a un lado el concepto de "enemigo." Iglesia Luterana Costarricense Protesta Ante Ataque a Líder Indígena 21 septiembre 2012, SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica – La Iglesia Luterana Costarricense (ILCO), se manifestó esta semana para protestar por el atentado que sufriera el líder indígena Sergio Rojas Ortiz, quien al frente de su comunidad dirige, desde hace varios años, procesos de recuperación de tierras usurpadas a intereses de grandes ganaderos y comercializadores de tierra. Rojas Ortiz, fue atacado este lunes por personas no identificadas, que le hicieron varios disparos, cuando se dirigía a su hogar en el interior del país, en Salitre, donde existen varias zonas recuperadas por familias indígenas, lo cual ha provocado ataques de quienes ocupaban esos territorios de manera ilegal. Mes De La Biblia: La Presencia Del Texto Sagrado En Las Diferentes Tradiciones Cristianas 17 septiembre 2012, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – La Comisión Ecuménica de Iglesias Cristianas en la Argentina (CEICA) organizó la semana pasada, junto a la Facultad de Teología de la Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) y al Instituto Universitario ISEDET una conferencia sobre "La presencia de la Biblia en las diferentes tradiciones cristianas" en el marco de la celebración por el mes de la Biblia. Alrededor de 40 participantes, entre estudiantes de teología de ambas casas de estudios teológicos y representantes de las Iglesias miembro de la CEICA, se dieron cita en instalaciones de la Iglesia Católica Apostólica Ortodoxa del Patriarcado de Antioquía en Argentina para compartir experiencias pastorales y visiones propias de cada tradición cristiana en torno al lugar de la Biblia que ocupa en la liturgia, en la pastoral, y en el mensaje cristiano. WCC Public Hearing Debates "Misuse of Blasphemy Laws" in Pakistan September 17, 2012 – "The misuse of blasphemy law is contrary to the vision of Pakistan as a moderate and democratic country," said Mohammad Tahseen, in a public hearing on the "Misuse of blasphemy law and religious minorities in Pakistan" organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva, Switzerland. "The religious voices, as part of the civil society must reject the concept of second class citizenship, asserting equality of all human beings in a democracy," said Tahseen. Tahseen, founder and director of South Asia Partnership in Pakistan was addressing the public hearing on 17 September, on its first day. The meeting is organized by the WCC's Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA). Marchers in Rio Call for Freedom to Believe September 18, 2012, RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – A message of human solidarity from a medieval Persian poet was prominently displayed at Rio's famous Copacabana beach, as part of this year's Walk in Defense of Religious Liberty. Human rights group, United4Iran, in collaboration with the Brazilian Baha'i community unfurled a large banner containing a text by Sa'di which is also to be found displayed at the entrance of the United Nations headquarters in New York. ELCA Leaders Call for an End to Hate Crimes, Domestic Extremism September 19, 2012, CHICAGO – Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) commend the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for convening a hearing Sept. 19 on hate crimes and domestic extremism in a "Statement for the Record" submitted today by the ELCA to the Senate. In the record, ELCA leaders stated that it is a moral imperative that policymakers and elected officials take strong measures "to build a future where hate has no place." The "policies and practices of racial and religious profiling perpetuate bias and divert resources that should be used to protect those on the margins of society, who are most at risk. The threat is not the ‘other' it is those who hate the ‘other.'" Sixth Annual Family Peace Camp Is Held in Florida September 21, 2012, ELGIN, IL – About 35 campers came together on Labor Day weekend at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla. Quakers, Catholics, and Church of the Brethren members from six congregations met with Donald E. Miller of Richmond, Ind., to hear stories from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where Christians face violent threats to human life. The Action for Peace Team of Atlantic Southeast District, Church of the Brethren, and Camp Ithiel co-sponsored this Sixth Annual Family Peace Camp, providing a rich experience for peacemakers young and old. Former Battlefield in U.S. Will Be Site of Prayers for Peace September 17, 2012 – At a place called Antietam, there were 23,000 casualties in the bloodiest day of the American Civil War. More than 150 years later, 20 different religious traditions will gather on this battlefield in the state of Maryland on Sept. 21 to share prayers and songs of peace. The 2012 International Day of Prayer for Peace will involve Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and Baha'i and is one of the hundreds of ways people in various regions of the world are observing the day, according to a news release from the World Council of Churches (WCC). Clerics Sometimes Break the Law in the Pursuit of Justice September 17, 2012 – The Rev. Jack Stanton is a veteran of civil rights and Vietnam War demonstrations. But he went one step further in May when he volunteered to be arrested during a protest on behalf of casino workers fired for union organizing in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Other clergy, including Episcopalians, also marched in the demonstration. "I took the extra step of volunteering to be arrested because I thought it would call more attention to what we were doing, and it proved to be so," said Stanton, 75, priest associate at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami. September 17, 2012 – Christchurch New Zealand and Christ Church Cathedral Dublin may be at opposite corners of the globe but when 5 major earthquakes and over 10,000 aftershocks struck Christchurch New Zealand between September 2010 and December 2011, the people of Christ Church Cathedral Dublin responded with love and generosity. Preaching at the Cathedral in Dublin yesterday while attending the meeting of the Inter Anglican Standing Commission on Unity Faith and Order (IASCUFO), Bishop Victoria Matthews thanked the cathedral community. European Churches Called to Confront Current Financial Crisis September 21, 2012 – Citing the European churches' "strong commitment over the past century to the ecumenical movement and fellowship in Europe," WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit urged their direct engagement in the current financial and social crisis in and beyond Europe. Their past commitment "has changed the realities of Europe. It has borne much fruit on other continents. That can, and should, happen again," he added. Tveit shared this message at the General Assembly of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) on 21 September in Florence, Italy. In the context of the ongoing financial crisis in Europe, Tveit said to the European churches, "you emphasize reconciliation in your concept of unity. Europe today calls the churches to signs of reconciliation." ELCA Presiding Bishop Explores Mission with Christian Leaders in China September 19, 2012, CHICAGO – In his first visit to China, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), shared a message of hope, appreciation for and commitment to the ministries and relationships between ELCA members and Chinese Christians. During his Sept. 11-17 trip, Hanson met with national church leaders in Shanghai and with regional leaders across China's Sichuan Province. In a gathering with leaders of the China Christian Council and Three- Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Church in Shanghai, Hanson noted that his visit here was "to listen and learn. We come out of a deep history of building relationships," he said, and the "challenge is how people in our church can learn from you." Haiti Medical Project Reports Growth of its Endowment Fund September 21, 2012, ELGIN, IL – The Church of the Brethren's Haiti Medical Project has issued an update on efforts to raise an endowment fund to support mobile medical clinics in Haiti, as the project approaches the one-year mark. The effort is supported by the denomination's Global Mission and Service program. Leading the project are Brethren physicians including Paul Ullom-Minnich of central Kansas and other church members and congregations concerned to provide basic healthcare to Haitian Brethren communities, such as former Mission and Ministry Board chair Dale Minnich. Ullom-Minnich, who was part of a Brethren medical delegation to Haiti shortly after the devastating 2010 earthquake, traveled to the Caribbean nation again Sept. 18 to meet with Haitian church leaders and physicians who are helping to provide mobile clinics. Hindus in Pakistan Are a Forgotten Community September 20, 2012 – For Haroon Sarab Diyal, Hindus in Pakistan are a "forgotten community." The trend of forced migration among members of the community is evident by the decrease in population numbers from 20% to less than 2% since the country's independence. This trend of migration is a reaction to "religious intolerance" and "class disparities," Sarab Diyal believes. Representing the Hindu community in a recent public hearing on the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan, organized by the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva, Switzerland on 17 September, Sarab Diyal asked the international community to listen to voices of the members of Hindu community in Pakistan. September 20, 2012, SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia/GENEVA – A regional meeting of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Bolivia's eastern city of Santa Cruz is assessing how churches emerging from contexts of strong social, economic and political crises can be a prophetic voice of hope amidst massive impoverishment, violence and inequality. "That is why today we have hope, that is why today we struggle with stubbornness," states the theme of the 18-22 September gathering of representatives from the 16 LWF member churches in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, and partner organizations. Anglican Leaders Condemn Anti-Islam Film and Violence September 19, 2012 – Leaders across the Anglican Communion have spoken out about The Innocence of Muslims, a film containing anti-Islam content that has so far triggered protests, violence and death in countries like Libya and Egypt. Both Anglican and Roman Catholic archbishops in New Zealand have condemned the film, its message and its promotion, alongside the Federation of Islamic Associations president and the city of Wellington's Regional Jewish Council chairperson, Race Relations commissioner and local bishops. |
