US churches say ‘never again’ to Gulf of Mexico injustice
-30/08/06
Rebuilding lives
US churches say ‘never again’ to Gulf of Mexico injustice
-30/08/06
Rebuilding lives and communities with justice all along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico remains the top priority of US religious leaders who have followed closely the hurricane response in the last twelve months.
ìLet us say, ëNever againí this time and finally mean it,î said the National Council of Churches USAís Special Commission on a Just Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast in a statement. ìLet us commit to working toward a rebuilt and restored Gulf Coast region for all people – regardless of their race, ethnicity, economic status or political affiliation. The citizens of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas deserve no less.î
Members of the NCCUSAís Special Commission met at Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church last week for their third visit to the region. They heard from representatives of several denominations about the work that has been done and what has been left undone.
ìThe time for restoration and reconciliation in the Gulf Coast region is long overdue,î the Commission said in a statement. ìOne year later the struggle to rebuild and reconcile after Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Wilmaís indiscriminate destruction is still a tangible reality in the daily lives of people who experienced firsthand the devastation of the storms.î
Commission members visited devastated communities in Long Beach and Bay St. Louis, Miss. They saw the temporary home of St Peterís Episcopal Church inside Hansboro Presbyterian Church in Long Beach. St Peterís was obliterated by Katrina. They heard from the Interfaith Disaster Task Force in Long Beach and visited Camp Coast Care in that community. An Episcopal school has been turned into rebuilding center by Lutheran Episcopal Services of Mississippi.
ìWe have advocated for justice for the people of the Gulf Coast region especially those who traditionally have had no voice in the halls of government,î said the Commission. ìWe have witnessed for the needs of too many human beings, all created in the image of God, who seem to have been overlooked as plans to rebuild have been developed.î
At the same time Commission members noted ìthe many long hours of hard work and sacrifice of those in our congregations as well as in synagogues, mosques and community organizations, who have stepped in to help in the efforts to rebuild. There have been countless hours of work donated by mission trips or work visits by our 35 member communions.î
The NCCUSA Special Commission plans to continue working with local and regional faith leaders to be a voice for the poor and the voiceless as rebuilding plans emerge.
[Also on Ekklesia: Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina highlights social divisions and hope 29/08/06; [Also on Ekklesia: Black church rises from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina; Controversial evangelistic leaflet aimed at hurricane survivors; Black Christian leader calls for new US civil rights drive; US churches assist in Katrina relief efforts; US church leader says poverty is the hurricane culprit; Katrina revealed US unwillingess to address inequalities say churches; Clergy descend on New Orleans to shame Congress; US Fundamentalists: hurricane was God’s judgement on New Orleans; Axis of evil offers to come to America’s rescue; Episcopalians and Mennonites provide support to Hurricane Rita and 30 more stories]
US churches say ‘never again’ to Gulf of Mexico injustice
-30/08/06
Rebuilding lives and communities with justice all along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico remains the top priority of US religious leaders who have followed closely the hurricane response in the last twelve months.
ìLet us say, ëNever againí this time and finally mean it,î said the National Council of Churches USAís Special Commission on a Just Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast in a statement. ìLet us commit to working toward a rebuilt and restored Gulf Coast region for all people – regardless of their race, ethnicity, economic status or political affiliation. The citizens of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas deserve no less.î
Members of the NCCUSAís Special Commission met at Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church last week for their third visit to the region. They heard from representatives of several denominations about the work that has been done and what has been left undone.
ìThe time for restoration and reconciliation in the Gulf Coast region is long overdue,î the Commission said in a statement. ìOne year later the struggle to rebuild and reconcile after Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Wilmaís indiscriminate destruction is still a tangible reality in the daily lives of people who experienced firsthand the devastation of the storms.î
Commission members visited devastated communities in Long Beach and Bay St. Louis, Miss. They saw the temporary home of St Peterís Episcopal Church inside Hansboro Presbyterian Church in Long Beach. St Peterís was obliterated by Katrina. They heard from the Interfaith Disaster Task Force in Long Beach and visited Camp Coast Care in that community. An Episcopal school has been turned into rebuilding center by Lutheran Episcopal Services of Mississippi.
ìWe have advocated for justice for the people of the Gulf Coast region especially those who traditionally have had no voice in the halls of government,î said the Commission. ìWe have witnessed for the needs of too many human beings, all created in the image of God, who seem to have been overlooked as plans to rebuild have been developed.î
At the same time Commission members noted ìthe many long hours of hard work and sacrifice of those in our congregations as well as in synagogues, mosques and community organizations, who have stepped in to help in the efforts to rebuild. There have been countless hours of work donated by mission trips or work visits by our 35 member communions.î
The NCCUSA Special Commission plans to continue working with local and regional faith leaders to be a voice for the poor and the voiceless as rebuilding plans emerge.
[Also on Ekklesia: Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina highlights social divisions and hope 29/08/06; [Also on Ekklesia: Black church rises from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina; Controversial evangelistic leaflet aimed at hurricane survivors; Black Christian leader calls for new US civil rights drive; US churches assist in Katrina relief efforts; US church leader says poverty is the hurricane culprit; Katrina revealed US unwillingess to address inequalities say churches; Clergy descend on New Orleans to shame Congress; US Fundamentalists: hurricane was God’s judgement on New Orleans; Axis of evil offers to come to America’s rescue; Episcopalians and Mennonites provide support to Hurricane Rita and 30 more stories]