US church leaders recommit to fighting global poverty
-17/09/06
Church leaders in the U
US church leaders recommit to fighting global poverty
-17/09/06
Church leaders in the US have recommitted to ending global poverty.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, have released a joint pastoral letter urging Lutherans and Episcopalians to recommit to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in collaboration with ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History.
The release of the letter was celebrated in a joint worship service at the Episcopal Church Center in New York.
The letter is described as an ‘advocacy resource’ intended for ELCA synods, Episcopal Church dioceses and congregation leaders, and includes reflections on the theological basis for the MDGs. It includes examples of how Lutherans and Episcopalians are currently collaborating to end global poverty, specific actions the U.S. government can take toward achieving the MDGs, and a vision for future collaboration in advocating for the MDGs through the “ONE Lutheran” and “ONE Episcopalian” campaigns.
Five years ago The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) entered into a joint agreement, ‘Called to Common Mission’.
“We hope that by reflecting together on the challenge of global poverty, our communities may be called into deeper conversation, collaboration and advocacy on this urgent topic,” the presiding bishops wrote.
The MDGs were adopted by more than 191 member states of the United Nations, including the United States. The goals are to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and create a global partnership for development.
“A world that meets the Goals would have 500 million fewer people living on less than a dollar a day, 70 percent of whom will be women. More than 400 million fewer people will go to bed hungry each night. The lives of 30 million children currently destined to die before their fifth birthday would be saved. The rise of HIV and AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis would be halted, and infection and death rates would begin to decline. The population of orphans in the world ñ currently numbered at more than 110 million ñ would begin to decline as well. In short, a world that has achieved the MDGs will be a world that more greatly reflects Christís prayer that all be one as he and the Father are one” the letter said.
During the past year, the ELCA and Episcopal Church have launched “ONE Lutheran” and “ONE Episcopalian” campaigns, which have involved joining the ONE Campaign’s advocacy efforts, promoting the ONE Campaign at church events, and offering “ONE Lutheran.”
The letter, “That All May Be One,” is available here.
US church leaders recommit to fighting global poverty
-17/09/06
Church leaders in the US have recommitted to ending global poverty.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, have released a joint pastoral letter urging Lutherans and Episcopalians to recommit to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in collaboration with ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History.
The release of the letter was celebrated in a joint worship service at the Episcopal Church Center in New York.
The letter is described as an ‘advocacy resource’ intended for ELCA synods, Episcopal Church dioceses and congregation leaders, and includes reflections on the theological basis for the MDGs. It includes examples of how Lutherans and Episcopalians are currently collaborating to end global poverty, specific actions the U.S. government can take toward achieving the MDGs, and a vision for future collaboration in advocating for the MDGs through the “ONE Lutheran” and “ONE Episcopalian” campaigns.
Five years ago The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) entered into a joint agreement, ‘Called to Common Mission’.
“We hope that by reflecting together on the challenge of global poverty, our communities may be called into deeper conversation, collaboration and advocacy on this urgent topic,” the presiding bishops wrote.
The MDGs were adopted by more than 191 member states of the United Nations, including the United States. The goals are to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and create a global partnership for development.
“A world that meets the Goals would have 500 million fewer people living on less than a dollar a day, 70 percent of whom will be women. More than 400 million fewer people will go to bed hungry each night. The lives of 30 million children currently destined to die before their fifth birthday would be saved. The rise of HIV and AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis would be halted, and infection and death rates would begin to decline. The population of orphans in the world ñ currently numbered at more than 110 million ñ would begin to decline as well. In short, a world that has achieved the MDGs will be a world that more greatly reflects Christís prayer that all be one as he and the Father are one” the letter said.
During the past year, the ELCA and Episcopal Church have launched “ONE Lutheran” and “ONE Episcopalian” campaigns, which have involved joining the ONE Campaign’s advocacy efforts, promoting the ONE Campaign at church events, and offering “ONE Lutheran.”