CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "The Texas jury that rendered a guilty verdict against the white supremacist who so horribly murdered James Byrd Jr. has fulfilled its obligation to stand for justice. My prayers and those of many others in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are with the families involved and the community of Jasper as they seek healing from this heinous crime. The Church proclaims that all persons are created in the image of God and that hate crimes and violence against any person are also a sin against God. May all in our society find in this verdict a strong statement that racism and its violent consequences cannot and will not be tolerated among us."
The Rev. H. George Anderson
Presiding Bishop
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Chicago, Ill.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
