ELCA Assembly Addresses Debt of Poor Nations, and ...

DENVER (ELCA) The 1999 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 18 adopted resolutions in support of efforts to reduce the international debt of the world's poorest nations, to respond to religious persecution around the world and to celebrate the International Year of Older Persons.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,038 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
All three resolutions were brought to the assembly by a committee that recommends action based on proposals from the church body's 65 synods.
Of the three, only the resolution addressing Jubilee 2000: USA Campaign -- part of the worldwide movement to reduce the debt burden of poor countries -- drew many speakers, and nearly all of those spoke in support. All three resolutions were adopted by huge margins.
Assembly members voted 949 to 29 to "express support for the work of the Jubilee 2000: USA Campaign promoting education and advocacy on international debt issues and to affirm continued ELCA participation in the Jubilee 2000: USA Campaign." The resolution also affirmed concern for the alleviation of poverty and hunger in poor nations and initiatives that "sustain the earth."
Among speakers in support of the resolution was Norman Barth, a voting member from the ELCA Lower Susquehanna Synod and former executive director of Lutheran World Relief, the inter-Lutheran international disaster-aid and development organization. He said that more than the entire export earnings of some countries go to service their debt. That means there is little or no money to support such needs as health care and education.
"Some 42 countries are highly indebted, most of them in Africa," Barth said. He said "much of the debt was incurred by dictators who are no longer around." He noted that efforts to reduce international debt and interest payments tie that to guarantees that the money saved will be spent on the country's social infrastructure instead.
The vote was 967 to 7 in favor of the resolution that calls on ELCA members "to pray for all victims of religious persecution, both Christians and non-Christians, and for their oppressors."
It also directs the ELCA Division for Church in Society to continue working with other church units to study the issue and help the church respond "effectively and sensitively to violations of the human right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion." ELCA members are called upon to "continue to foster respect, tolerance and understanding of other faiths" and to let the federal government know of their "concern for all victims of religious persecution in other parts of the world, conveying their conviction that such human rights violations are contrary to the international community's standards for freedom of conscience and religion."
The assembly affirmed support for the United Nations 1999 International Year of Older Persons by a vote of 823 to 14. The resolution supports promotion of events and activities designed to celebrate the International Year in 1999, asks the directors of ELCA divisions and units to include issues raised by the resolution in its planning, and encourages various ELCA units "to develop ministry resources that focus on and are inclusive of older adults."
During brief discussion before the vote, a voting member who also is a nursing-home administrator said the self-worth of older adults is enhanced by opportunities to serve others. Kristine Gernes, from the ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod, encouraged the church to "celebrate the well of wisdom" found in older adults.

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