CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Unida (United Evangelical Lutheran Church) (IELU), Buenos Aires, Argentina, are calling on the 5.13 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to accompany them as they face "a disaster situation not caused by natural catastrophe" but by "a catastrophe of an economic nature and politics."
In a Jan. 14 letter to the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, and other ELCA leaders, Roberto O. Stein, IELU executive secretary, wrote that Argentina has "sunk in a deep recession that destroyed the middle class and made poorer those who were already poor." He said the recession "gave place to a political and social uncertainty of such a magnitude that the country faces the danger of a civil war."
"In only two weeks five presidents were in office," Stein said. Argentina's current president, Eduardo Duhalde, is the fifth after Fernando de la Rua's resignation on Dec. 21.
Part of Argentina's current economic crisis is a result of a "process of deterioration related with the insertion of Argentina into the globalized world," Stein said. The country's crisis presents a "major challenge" for the IELU "institutionally and pastorally."
The IELU cannot honor its present financial obligations, Stein said, because it cannot collect funds in "the short term." Most of the IELU's missions and new congregations consist of families with "very low resources" that, in the present economic situation, have diminished or lost revenues, he said.
The 7,000-member IELU includes 26 pastors and 29 congregations grouped into four districts -- North, River Plate, South and West.
Stein began his letter by citing sections of the ELCA's social statement on economic life, "Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All," adopted in 1999.
In particular, Stein quoted: "'Human beings are responsible and accountable for economic life, but people often feel powerless in the face of what occurs. Market-based thought and practices dominate our world today in ways that seem to eclipse other economic, social, political and religious perspectives.'" He said, "All that you had stated there is a reality for us now."
Stein pointed out that economic life "is intended to be a means through which God's purpose for humankind and creation are to be served." When this does not happen, "as a church we cannot remain silent because of who we are," he said.
As members of a "communion" of churches representing the North and South, "those who are rich and those who are poor are called into a relationship of generosity" from which each can benefit, Stein wrote. "Within the church, those in need and those with abundance are brought together in Christ."
In response to Stein's letter, Hanson expressed "deep sadness and Christian concern for the people of Argentina including our companions in the United Evangelical Lutheran Church. Out of their suffering, Argentinian Lutherans have rightly called us to self-examination and faithfulness to the vision expressed in the ELCA's statement on economic life."
As North Americans living "on the benefit side of economic globalization, we know we must not only share generously from our abundance but we must also ask deep questions about the causes of disasters, such as the recent one in Argentina. We pray for the transformation of ourselves and of the crisis that has plunged Argentina into chaos and uncertainty. When even one member of Christ's body suffers, we all suffer together," Hanson said in a Jan. 30 letter to Stein.
The ELCA International Disaster Response fund provided $20,000 in January to support an IELU food program that serves children. An additional $15,000 will be sent by the ELCA next month to support an IELU soup kitchen and clothing pantry for women. International Disaster Response is coordinated through the ELCA Division for Global Mission here.
In a Dec. 21 letter Stein, IELU Presiding Bishop Angel Furlan and other church leaders from across Argentina, called on "agencies and Christian institutions in the North" to build up economic international relationships, alleviate the burden of international debt and "implement concrete signs of solidarity with those who are suffering."
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
