CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a joint letter issued March 19, leaders of three U.S. Protestant church bodies, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), pledged to carry their concerns about a continuing election controversy in Madagascar to U.S. government officials. U.S. church leaders also asked Malagasy church officials how sister churches in the United States may be helpful to the people of Madagascar "in their call for justice."
Since a Dec. 16 presidential election in Madagascar, there has been uncertainty over the outcome. Challenger Marc Ravalomanana has said he won, claiming government unfairness denied him a victory. The Malagasy government said neither Ravalomanana nor longtime President Didier Ratsiraka won a majority. It set a runoff election for later this month, though Ravalomanana said he will not participate. Violence and work stoppages have occurred in parts of Madagascar in recent weeks.
The letter was signed by the top elected leaders of each of the three U.S. churches. They are the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop; the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, presiding bishop, Episcopal Church USA; and the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the general assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The letter was addressed to the Rev. Benjamin Rabenorolahy, president, Malagasy Lutheran Church; the Most Rev. Remi Joseph Rabenirina, archbishop and primate, Church of the Indian Ocean, and bishop, Anglican Diocese of Antananarivo; and the Rev. Edmond Razafinahefa, president, Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar.
Combined membership of the Malagasy churches is about 10 million members, including 2 million members of the Malagasy Lutheran Church. The U.S. churches also represent about 10 million members.
"We greet you, mindful of the faithful and united witness of your churches in these troubled times in our society," the U.S. church leaders said. "We press our solidarity with you as you fulfill your prophetic and pastoral responsibilities in the gospel of our Lord in this time of crisis."
The U.S. church leaders said they would address U.S. government and civil leaders so "that the will of the Malagasy people expressed in the December elections may be heard."
"We are mindful that the 10 million members of your churches seek and pray that God's will for all people may be realized," the letter said. "We are encouraging the 10 million members of our churches to uphold in prayer your leadership, your church members, and the people and civil leaders in Madagascar. It is a prayer of intercession that justice and peace may prevail for all."
The ELCA maintains a full communion relationship with the Episcopal Church, USA, and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). With full communion, the churches agree to share ministries and in certain circumstances may exchange clergy.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
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
