CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In the wake of this week's election, the presiding bishop of the 5-million member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) offered his "commitment to all who have been elected and in particular to President George W. Bush," and called on members of the ELCA to pray for elected officials, participate actively in civic life and continue to be "communities of moral deliberation" on complex domestic and global concerns.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, in a public statement issued Nov. 4, said he respects the office of president and will pray for Bush's leadership in that role. Hanson also thanked Sen. John F. Kerry and Sen. John Edwards for their "valuable participation" in the campaign.
"As a religious leader and a citizen with great regard for this country, I acknowledge as well the many voices that remind us of the significance of this election, not only for this country but for people throughout the world," said Hanson, who also serves as president of the Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, Switzerland, a global communion of 138 churches in 77 countries, representing 65 million Lutherans worldwide.
"We have heard the challenge -- and the plea -- that the economic, political and military power of the United States be exercised in ways that serve justice, peace and care for the environment," Hanson said in his statement. "The American electorate has spoken in this election about its deep concern for personal moral values and faith. It is my hope that we will not separate personal morality from public responsibility for the complex moral issues of hunger and poverty, HIV/AIDS, environmental degradation, civil war and social inequities. May our faith not isolate us in fear but give us courage to work with others to find a just and lasting peace."
Lutherans "affirm that good government is a gift from God when that authority and responsibility is exercised in the service of the common good," Hanson continued. He said he will cooperate with the Bush administration in working toward unity in the United States "that is enriched by our diversity."
Hanson reiterated his pledge to pray for Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney and their families "as they continue to carry out the privilege and responsibility of leadership."
Hanson's statement follows his Sept. 27 public criticism of Bush and Kerry, in which he asked both to change the tone of their campaigns. In an open letter he criticized each for talking too much about fear and each other's military service records, and he said they should be talking about their visions for the future. He asked each how they would address concerns about the HIV/AIDS pandemic, environmental concerns, the growing gap between people with wealth and people living in poverty, access to affordable housing and health care, good jobs and quality education. Hanson also called on each to address how they would use U.S. military power to secure world peace, and he said it was time to stand with people who suffer in the world.
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The text of Presiding Bishop Hanson's Nov. 4 public statement on the U.S. presidential campaign is at http://www.elca.org/bishop/m_election.html on the ELCA Web site. His Sept. 27 open letter to President Bush and Sen. Kerry is at http://www.elca.org/bishop/m_candidates.html on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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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
