wfn.org | ELCA Bishop Asked to Speak Out on Church Burnings

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 1, 1996

ELCA BISHOP ASKED TO SPEAK OUT ON CHURCH BURNINGS
96-24-070-AH

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding
bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, should
write a pastoral letter to all congregations of the church on the
subject of the African American churches that burned this year,
according to an action taken by the steering committee of the
ELCA's Commission for Multicultural Ministries.
     The committee, meeting here Oct. 11-12, also urged the
bishop to be alert to an opportunity to hold a press conference
"denouncing these despicable acts of vandalism and burnings."
The action specified that "a visible presence of people of color
and language other than English" take part in the event.
     Background information prepared by staff informed the
committee that the ELCA has been active through the National
Council of Churches of Christ in a nationwide campaign "to end
racially motivated burnings of churches and to restore those
churches that have been destroyed."
     In June the ELCA sent a "Disaster-gram" fund-raiser to all
ELCA congregations.  In that form Anderson called the church "to
action concerning the continued fire-bombing of African American
churches" and asked them to respond with financial assistance for
the NCCC's effort.
     Anderson asked members of the ELCA "to share his outrage at
the situation and support the importance of an ecumenical
coordinated response."  He asked for prayer "that the people of
our nation will reject such hatred and injustice, and respond
with strong moral and legal support."
     The background paper said the "vicious attacks' present the
ELCA with "an excellent opportunity to speak out in solidarity
with all God's people."  It said the Lutheran church
historically has not been "outspoken on issues affecting,
particularly, people of color."
     Erik Phelps, a committee member from Eau Claire, Wis., cited
instances of desecration of American Indian worship sites and
said, "This is happening in the context of freedom of religion
for people of color."
     The Rev. Frederick E.N. Rajan, director of the commission,
said, "The ELCA responded immediately, programmatically and
ecumenically.  I am proud of that leadership.  What is missing is
passion from on high.  The focus on what has happened should
remind leaders to stand up and speak forcefully."
     In a separate action the committee voted to call upon the
ELCA to make public its disapproval of the desecration of
American Indian/Alaska Native sacred sites and instructed the
commission to develop a position statement "decrying this
practice" for consideration at its next meeting.

For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service,
(312) 380-2958 or AHAFFTEN@ELCA.ORG; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir.,
(312) 380-2955 or FRANKI@ELCA.ORG