wfn.org | LWF begins a new era Noko reports to Assembly

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LWF begins a new era
Noko reports to Assembly

HONG KONG, July 25, 1997 (lwi) - The Lutheran World Federation stands on
connecting doorsteps, at the end of one era and at the beginning of a new
one, said Ishmael Noko, LWF general secretary, in his report to the Ninth
Assembly of the LWF.

"We are in 'transit' and no better venue than Hong Kong, a city in transit,
could bring that message home," Noko said. He referred to the Assembly
beginning in Hong Kong only a week after the former British protectorate
was transferred back to China. 

"There is concern in and outside Hong Kong about the extent to which civil
liberties and personal freedoms will be respected by the new political
administration," Noko said. 

"Without claiming full knowledge of the situation as it is now or as it
will unfold," political authorities have "a golden opportunity" to keep
promises made in the Sino-British agreement and the Basic Law promulgated
by China to govern Hong Kong. 

"The Asian multifaith setting for this Assembly prompts us to renew and
affirm our commitment to interfaith dialogue as a legitimate form of
ministry and witness in a religiously plural world," Noko said. 

Noko said the international work of the church "has been subjected to very
difficult financial realities" and appealed to all member churches of the
LWF "to do their utmost" to support the Endowment Fund established in 1995
to generate income. 

Actions at the last assembly at Curitiba, Brazil, in 1990 moved the LWF's
self-understanding from a "federation" of churches to a "communion" of
churches. As a communion the LWF "should take the bold step and reconsider
the title Lutheran World Federation and replace it with an appropriate
one," Noko said. He suggested the Assembly ask the LWF Council to study the
issue.

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