wfn.org | LWF urges implementation of political commitments to reduce debt

[FRANK.IMHOFF@ecunet.org]

LWF COUNCIL MEETING, TURKU, FINLAND, 14-21 JUNE 2000
PRESS RELEASE NO. 17

TURKU, Finland/GENEVA, 21 June 2000 (LWI) - The Lutheran World
Federation (LWF) has called again for the liberation of the heavily
indebted developing countries of the world from the tyranny of
unsustainable debt, and urged the implementation of political
commitments that have been made to reduce this crushing debt upon the
poorest of the world.

In a message issued at the end of its Council meeting held in Finland's
historic capital of Turku from 14 to 21 June, the LWF called also for a
renewed effort on the part of the international community to providing a
lasting and just solution to the continuing human tragedy caused by
debt. Further, the Federation urged governments of both debtor and
creditor countries to take measures to prevent debts from being
"undemocratically, unproductively and corruptly incurred."

The 2000 meeting of the LWF's governing body, hosted by the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Finland (EFCF) had as its theme, "I give you a future
with hope". A highlight on the Council's agenda this year was
participation in the Jubilee Year 2000 festivities, being celebrated
jointly by the Christian churches in Finland under the theme "Jubilee
Year 2000 - Year of Hope". The objectives of observing the jubilee year
include among others to: make the year 2000 the year of hope in Finland;
raise issues of justice and values as the central theme in churches and
society and consolidate ecumenical cooperation. About 86 per cent of
Finland's five million people belong to the ELCF.

Debt cancellation is a major concern of the LWF. In a letter on 8 June
2000 addressed to the heads of government of the G8 countries, the LWF
has renewed its call to the leaders of the world's industrialized
nations to go "beyond the rhetoric and half measures, and to cancel
immediately and totally the debts of the countries identified as
'heavily indebted poor countries', as well as the unpayable debts of the
poor countries."

In the letter ahead of the G8 meeting in Okinawa, Japan, the LWF general
secretary, Dr. Ishmael Noko expressed support for the call made by the
United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, in his 'Millennium Report'
"for the donor countries and the international financial institutions to
consider wiping off their books all official debts of the heavily
indebted poor countries in return for those countries making
demonstrable commitments to poverty reduction." In 1999, the LWF in a
similar letter asked the G8 leaders ahead of their Summit in Cologne,
Germany, at that time, "to respond to the debt crisis in a way that
enables all countries to enter the next millennium free from the burden
of unsustainable debt."

In its Council message, the LWF pointed to the many issues reflecting
the brokenness of the world that were brought before its eight-day
meeting. These include religious intolerance, violence against women,
the alarming and increasing gap between rich and poor, armed conflict
and ethical dilemmas of armed intervention to defend human rights.

The LWF affirmed its commitment to work to strengthen the role of women
and youth in church and society, acknowledging at the same time that
there is still much to be done in these areas.

The Council also considered a plan of action for further follow up on
the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, signed by the
LWF and the Roman Catholic Church on 31 October 1999 in Augsburg,
Germany, a development that is overall seen as a pivotal ecumenical
breakthrough. "We have been encouraged by how our member churches are
experiencing ever stronger relationships with Roman Catholics and
recognize the urgency to press for more visible signs of unity through
mutual eucharistic hospitality." the LWF Council stated in its message.

The Council described its meeting and fellowship in Turku as a visible
sign of the communion among the LWF member churches, and a chance that
"has enabled us, to know ourselves better as a communion of Lutheran
churches within the worldwide Christian communio. ... Our experience of
that global communion gives us hope and strength for our ministry as
churches and our witness today."

(The LWF is a global communion of 128 member churches in 70 countries
representing 59 million of the world's 63 million Lutherans. Its highest
decision making body is the Assembly, held every six or seven years.
Between Assemblies, the LWF is governed by a 49-member Council which
meets annually, and its Executive Committee. The LWF secretariat is
located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the information service of the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Unless specifically noted, material
presented does not represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of its
various units. Where the dateline of an article contains the notation
(LWI), the material may be freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]

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Lutheran World Information
Assistant Editor, English: Pauline Mumia
E-mail: pmu@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/