wfn.org | NCCs Edgar, at White House, Welcomes New Director

["Nat'l Council of Churches" <nccc_usa@ncccusa.org>]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2252
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2/1/02 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCC GENERAL SECRETARY, AT WHITE HOUSE,
WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR

	February 1, 2002, WASHINGTON, D.C. - National Council of Churches General
Secretary Robert W. Edgar welcomed todays presentation of a new director
for the White House Office of Community and Faith-Based Initiatives and
President Bushs recognition of the importance of collaborative work to meet
needs of people in poverty.

	Dr. Edgar was among religious and civic leaders present at the White House
this morning for the Presidents introduction of the new director, Jim
Towey.  Others assembled included the Rev. Dr. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson,
General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America (one of the NCCs 36
member communions), along with leaders of the Salvation Army, Roman Catholic
Church and Jewish community and of groups including Independent Sector and
the United Way.

	The NCC general secretary said he would commend to President Bush and Mr.
Towey the work done by the broadly bipartisan Working Group on Human Needs
and Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, which met over the past six
months under the leadership of former Senator Harris Wofford.

	The Working Group included leaders of civil liberties and religious groups
that have frequently clashed over church-state and charitable choice
issues.  Dr. Edgar and the NCCs Deputy General Secretary for Research and
Planning, the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, were among Working Group members.

	On January 15, the group reported that it had reached consensus on 29
recommendations for ways in which President Bushs faith-based social
service proposals can be implemented without violating the First Amendment,
Dr. Edgar said, and without putting the financial and spiritual integrity
of churches and other faith groups at risk.  The remaining hurdle to the
proposals becoming reality, the Working Group said, is adequate funding by
the government.

	Now it is President Bushs turn to respond to this bipartisan, interfaith
working group, Dr. Edgar said.  Adequate funding is the Presidents
responsibility.

-end-