wfn.org | (LWF) Colorful Opening of LWF Tenth Assembly

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

LWF Tenth Assembly, Winnipeg, Canada, 21-31 July 2003

PRESS RELEASE NO. 05

Colorful Opening of LWF Tenth Assembly
Canadian Bishop Schultz: Church People Have Been Judgmental About Sexuality

WINNIPEG, Canada, July 21 - Pomp and color marked the opening Eucharist of
the Lutheran World Federation Tenth Assembly, being hosted here by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC).

The Lutheran worship service, which was held at the St Boniface Cathedral
(Roman Catholic), started with a colorful procession to the adjacent Red
River, where over 400 delegates to the Assembly had gathered for a dedication
ceremony. 

The service was led by the ELCIC National Bishop Raymond Schultz and the
Most Rev. Emilius Goulet of the Cathedral. Also present were the LWF
President, Bishop emeritus Dr. Christian Krause, General Secretary Dr Ishmael
Noko, Archbishop Michael Peers, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada,
Cardinal Walter Casper, President of the Pontific Council for Promoting
Christian Unity and Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi, General Secretary of World Alliance
of Reformed Churches.

The Assembly runs from 21 to 31 July under the theme "For the Healing of the
World." Some 700 participants will be attending.

In a thought-provoking sermon, Schultz regretted that the Church has
remained reserved on issues of sexuality even in the era of HIV/AIDS. "Church
people have been more judgmental about sexuality than practically any other
aspect of human behavior, yet it is in sexual seeking that humans act out
their deepest longings for love, belonging and identity," he said.

"To have such a powerful aspect of human experience tied to such a terrible
disease is an enormous challenge, but also an enomous opportunity. Here is
where unconditional acceptance of sufferers and compassion of the highest
order can touch people where their self-esteem is most threatened, and their
spiritual health is most eroded by the disapproval and censure of their
society," he added.

On the theme of the Assembly, Bishop Schultz remarked that the church had
been called to bring compassion and mercy for the suffering, peace and
reconciliation for the conflicted, justice and equity for the oppressed,
shelter and hospitality for the homeless and hope for the hopeless.

The Assembly, which is LWF's highest decision making body takes place every
six years and brings together delegates from the LWF member churches from
across the world. 

The Tenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is taking place
21-31 July 2003 in Winnipeg, Canada, under the theme "For the Healing of the
World." It is being hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
(ELCIC).

There are almost 700 men, women and youth participants in the Tenth Assembly
including 356 delegates from the 133 churches with full membership and three
associate members. The Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the
LWF, and meets normally every six years. Between Assemblies, the LWF is
governed by its Council that meets annually, and by its Executive Committee.

Further information including photos, video and audio news, is posted on the
Assembly Web site www.lwf-assembly.org 

To order photographs, please contact LWF-Photo@lutheranworld.org 

*	*	*

The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now has 136 member
churches in 76 countries representing over 61.7 million of the 65.4 million
Lutherans worldwide. 

The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest
such as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian
assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission
and development work. Is secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.