wfn.org | (LWF) Satisfaction with Outcome of First Lutheran Assembly

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

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

PRESS RELEASE NO. 39

Satisfaction with Outcome of First Lutheran Assembly in 21st Century
Panel with Journalists Points to Tenth Assembly Highlights

WINNIPEG, Canada, 31 July 2003 - In the final moments of the Tenth Assembly
of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the body's general secretary, Rev. Dr
Ishmael Noko, singled out the visible signs of progress in ecumenical
relations during this, the first LWF Assembly in the 21st century.

"For the first time in our 56-year history, we have worshipped in
non-Lutheran churches," declared Noko. He was referring to the Assembly
opening and closing worship services, both held in Roman Catholic cathedrals,
and to the daily Eucharistic and healing services held in Roman Catholic and
Anglican churches. Noko declared this sharing as "a visible sign of the
growing unity of the church."

The general secretary's remarks occurred during a wrap-up press conference
held in the Winnipeg Convention Centre plenary hall, before the start of the
Assembly's concluding session. 

Noko answered questions from the international group of journalists and
other media professionals who have been present throughout the Assembly. He
was joined on the panel by Rev. Raymond Schultz, National Bishop, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and chairperson of the Assembly Policy and
Reference Committee; and Rev. Dr Walter Altmann, President, Evangelical
Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, who chaired the editorial
committee that produced the Assembly "Message" summarizing the main
resolutions and achievements of the gathering.	

Noko also commendedthe Canadian church's courageous leadership on the issue
of the 50 delegates who were denied visas by the government of Canada. He
described the July 29 evening march and vigil to The Forks as a true
manifestation of the Assembly theme, "For the Healing of the World."  

Schultz said the visa issue had been a huge learning experience for his
church in terms of relations with the Canadian government. He also pointed
with pride to the gracious and "typically Canadian" service of more than 700
volunteers at the Assembly. The ELCIC hosted the July 21-31 Assembly with 825
participants including 380 delegates from LWF member churches.

General Secretary Noko referred to the previous day's lively discussion on
the issue of human sexuality as an example of the Assembly's ability to
address with dignity and mutual respect an issue that divides member churches
along cultural lines.

The panel responded to a question regarding a resolution calling on the
United States to sign the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change while not mentioning other countries that have
not signed on to the international environmental treaty. 

The responders answered that the US has special burdens of leadership
relative to less powerful nations and that this resolution reinforces the
"prophetic role" that the Evangelical Lutheran Church the largest US Lutheran
denomination, can play in promoting the healing of creation. Noko added that
"if the US signs, others will follow." 
 
Noko returned to the theme of ecumenism. "My hope is that we can begin to do
extraordinary things not dreamed about before." He was referring to the
issues that still divide Lutherans and Roman Catholics, such as the sacrament
of Holy Communion, the understanding of ministry and the role of the bishop
of Rome. Noko said that the participation of many denominations in the
Assembly opening worship at St. Boniface Roman Catholic Cathedral was a
"small step" toward dialogue on the other issues. "We can now walk into those
conersations with security," Noko concluded.

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 around 820 men, women and youth participants in the Tenth Assembly
including 380 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. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.