wfn.org | Russian Law on Religious Freedom

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (186
notes).

Note 185 by UMNS on June 30, 1997 at 16:18 Eastern (3184 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT:  Linda Bloom                          373(10-21-71B){185}
          New York (212) 870-3803                    June 30, 1997

Mission agency hopes to open
dialogue about new Russian law

     NEW YORK (UMNS) -- Responding to the proposed new law on
religious freedom in Russia, the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries is inviting church leaders there and relevant
ecumenical bodies to join in an open dialogue on the issue.
     In a June 26 statement, board officials appealed specifically
to both the Russian Orthodox Church and the World Council of
Churches to enter discussions on the implications of the new law.
     The bill, "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious
Associations," already has passed the lower house of the Russian
parliament and is expected to be sent to President Boris Yeltsin
for his approval. If signed into law, it would severely restrict
activities of foreign missionaries and minority religious groups.
     United Methodist Bishop Ruediger Minor of Moscow has voiced
his concerns about how the law could affect United Methodist work
in Russia (See UMNS release no. 365, CWN {177}).
     The history of Methodism there dates from the late 1800s, but
was halted during the Soviet period. Since the re-establishment of
the Russian United Methodist Church in 1991, it has grown to 35
local churches, with a membership of 5,000, a constituency of
15,000 and is registered under existing laws.
     The board's statement noted it rejects proselytism and "the
harmful work of some sectarian groups and religious cults in
Russia" and "is sensitive to the tensions produced by this
activity."
     But, while respecting "the right of the Russian Orthodox
Church to a primary mission carried out over a millennium of
witnessing and suffering, we will continue to support the growth
and development of the Russian United Methodist Church as an
authentic Christian faith tradition in a spirit of ecumenical
partnership and cooperation," the statement said.
     "Russia must resist the urge to view reactionary legislation
as a substitute for long-term solutions to conflicts," it
continued. "One of the most important responsibilities of any
government is the preservation of human rights, including freedom
of religion.
     "The bedrock of ecumenical fellowship and cooperation is the
willingness of each of the denominations to protect every other
church's practices and beliefs from infringement by oppressive
forces," the statement added.
     Board officials said they "deeply regret" the Russian
Orthodox support of the new restrictive law, "without discussing
the matter with groups affected by it."
     Noting successful dialogues with the Russian Orthodox in the
past, board officials issued a call to renew such dialogues. The
statement also asks other United Methodist leaders and bodies to
communicate to their own governments and Russian ambassadors their
opposition to the new Russian law. 
                             #  #  # 

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