wfn.org | ELCA Bishops Resolve to Support 'Stand with Africa' Campaign

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 12, 2001

ELCA BISHOPS RESOLVE TO SUPPORT 'STAND WITH AFRICA' CAMPAIGN
01-052-JB

     SAN ANTONIO (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) pledged to be "strong and active
partners" with a Lutheran campaign to support African churches and
communities as they withstand HIV/AIDS, work to banish hunger and build
peace.
     The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the ELCA's 65
synod bishops, presiding bishop and secretary.  Members met here March
1-6.
     The bishops endorsed "Stand With Africa: A Campaign of Hope,"
which is being launched this spring.  The three-year campaign is an
effort of the ELCA World Hunger Program; Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
(LCMS); and Lutheran World Relief, the overseas relief and development
agency of the ELCA and LCMS.
     The bishops' action called on congregations and individuals to
join with others in learning about Africa; to continue strong support
for international debt relief; to advocate for justice and special
assistance in responding to the HIV/AIDS emergency in Africa; and to
respond to urgent needs in Africa through special gifts to "Stand With
Africa" through the ELCA Hunger Appeal.
     The bishops also expressed "strong support for an increase of at
least $1 billion in U.S. poverty-focused aid and HIV/AIDS assistance to
Africa."  The resolution suggested the funds might come from the federal
surplus.
     "Business as usual in light of this [HIV/AIDS] epidemic just won't
be enough," said the Rev. Howard E. Wennes, bishop of the ELCA Grand
Canyon Synod, Phoenix.  Wennes presented the resolution to the bishops
on behalf of the bishop's Committee on Ministry Among People in Poverty.
     The bishops' resolution concluded by encouraging congregations to
join the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs (LOGA) and Bread for
the World  "in raising up needs of Africa with our federal government in
the coming months and years."
     LOGA is the ELCA's federal public policy advocacy office, based in
Washington, D.C.   Bread for the World, Washington, D.C., lobbies
elected officials on behalf of hungry people worldwide.
      Last November, the ELCA Church Council affirmed the development
 of  "Stand With Africa."
-- -- --
     More information about "Stand With Africa: A Campaign of Hope" can
be found at http://www.standwithafrica.org on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html