wfn.org | News Briefs

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2001-219

News Briefs

World Council meeting urges churches to find alternatives to globalization

     (ENS) Representatives from 29 countries gathered in mid-August at an international 
consultation in Fiji organized by the World Council of Churches and the Pacific 
Conference of Churches to wrestle with the effects of globalization. It ended with a 
call for churches to be more prophetic in their opposition to the distortions of 
economic globalization, urging them to search for viable alternatives that won't 
increase suffering and poverty, exploit workers or destroy the environment.

     Churches of the Pacific offered some viable alternatives in a presentation called 
"Island of Hope," a metaphor for the wholeness of life in which generosity, reciprocity 
and sharing of communal resources are central. They described land, sea and people as 
being integral parts of one's identity and called for a vision of solidarity in defense 
of creation. Participants from Africa and Asia offered similar metaphors from their 
cultures.

     "The specific role of the church is to provide insights into ethics and values of 
life," said Dr. Agnes Abuom of Kenya, one of the WCC presidents. "We must create places 
of sharing, spaces where God's people, with their diverse gifts, resources and 
experiences, can come to give and receive--a place where they begin a journey 
together. a journey of affirming an alternative global family. Economic globalization 
has separated people and fragmented communities. The people of God are called to walk 
together," she said.

    
 

Diocese of Pennsylvania takes legal action in dispute with parish

     (ENS) The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania has taken legal action to resolve a 
dispute with one of its parishes that is seeking to keep church property after it voted 
to form a separate corporation and leave the Episcopal Church.

     The diocese filed a petition to show cause in a Philadelphia court against Church 
of St. James the Less in East Falls after asking the parish voluntarily to return the 
property. The diocese is asking the court to declare null and void the parish's 1997 
act of merging the parish into a non-profit corporation in anticipation of leaving the 
church. It voted itself out of the church in April of 1999. The parish has not filed a 
response and no date for a hearing has been announced.

     The diocese says that the 1846 charter for incorporation acknowledges the 
constitution, canons, doctrine, discipline and worship of the diocese and its 
authority. Another provision in the charter prohibits the conveyance of church property 
without the consent of the Episcopal Church, including a vote by diocesan convention. 
The charter was amended in 1919 to include a provision that, if the original 
corporation is dissolved, its property is to be vested in trust for an existing or 
future congregation of the Episcopal Church in the diocese.

   
  

Forward Movement plans retreats in Georgia and Indiana

     (ENS) Forward Movement Publications is planning two retreats in October, featuring 
authors of the popular devotional, "Forward Day by Day." The October 12-14 retreat will 
be at Waycross Conference and Retreat Center, about an hour from Indianapolis, Indiana, 
on the theme, "Casting away and taking on." It will be led by retired bishop Edward W. 
Jones, Anne Sherbourne Jones, and Beaumont Stevenson. The October 19-21 retreat on the 
theme, "The Straight Story," will be held at Mikell Camp and Conference Center near 
Atlanta. It will be led by the Rev. William Dols, editor of The Bible WorkBench, the 
Rev. Edward Gleason, editor of "Day by Day," and the Rev. John Hall, director of Camp 
Mikell. For further information contact Anne Gleason at 800-543-1813.

    
 

Seafarers Center calls for end to exploitation of Kenyan workers

     (ENS) The Center for Seafarers Rights of the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI) of 
New York and New Jersey has called for an end to the exploitation of Kenyans who are 
being recruited to work on cruise vessels.

     The center has learned that a recruiting firm from the United Arab Emirates has 
approached about 50,000 Kenyan citizens to work on vessels owned by England, Spain, 
Portugal and Greece, asking them to pay a fee, to take a medical exam but not informing 
them that maritime certification is required for the work.

     "The exploitation of these poor people must be exposed by working with government 
officials and raising consciousness through the media," said Douglas Stevenson of SCI. 
"The church must stand as a witness to these workers." He wrote to Kenyan government 
officials seeking clarification of the issue. "In our experience some companies have 
exploited poor people by collecting fees with promises of high-paying jobs that do not 
exist." He also said that companies take advantage of low-income citizens in developing 
countries and "after they have collected considerable amounts of money these companies 
vanish with the people's money."

     Stevenson called the situation "deplorable" and said that it was important that 
everyone follow international conventions and recommendations. "Once again, it is the 
poor who suffer," he said.

     The Center for Seafarers Rights is a worldwide resource for legal research, 
education, advocacy and assistance, providing free counseling and referrals.