wfn.org | ELCA Bishops Call for End to Armed Conflict in Liberia

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 20, 2002

ELCA BISHOPS CALL FOR END TO ARMED CONFLICT IN LIBERIA
02-054-JB

     VANCOUVER, B.C. (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) called on the U.S.
government to help bring an end to armed conflict in the West African
nation of Liberia.  The conflict has resulted "in a dire humanitarian
situation" because of the displacement of people in the country and
others who have fled to nearby Sierra Leone, the resolution said.
     The ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory body to the church.
Its members are the church's 65 synod bishops, ELCA presiding bishop and
ELCA secretary.  The bishops met here March 7-12 at the invitation of
the bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
     "This is an appeal to all of the bishops to request the United
States play a lead role to bring the parties to the table and end the
carnage in Liberia," said the Rev. A. Donald Main, who introduced the
resolution.  Main is bishop of the ELCA Upper Susquehanna Synod,
Lewisburg, Pa.
     The bishops' resolution said the Rev. Sumoward Harris, bishop of
the Lutheran Church in Liberia, appealed to the ELCA to urge the U.S.
government to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table.  It
noted that the leaders of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea agreed to aid
"displaced persons, repatriate refugees, enhance border security and
promote economic development in their countries."  The bishops also
called attention to the allegations of "sexual exploitation of refugee
children by humanitarian workers in the three countries."
     The bishops resolved to:
     + commit themselves and call upon others of the ELCA to
communicate to their elected officials the need for U.S. intervention
     + call upon the ELCA to "hold Liberia and countries of West Africa
in their prayers for peace"
     + commend religious leaders in Liberia for their work to end the
suffering of the Liberian people
     + call upon the leaders of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea to
"fully implement their recent agreement to bring peace" to the region
     + urge the international community to increase its assistance to
displaced people in the region and meet the humanitarian needs of people
affected by the conflict
     + call upon the United Nations to investigate fully and assist
national efforts to bring to justice those responsible for sexual
exploitation of refugee children in the region
     The resolution was affirmed by the board of the ELCA Division for
Global Mission, which met March 14-17 in Chicago.
BISHOPS AGREE TO ADDRESS REFUGEE ISSUES
     Members of the Conference of Bishops agreed to join with the Rev.
Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, to sign two letters addressed to
President George W. Bush regarding refugee issues.
     One letter pointed out that the U.S. State Department has
indicated it will likely admit no more than 50,000 refugees this year,
down considerably from the Bush Administration's commitment to admit
70,000 refugees.
     "This is like a lifeboat with 20,000 empty seats!" the letter
said.  "Dramatic measures are needed to restore our nation's commitment
to refugees, which has declined drastically in recent years."  Refugees
are not terrorists, the bishops' letter said, pointing out that the
United States has represented "a haven from persecution."
     In addition, the bishops called a $705 million Bush Administration
funding proposal for migration and refugee assistance "woefully
inadequate."  The ELCA bishops asked for at least $841 million for such
programs.
     "Ours (United States) is a tradition of welcoming neighbors and
protecting the persecuted," the bishops' letter said.  "It is part of
our tradition of liberty, opportunity and the immigrant heritage that is
our firm foundation.  Their family values are strong.  These are the
people we want as neighbors."
     A second letter signed by the ELCA bishops called on Bush to
support and endorse the Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act.
     "This legislation would provide significant protection to children
who would otherwise have to face custody and removal proceedings with
the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service," the letter said.  "It
provides every child in this situation a guardian and a court-appointed
attorney to identify and defend his or her best interests."
     Unaccompanied children are often jailed and treated as delinquents
even though they may have committed no crime, the bishops said.
Children in such a system may be deported despite their legal standing,
the letter stated.

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