wfn.org | ALC News Service Noticias Sept 21 2003

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ALC NEWS SERVICE
E-mail: director@alcnoticias.org

ALC HEADLINES:
CHILE: Prayers for the country and for reconciliation in the Evangelical Te 
Deum
COLOMBIA: Communication to construct peace analyzed in economic event
NICARAGUA: Nicaraguans mourn the passing of former UCA Dean Xabier Gorostiaga
CHILE: World Vision Communications Coordinator presents book in UN session
ECUADOR: Christian blind people had emotional encounter

CHILE
Prayers for the country and for reconciliation in the Evangelical Te Deum

SANTIAGO , September 15, 2003 (alc). Prayers for reconciliation, for God to 
illuminate the judges, for the armed forces to be reunited with the 
citizens and for the health of the wife of the President Luisa Duran, were 
offered by participants at the Evangelical Te-Deum celebrated here.

The worship, held annually on Chiles national holiday, was attended by 
President Ricardo Lagos, accompanied by his daughter Ximena, as his wife is 
ill, Senate President Andres Zaldivar, Interior Minister Jose Miguel 
Insulza and Defense Minister Michelle Bachelet, Army Commander in Chief 
Juan Emilio Cheyre and others.

President Lagos was officially received by the Pastor of the Evangelical 
Cathedral of the Pentecostal Methodist Church, Eduardo Duran, who prayed 
particularly for the health of Luisa Duran.

Bishop Francisco Anabalon, president of the Committee of Evangelical 
Organizations (COE), said that in order for the country to progress there 
is a need for the different sides to ask for forgiveness and to forgive, in 
a clear allusion to the September 11, 1973 coup.

As he left, Lagos said he was very grateful for the prayers for his wife. 
We are sure that this is an expression of caring and concern about her 
situation and we hope that everything is alright. Luisa Duran is suffering 
from a benign tracheal stenosis, an inflammation of the trachea that can 
lead to serious respiratory crisis.

The 30th anniversary of Gen. Augusto Pinochets coup was also remember in 
prayer as people called for national unity and reconciliation. Regarding 
Bishop Anabalons intervention, Lagos said it was a look to the past with 
an eye to the future.

What gives us strength as a country is the capacity for understanding 
about fundamental themes. There are different opinions about the facts of 
the past but there is a common convergence regarding the tasks we have 
today, here and now, to build the future, said the president.

  In his prayer, Bishop Jorge Mendez, of the Church of Philadelphia, prayed 
for the countrys judges so that God inspire them with a profound sense of 
justice. He also prayed for the president so that God would grant him 
strength and wisdom to govern and for the countrys ministries and officials.

Mendez interceded for the Armed Forces: We pray that the armed forces and 
all citizens would be reunited so that they are inspired with a profound 
sense of love and forgiveness, he said.

Evangelical Bishops expressed their concern for the human being and for 
greater social justice. Mendez asked that commercial achievements produce 
benefits for all and not just a few and that the authorities confront 
challenges in education, health and justice with equity for all.

Bishop Salvador Pino, of the Pentecostal Church, prayed for Luisa Duran and 
said that today Chile has a positive image and he asked that God bless all 
the productive sectors so that Chile continue to grow and we can see a 
social justice for the most humble sectors.

COLOMBIA
Communication to construct peace analyzed in economic event

By Amparo Beltran
BOGOTA, September 16, 2003 (alc). The X Ecumenical Christian Communication 
meeting, held in this capital September 13-14 was based on the theme 
Theology of Communication for the Construction of Peace.

The objective was to create a space for reflection based on the Biblical 
and theological foundation of communication in order to generate a 
commitment for the construction of peace, propose a pedagogy of peace by 
turning to alternative media and by raising public awareness about the 
current situation of mass media, the control it exercises and the way it 
manages information.

The 58 representatives from the Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite, 
Methodist, Presbyterian, United Pentecostal, Christian Alliance, Disciples 
of Christ, Antiguos Catholics, International Evangelical and Charismatic 
Churches, who presented their positions and analyzed them in groups.

Felix Posada, director of the Latin American Grassroots Communication 
Center (CEPALC), which organized the event, presented the theme The state 
of the mass communication media in Colombia and the world.

Posada emphasized the phenomenon of globalization and noted that the three 
major power centers, United States, the European Union and Japan, 
concentrate 85 percent of the worlds financial resources.

As a consequence of this, absolute poverty reaches 3 billion people. He 
revealed that 230 millionaires, 1 percent of the population, manage 36 
percent of the worlds wealth.

He said that the communication world is no different. For example, the US 
company Time - Warner - AOL -, concentrates the majority of the worlds 
communication media.

In television it has CNN, Carton Network, TNT, HBO, History, Warner Bros, 
A&E. In music:  Warner. In magazine Time, Fortune, Sports Illustrated, 
People. In Internet, AOL.

In Latin America, Colombia is no exception. The concentration has reached a 
point where there is only one national daily and commercial radio is in the 
hands of the multinational PRISA of Spain.

The Rev. Gabriel Jaime Perez (SJ), dean of the communication and language 
faculty at the Pontifical University of Bogota offered a presentation on 
Communication in the Bible, proposals for a mediated reading of the Bible 
from a communication perspective.

He said that previously communication was understood as a basically 
rhetorical process but today we speak of integral communication, through 
the production, perception and uses of verbal and non-verbal language. In 
communication, he said, it is essential to distinguish three levels: 
information, meaning and participation.

Guillermo Olarte professor from the Javeriana University in Bogota spoke 
about the issue Theological Foundation of Communication. He clarified 
that information is part of communication and not communication in and of 
itself.

Communication means to place in common, he said. It is the opposite of what 
fascism proposes which is totalitarian and excludes any attempt at 
communication.	Regarding the theological basis of communication he said 
that the incarnation of Christ was an exercise in real communication. 
Evangelism means to disseminate the good news among human beings and to 
generate diverse languages to express it and to make it public.

Presbyterian Pastor Alba Luz Arrieta, project and systematization 
coordinator for the Methodist Churchs Justapaz spoke about how we must 
recognize conflict in order to solve it.  She said that sometimes 
subjectivity and selfishness weighs more and we must understand that while 
differences do exist they must not destroy us.

The meeting ended with a presentation of creative works, which revolved 
around theatre, radio, music, stories, poetry and art, all in a spiritual 
and liturgical framework.

NICARAGUA
Nicaraguans mourn the passing of former UCA Dean Xabier Gorostiaga

MANAGUA, September 17, 2003 (alc). Nicaraguan Christians and academics 
mourned the passing of the Rev. Xabier Gorostiaga (SJ), dean of the Central 
American University (UCA for its initials in Spanish) from 1991 to 1997.

Gorostiaga, born in Wales 66 years ago, was a renowned intellectual who 
studied economic, political and social processes and contributed to 
modernizing education in Nicaragua.

Between 1971 and 1975 he advised the Panamanian government in negotiations 
with the United States for the return of the Panama Canal and between 1979 
and 1981 he was the ruling Frente Sandinistas government Planning Director.

At the time, his presence and that of other Catholic priests in the 
Sandinista government sparked an angry reaction from the Vatican.

Gorostiaga passed away last Sunday in Bilbao, after a long battle with a 
cerebral tumor, said Eduardo Valdes, current dean of the university.

Xavier was always a person with enormous optimism. This helped him 
contribute to resolving problems with vast skills and hope. He knew how to 
present and formulate things so that people listened to him and took into 
account the possible solutions he proposed, said Panamanian priest Valdes.

Gorostiaga arrived in Nicaragua in 1961 and the Rev. Leon Pallais, founder 
of the UCA, helped him nationalize as a Nicaraguan. His stay was a short 
one but in 1979 he returned to stay for 18 years.

In 1981 he left his position in government in order to dedicate himself to 
academic activities at the Nicaraguan Social Studies Institute (INIES) and 
the Regional Economic and Social Investigations Coordinating Committee 
(CRIES). He also wrote for the magazines Pensamiento Propio and Envio.

He went through the tough years, years when the revolutionary process 
declined, years when he sought to ensure that the university was not 
partisan, when he proposed strengthening academic standards and not giving 
in to populist blackmail, said the Rev. Hernandez Pico (SJ).

Gorostiaga passed away in our Loyola house where our founder, San Ignacio 
de Loyola was born, said Valdes.  The funeral was held Monday afternoon. 
On Friday, the Jesuits planned to hold a mass.

An expert on the United Nations, in recent times Gorostiaga was dedicated 
to studying globalization and its impact on communities and individuals.

CHILE
World Vision Communications Coordinator presents book in UN session

SANTIAGO , September 19, 2003 (alc).  A book with photographs and 
testimonies that tells the story of 16 boys and girls from 8 indigenous 
groups in Chile, written by Patricio Cuevas was presented this Friday in 
Palais Wilson, the headquarters of the UN High Commissioner on Human 
Rights, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The presentation took place during a special UN session dedicated to the 
rights of girls and boys around the world. The meeting was attended by high 
UN officials, as well as government representatives and representatives 
from nongovernment organizations.

The meeting dealt specifically with discrimination and respect for the 
cultural identity of indigenous children and the human rights violations 
suffered by millions of children around the world.

In 1993 the General UN Assembly proclaimed the 1994-2004 period as the 
International Decade on Indigenous Populations in the world, in order to 
strengthen international cooperation to solve the problems confronted by 
indigenous people.

In 2000 the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was created, which then 
asked the Rights of the Child Committee to focus on the question of 
indigenous children in its annual day of discussion.

Publicist and photographer Patricio Cuevas (age 38) is the coordination of 
Corporative Communications for World Vision in Chile. He traveled to the 
farthest corners of the country to interview the 16 children age 4-12 who 
belong to 8 different ethnic groups.

They talk about how they play, live and dream. They speak about the pride 
of their traditions. When I think about the Kawaskar I realized that they 
were very brave, that they traveled through all the channels and hunted 
only with spears, (Yamils, 12-year-old Kawaskar. They also speak about 
discrimination. While people always criticize because one has brown skin. 
(Nicole, 10-year-old Aymara).

The UN Committee systematically describes indigenous children as a group 
that suffers discrimination regarding the majority of right consecrated in 
the Convention on the Rights of the Child and periodically calls on States 
to guarantee their right to enjoy their own culture.

Cuevas book is aimed at enriching the debate of this committee that 
includes representatives from government, UN bodies and agencies, civil 
society and experts.

During the day of discussion to debate the rights of indigenous children 
the aim will be to determine policies that benefit these children, however, 
they will be absent from this activity. The aim of this book is to 
contribute to the debate based on the testimony of the indigenous children 
themselves, said Cuevas.

They, through their particular perspectives will be the best reflection of 
the problems that affect them, as well as their dreams and wishes. The 
stories of the 16 Chilean boys and girls that appear in this work are 
transversal to the lives of many indigenous children in many parts of the 
world, he added.

The book was sponsored by UNICEF, the Secretary General of the Chilean 
Government, World Vision Chile and the National Board of Childrens 
Preschools. The text presented in Geneva is in English, funded by World 
Vision International, through its regional office for Latin America and the 
Caribbean.

ECUADOR
Christian blind people had emotional encounter

QUITO, September 19, 2003 (alc). The II Meeting of Blind Indigenous 
Christians did not only allow participants to hear dramatic testimony but 
to participate in a soccer game against a background of youthful joy and 
spirituality.

The La Primavera Training Center in Riobamba, in central Ecuador some 
3,000 meters above sea level and at the foot of the Chimborazo peak, the 
second highest in the South American Andes, was the site of the meeting, 
that brought together more than 50 blind or sight-impaired Christians.

The event was convened by the Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network, EDAN, 
the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Latin American Council of 
Churches (CLAI). The meeting, which took place August 7-9, has the 
collaboration of the Federation of Blind Ecaudorans (FENCE), the Indigenous 
Foundation of Ecuador (FUIDE) and the San Marcos Association in Chimborazo.

Christians came from all over Ecuador: the coast, highlands and eastern 
side of the country, mixing native Quichua with Spanish. The joy of the 
youth, a majority at the event, the reflexive attitude of Quichua 
indigenous and their desire to make themselves understood lent a special 
character to the Event.

For three days, participants reflected on the Word, exchanged experiences, 
adored the Lord of History and life, encouraged each other to take on 
responsibilities in the Church and society and to plan for the future.

The testimonies were a source of inspiration and learning. Carlos, a 
48-year-old indigenous man told about the exploitation he faced on a 
hacienda at age six when he began to work. He recalled the whippings he 
received, his escape at age 9 and how he returned when he was 13 with a gun 
to kill the man and he spoke about his conversion, how it changed his life, 
his aspirations and dreams.

Cesar spoke about how despite being blind he travels the mountains to teach 
literacy and to teach the Braille system to other blind brothers and 
sisters. Many of those present were a testimony to the tremendous effort of 
this teacher.

Angel told how he went to study in the city against his fathers wishes. He 
had to run away from home early one cold morning and now is in his final 
year of Law at the University of Quito.

Estelvina, a dean at the Adventist Church tirelessly prepared and shared 
typical food. Sharin, beautiful and expressive, proud of her indigenous 
tradition, told about her experience in studying psychology in order to 
help her people.

One unique moment was the soccer game. It was not programmed, but 
participants demanded it. Hilarity, enjoyment and enthusiasm characterized 
the game where blind people and some visually impaired connected more with 
the air than the ball. The game also served to deepen their friendships.

Another unique moment was a request from young people to discuss, analyze 
and reflect about dating, marriage and being a couple. If organizers had 
not put an end to the debate, they would have kept talking until dawn.

The Chimborazo said farewell to us, a testimony to so much history, so 
many dreams and efforts, but with a hopeful smile, said the Rev. Noel 
Fernandez Collot, EDAN coordinator for Latin America and director of the 
Cuban Council of Churchs pastoral committee on people with different 
capacities.

Next year, blind indigenous Christians from Ecuador will meet again and 
hopefully, according to participants, with others from other American 
latitudes, in order to share experiences, sing and praise God.

Moreover, as Fernandez said in the final workshop service, the aim is to 
see with inner vision, that God says rise up and walk, not only to improve 
our health or physical strength, but to transform our entire existence into 
something dignified, beautiful and full.

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