wfn.org | Election of New Bishop Major Discussion at Kyrgyzstani Church

["Frank Imhoff" <frank_imhoff@elca.org>]

Election of New Bishop Major Discussion at Kyrgyzstani Church Synod 
Emmanuel Schanz to Remain in Office for Another Year

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan /GENEVA, 18 August 2004 (LWI) * Bishop Emmanuel Schanz,
head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kyrgyzstan, has stated his
willingness to remain in office for another year. 

The election of a new bishop was a focal point of the churchs 11th synod,
March 31 to April 2, in the Kyrgyzstani capital Bishkek. Schanz had informed
the 44 delegates of his intention to resign and proposed his deputy Rev.
Alfred Eichholz as successor. 

However, it became clear in the course of discussions that the statutes of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States, of which the
Kyrgyzstani church is a member, stipulated that a new bishop could only be
inaugurated in the presence of three Lutheran bishops. Schanz then rescinded
his decision, and stated that he would be available to serve for another
year. 

Bishop Martin Hein, Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck, a partner church
of the Kyrgyzstani church, expressed appreciation for Schanzs decision and
affirmed his own churchs willingness to continue providing support.

"We have come here not only to support you in your faith. We ourselves need
support and want to learn the faith here, with you," declared Provost Gerhard
Pauli of the Kurhessen-Waldeck church during the synod. 

In his report to the synod, Schanz said the Kyrgyzstani Lutheran church
currently has 15 congregations and around 1,170 members. He noted, however,
that there are not enough preachers. 

Alexander Schanz, president of the synod, reported that over 430 children and
youth had participated in the church summer camps, and the congregations
continued to grow. (275 words)

(By Marina Chudenko, ELCROS public relations officer.)

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