wfn.org | WCC UPDATE: US churches' peace and justice efforts highlighted

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches - Update
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org 
For immediate release - 06/10/2004

 US CHURCHES' RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE-MAKING EFFORTS
 HIGHLIGHTED AT WCC GATHERING

					   Free photo available, see below.

The immense responsibility of the US churches in the world today was
highlighted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev.
Dr Samuel Kobia during the annual meeting of the US member churches of the
WCC taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, 5-6 October 2004.

In the keynote speech of the opening session Kobia affirmed the work for
peace and justice done by the US churches as well as the support of
Christians worldwide for their efforts.

Given that "the US is now the world's only superpower" and that "its
policies and actions have consequences for every country in the world",
people around the world "are afraid of US power and the way it is being
used".

In this context, US churches are expected to "continue to advocate for a
responsible use of power", while their responsibility "to speak truth to
power" becomes "difficult and risky".

"This is precisely why churches worldwide are mobilized in support of
communities in the US that uphold another power, the power of peace, in all
places and at all times," stated Kobia. "They expect much from you, because
indeed much has been given to you," he added.

While affirming "the vitality and creativity of peace and justice work in
the US", which has in many ways been an inspiration for people everywhere,
Kobia also stressed the importance of grounding that work "in spiritual
discernment and prayer".

The responsibility of the US churches was also underlined by the senior
pastor of the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Rev. Dr Joseph L. Roberts,
Jr. Preaching the homily at the opening worship of the meeting and quoting
Martin Luther King, Jr, Roberts emphasized that "true love is a painful
embrace".

As God "painfully embraces the world with all its evils," asked Roberts,
"will our arms reach those who are suffering" from Beslan to Abu Ghraib,
from Darfur to the thousands of women and children introduced every year
into the US and sold into forced labour and prostitution?

Atlanta welcomes the US conference annual meeting

"As Atlantans and as Americans, we applaud the WCC for its tireless pursuit
of peace and justice throughout our global community and for initiating the
Decade to Overcome Violence," stated Atlanta's Mayor Shirley Franklin at a
press conference held at the City Hall after the opening session of the
meeting.

The mayor welcomed the WCC gathering, presenting the council with the
city's Phoenix Award for its commitment to reconciliation and the
eradication of violence. In accepting the award the WCC general secretary
recognized the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr, "a hero to thousands and
millions", whose lives "have been transformed" by his message.

Also participating at the press conference were: Dr Bernice Powell Jackson,
WCC president from North America; Martin Luther King III, honorary chair of
the Atlanta Ecumenical Planning Committee; Rev. Dr T. DeWitt Smith, Jr,
moderator of the Atlanta Ecumenical Planning Committee; Rev. Dr Angelique
Walker-Smith, chair of the US Conference annual meeting Planning Committee;
Rev. Deborah DeWinter, WCC programme executive for the US.

A free high resolution photo is available at
http://www.wcc-usa.org/wcc-usa.nsf/atlanta2004photos 

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153  +41 79 507 6363
	 media@wcc-coe.org 

Sign up for WCC press releases at
http://onlineservices.wcc-coe.org/pressnames.nsf

 The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in
 more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
 traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
 cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
 which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
 inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
 general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.