wfn.org | "News Release: Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu told protecting the environment is God*s will"

["Penny Blachut" <PBL@warc.ch>]

>** High Priority **

>World Alliance of Reformed Churches
>News Release
>24 August 2009

Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu told protecting the environment
is God*s will

The Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu will be following God*s
will by taking a leading role in efforts to reverse the effects
of climate change according to the leader of a global alliance of
Reformed churches.

Evoking the prayer in which Christians ask that the will of God
be *done on earth as it is in heaven*, the general secretary
of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC)  says, *I
don*t think global warming which is leading to shifting
ecological landscapes for nations such as Vanuatu is in the will
of God.*  

The General Secretary*s comments were made today to delegates
gathered in Port Vila, the Pacific country*s capital, for the
61st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (PCV)
which runs from 23 - 30 August . 

In a statement delivered to the national gathering of the
country*s largest denomination, Setri Nyomi says: *All in the
church need to make a new commitment to changes in lifestyle that
reflect the will of God.*

Earlier, Nyomi addressed a group of senior church leaders during
a study seminar which focussed on the legacy for Vanuatu today of
the 16th century church reformer, John Calvin.  Emphasizing the
French lawyer and theologian*s concern for the environment,
Nyomi quoted a sermon Calvin preached in December 1555.  

In speaking of cutting down trees, Nyomi noted that Calvin
proclaimed: *Today, such cruelty is even greater among those
who call themselves Christians. For today they go about scorching
and burning the land which is worse than cutting throats.*   

*This is John Calvin speaking 453 years ago,* Nyomi marvels,
*not a 21st century ecological activist.*

During the opening ceremony of the Assembly on Sunday, the
country*s acting President, Maxime Carlot Korman, and Prime
Minister Edward Nipake Natapei affirmed the importance of the
church and state working together for the good of the nation. The
PCV played a key role in the country*s independence movement
which led to the creation of Vanuatu, the former New Hebrides, in
1980.  

Yesterday*s events included the installation of the church*s
new senior leader, Moses Obed, who will serve in the role of
Moderator.

Nyomi in his comments today confirmed WARC*s appreciation for
the church and its leadership saying: *Historically the church
played a constructive role in the independence of Vanuatu and
continues to provide education and health facilities and to speak
out on issues of environmental justice.*

>***

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) brings together
75 million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries -
united in their commitment to making a difference in a troubled
world. The WARC general secretary is Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi of the
Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. WARC's secretariat is
based in Geneva, Switzerland.

>Contact:
>Ms Kristine Greenaway
>Executive Secretary, Communications
>World Alliance of Reformed Churches
>150 Route de Ferney
>P.O. Box 2100
>1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
>tel.  +41.22 791 6243
>fax: +41.22 791 6505
>web: www.warc.ch