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The Lutheran World Federation
Lutheran World Information |
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| 27.02.2003 |
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| Alternatives to War Against Iraq Must Be Pursued |
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Europe: LWF Pre-Assembly Consultation Participants Fear Destabilization of Middle East
VIENNA, Austria/GENEVA, 27 February 2003 (LWI) - Opposition to a possible war against Iraq has been expressed by participants, representing over 20 countries, in the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) European Pre-Assembly Consultation (PAC) held 23-26 February in Vienna. In a February 26 letter to delegates who will attend the LWF Asian PAC scheduled for 2-6 March in Medan, Indonesia, the European PAC participants emphasize that Lutheran churches Europe-wide stand with those “who through massive protests demand that alternatives to war be pursued.”
It is unacceptable that the lives of others are put at risk in order to achieve a sense of security for people in Europe and North America, the letter continues. “Rather, issues of security must be approached through recognition of the vulnerability that we all share." Vulnerability is an inescapable human condition, states the letter.
The European PAC participants share the concern of the churches in the Middle East that war could adversely affect the situation of Christians in the region, "While we condemn the oppressive practices of the dictatorship in Iraq, we fear that armed conflict will further destabilize the region," they continue.
On economic globalization, one of the LWF Tenth Assembly's central themes, the participants say that globalization opens up possibilities for exchanging experiences and bringing people together. But it also serves to further the interests of those “already in power at the expense of the majority.” The European PAC delegates write that they too experience marginalization of groups and countries following processes involving neo-liberal concepts. Such processes are often portrayed as if there were no alternative, say the European church representatives. They say they want to proclaim that there certainly are alternatives, explore some of them and affirm their commitment toward just, sustainable and life-affirming economies.
The Vienna PAC delegates explain that they find it hard to define their Christian mission within the diversity of religions and cultures that has always been a reality in Europe. Within the LWF member churches themselves there are diverse ethnic groups, languages, cultures, family structures and lifestyles. This diversity must be embraced without abandoning justice and equality, they write. They affirm their belief that Christian faith and values should continue to play a central role in Europe.
The LWF European PAC was the second of five regional preparatory meetings being held in the run-up to the LWF Tenth Assembly. Some 80 participants attended the European consultation, including over 60 European LWF member church delegates to the Assembly. The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria hosted the event.
About 1,000 participants, including 436 delegates from the 136 LWF member churches are expected at the LWF Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, 21–31 July to be held under the theme “For the Healing of the World.” The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada will host the gathering. The Assembly is the LWF's highest decision-making body, and is normally held every six years.
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