29.05.2003
LWF Tenth Assembly to Proceed as Scheduled
With Regard to SARS General Secretary Promises Necessary Precautions will be in Place in WinnipegWINNIPEG, Canada/GENEVA, 29 May 2003 (LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is satisfied that the SARS outbreak in Canada has been curbed and will not negatively impact on the forthcoming LWF Tenth Assembly to be held in Winnipeg.
Addressing a press conference during a visit to Winnipeg LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko said the Assembly will proceed as scheduled at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, July 21-31, with over 1,000 participants expected, including more than 430 delegates from the 136 LWF member churches in 76 countries worldwide.
On April 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned people not to travel to Toronto, Canada's largest city, because of an outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome that claimed the lives of 16 people. The international advisory was lifted a week later but not before casting a chill on travel to Toronto. More recently, Canadian health authorities re-instated strict controls on Toronto area hospitals after new cases were found on patients there. But the WHO did not issue another warning against travel to the city.
Noko said the LWF has made some "very strong inquiries" about the situation in Canada. But there was never any consideration given to delaying or relocating the Assembly because of SARS, he noted.
"It never came to a question of postponing the event. I never had to call the [LWF] Executive Committee to come and discuss that," Noko told reporters at the Winnipeg news conference.
"We are satisfied with the health arrangements on this matter," he stressed.
Even so, the LWF will take precautions at the Assembly against any risk of contracting SARS. He cited the distribution of the Eucharist during worship services, of which the practice is the use of a common cup during Holy Communion. He noted that individual cups will be available as an option. Also, medical staff will be on hand to offer the necessary advice.
"Whatever we do with the choices and options we are giving, the integrity of the [Lutheran] communion is not undermined," Noko emphasized.
The general secretary was in Winnipeg to promote the LWF Assembly, which is being held for only the second time in North America and the first time in Canada since the Federation’s founding in 1947. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) with 188,000 baptized members in 627 congregations throughout the nation, is hosting the Assembly. He attended an ELCIC pep rally for the event, May 23.
Noko's visit coincided with the announcement of Canada's first case of BSE or "mad cow disease" in the province of Alberta. The United States has closed its border to live cattle from Canada and other countries have banned Canadian beef as a result.
Diseases such as SARS and BSE tend, ironically, to highlight the theme of the LWF's Tenth Assembly "For the Healing of the World," because they are disruptive and damaging to people and nations, Noko said.
"SARS is a concern to all of us because it is not just a disease that threatens human life but also stigmatizes," he said. “These days the Canadians are experiencing stigmatization. This is making Canadians more sensitive to stigmatization and marginalization.”
Noko said preparations for the Assembly in Winnipeg are going well, despite some hitches outside Canada. In one case, the Canadian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia has denied visas to two of three Colombian delegates applying to attend the Assembly. He said the LWF believes it to be a "technical error" and is negotiating with Canadian officials to have the decision reversed.
Noko expressed his conviction that the Assembly will be "a rainbow of nations, cultures and churches." Besides Lutheran delegates and visitors, ecumenical visitors will include Walter Cardinal Kasper, President of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as well as representatives from Anglican, Methodist and other churches.
(Written for LWI by Winnipeg-based journalist Ron Friesen, agricultural reporter, Manitoba Co-operator.)
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