Hurricane Katrina: LWF Council Affirms Support, Prayers for Victims and their Families
LWF Council Meeting in Jerusalem/Bethlehem,
31 August – 6 September 2005
Scale of Disaster and Its Impact on the Poor Distressing
PRESS RELEASE N0. 14-2005
JERUSALEM/BETHLEHEM, 7 September 2005 (LWI) – Members of the Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) expressed shock at the scale of disaster and devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina on the communities of the Gulf States of the United States of America.
In a public statement adopted at their August 31-September 6 meeting in Jerusalem/Bethlehem, the Council members said they had “been deeply distressed by the extended suffering, predominantly of people living in poverty, particularly African-Americans, for days without essential care and aid.”
They assured the prayers of the LWF member churches around the world for the victims and all those affected by the disaster.
Adopting the public statement presented by the LWF Program Committee for International Affairs and Human Rights, the Council members also recognized and encouraged the important diaconic work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in response to this crisis. The LWF governing body equally encouraged support “from the LWF member churches and members of [the Geneva-based churches’ emergency response body,] Action by Churches Together (ACT) in the US as appropriate.”
*Around 170 participants attended this year’s Council meeting, including representatives from the LWF member churches on the 49-member governing body. Also attending were officials from LWF partner organizations, invited guests, stewards, interpreters and translators, and LWF staff. The Council is the annual governing body meeting between Assemblies held every six years. The current Council was appointed at the July 2003 Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada. It comprises the President, Treasurer and 48 persons elected by the Assembly. Other members include advisors, who are ordained and lay persons representing the different LWF regions.
* * *
If you want to edit this article yourself and adapt it to a given format, follow our editing information
