18.07.2008
LWF President Hanson Assures Zimbabwean Churches of Lutheran Solidarity
General Secretary Noko Urges Increased Action from Regional Political LeadersGENEVA, 18 July 2008 (LWI) - In a pastoral letter addressed to the heads of churches in Zimbabwe, the President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Bishop Mark S. Hanson, has expressed the Lutheran communion's solidarity and support toward Zimbabweans in their current difficult political and economic situation.
"Through the participation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ), the entire worldwide Lutheran communion is standing and working together with you in this struggle," wrote Hanson in the mid-July letter to all heads of churches in the country.
At its recent meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, the LWF Council requested the president's pastoral letter to the churches as an expression of the "LWF's hope and trust that God cares for and would save the suffering people of Zimbabwe."
Hanson is presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
His pastoral letter affirms the churches' efforts in helping people whose livelihoods had been undermined by the economic crisis, and who have faced violence and intimidation. "I applaud your initiatives to promote peace and to advocate for justice, especially where such initiatives have been taken ecumenically, as the common position of the churches in Zimbabwe."
The LWF president cited the Council's public statement on Zimbabwe, and final resolutions, through which it called "for an immediate end to political violence and repression" and the restoration of democracy. The LWF governing body also condemned "the attacks on Zimbabweans for exercising their right of democratic choice" as contrary to the purpose of the nation's struggle for liberation from colonial rule. It urged the establishment of a peace building process involving all actors at national, regional and international level.
"The LWF stands ready to support the people of Zimbabwe in rebuilding their nation and in restoring their hopes of a life in dignity and justice," added Hanson.
African Union, SADC
In related advocacy also requested by the Council, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko has urged Africa's political leaders to take a more active role in promoting human security in Zimbabwe and "in encouraging a political transition back to the democracy that the people of Zimbabwe have a right to expect."
In letters addressed separately to the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and to South Africa, Noko recalled the Council's affirmation of the crucial role of regional responses to Zimbabwe's crisis. He urged the AU chairperson, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, and his SADC counterpart, Zambian President Levy P. Mwanawasa, to further increase their efforts "to promote a return to genuine democracy in Zimbabwe and to avoid even worse suffering for its people."
Noko said the situation in Zimbabwe "is a moral challenge to all Africans and presents a critical test of the effectiveness of the institutions that have been created to promote peace, democracy, political stability and economic prosperity in Africa." The history of institutions such as the AU and SADC would be "indelibly stained" if they were unable to act quickly and effectively "to confront the obvious crisis in Zimbabwe," he wrote.
In the letter to South African President Thabo Mbeki, the LWF general secretary said he recognized "the exceptional sensitivity, complexity and risk involved" in South Africa's mediation role between the parties in Zimbabwe. "But ultimately, your priority-and the priority of all Africans and the whole international community-is for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe rather than the rivalries and ambitions of its leaders," added Noko.
The LWF is present in Zimbabwe through the ELCZ and through the Department for World Service associate program, Lutheran Development Service - Zimbabwe. (610 words)
The 2008 LWF Council actions are available at: www.lutheranworld.org/News/Welcome.EN.html
If you want to edit this article yourself and adapt it to a given format, follow our editing information
