Acting General Secretary Junge Underlines Ecumenical Significance

GENEVA, 20 October 2010 (LWI) – As churches around the world commemorate Reformation Day in 2010 on or around 31 October, Acting General Secretary of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Rev. Martin Junge has invited LWF member churches to observe this year’s anniversary with a special sense of gratitude as they reflect on the contemporary significance of the Reformation’s witness to the gospel.

Ecumenical Relief Body Assists Affected Population

BUDAPEST, Hungary/GENEVA, 19 October 2010 (LWI) – A Hungarian Lutheran bishop has strongly criticized those responsible for a toxic chemical spill in the country that has left at least nine people dead, injured 150, ruined many homes and damaged the environment.

Bishop Dr Tamás Fabiny, head of the Northern District of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary, said owners of the Ajkai Timfoldgyar plant in the western town of Ajka, the source of the waste, put profit ahead of people and the environment.

Scholarship Program Has Made a Difference for Churches and Society

GENEVA, 7 October 2010 (LWI) – A consultation called to review the international scholarship program of The Lutheran Word Federation (LWF) opened in the Swiss city of Montreux, with a call to effectively utilize the available resources and synergies in the Lutheran communion to promote ongoing learning.

Global Consultation Seeks New Strategies to Improve Decades’ Long Program

GENEVA, 1 October 2010 (LWI) – An international scholarship program of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) spanning a period of nearly 50 years has significantly contributed to enhancing the life and witness of LWF member churches in different contexts throughout the world.

Joint LWF – WCC Consultation Defines Basis for Challenging Economic Crisis

CHIANG MAI, Thailand/GENEVA, 17 September 2010 (LWI) – A group of leading Buddhist and Christians has underscored the urgency for faith communities to engage with government and financial institutions to transform personal and structural greed and help promote the equitable distribution of wealth.

Acting General Secretary Junge Offers Prayers and Support in Pursuit of Gender Justice

GENEVA, 16 September 2010 (LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has welcomed the appointment of former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet as head of the new United Nations agency, UN Women, saying it gives gender equality a high profile.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon named Bachelet to the post on 14 September. She was the first female president of Chile, and she is well known for her commitment to the pursuit of gender justice.

Call for Churches’ Prayers and Affirmation of Support through ACT Alliance

GENEVA, 7 September 2010 (LWI) – The President of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan has urged organizations providing humanitarian relief to people affected by the recent flooding in Pakistan to coordination such assistance effectively in order to reach those in need.

Calls on the LWF to Expose the Sin of Sexism

STUTTGART, Germany/GENEVA, 2 August 2010 – The general secretary of the World YWCA, Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzwanda, congratulated the Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) for resolutions on gender justice, human trafficking and the rights of Dalits.

In her greetings to the Assembly, Gumbonzwanda urged delegates to keep in mind that “as women and men, created in God’s image, both together are called to be God’s instruments of peace and justice for all creation.”