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ELCT
Press Release Date:
March 14, 2003 |
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The Church asks for prayer that there be no war in Iraq The Secretary General of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCT), Mr. Amani Mwenegoha, has requested parties involved in deciding whether or not to have a war against Iraq and Baghdad, to do what they all can, in order to garner God's wisdom and talent in order to avoid war and to demonstrate sensitivity to the world at large. This call was made by the Secretary General of the ELCT, as he opened a meeting of the Planning Committee which took place at the New Safari Hotel in Arusha recently, during which ELCT plans for the years 2004-2006 were discussed. Mwenegoha said: "This is a last minute appeal to humanity to use the power of prayer, to God that 'the best, brightest, and the mightiest, of Baghdad, London and the White House, Washington', should have the wisdom and courage to humble themselves before God; avoid war and choose peace. "'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God' (Matt 5:9). "The church believes that God created men for love, grace and for his glory, and that God wants and calls us to seek peace and justice for all people in the world without any discrimination whatsoever. "All people are created in the image of God. Therefore, as disciples of Jesus Christ, the King of Peace, led by the Holy Spirit, we appeal to all leaders of the world, people of various faiths, and to peace lovers, to immediately cease threats against the innocent people of Iraq and the world at large. "It is sad to see that the most powerful nations on earth - specifically America and United Kingdom - prefer to use war as their foreign policy. "Meanwhile, the ELCT is disappointed by the disrespect for human rights shown by the Government of Iraq, and appeals to the Iraq Government to adhere to international human rights standards and to accept and implement UN Resolutions aimed at averting war against it. "The ELCT does not believe that war could bring peace in the world; rather, it will bring guilt, destruction and calamity to innocent lives, as well as increase hatred. "The life and humanity of every person should be valued and honored by every person in the world. Life in all humanity is holy. "A war against Iraq will lead to great harm for humanity and God's creation, in Iraq and for the Arab world. "War against Iraq can sharpen religious animosities between Muslims and Christians throughout the world. Therefore we call upon all who are in position to decide for or against war with Iraq, and upon the government of Iraq, that they do all within their power, that they pray for wisdom and boldness from God, and demonstrate sensitivity to the world at large, by averting war. "No one will be ashamed if this war does not take place except Satan. His Excellency President George W. Bush of America, and His Excellency President Saddam Hussein of Iraq, will be victorious and heroes before God and before the world if they prevent this war from taking place. He further said that the plans of the church will be adversely affected should war take place, and he explained that the time has now come for the church, through its dioceses and institutions, to place emphasis upon investment plans in order to reduce the load carried by members of the congregations who are already affected by increasing poverty. He explained the importance of the Planning Committee in the church, saying that, because of the great changes faced by the church, the Committee had the responsibility to ascertain that within the dioceses and institutions of the church there be planning, setting of priorities, and scheduling of procedures in planning. "Here, I mean: 'To plan means more than merely to make a list of needs," he said. He congratulated the Projects Committee for the success of the previous plan for the period 2001-2003, and he said that the success was the result of the good efforts of the committee to carefully see the plans through so that they satisfied needs. Mr. Mwenegoha said, "This work is heavy, and needs prayer. Funding from overseas partners is rapidly diminishing. It is good for us to continue to consider means to maintain our achievements without too much dependence on outside help." The second area of priority in Church Joint Plans insists upon the importance of local income generation, from the grassroots level up to the diocese level. "Finally, let us remind one another that we should be creative and should help one another so that we may be able to overcome the challenges that confront us. "I pray that the Spirit of the Lord give you strength, that he govern this session, and that you increasingly make decisions which will improve the performance of the work in his vineyard. Also continue to pray for peace in the world.# Issued by the office
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Kanisa lataka maombi yatumike ili vita isitokee Iraq Katibu Mkuu wa Kanisa
la Kiinjili la Kilutheri Tanzania (KKKT), Bw. Amani Wito huo umetolewa leo na Katibu Mkuu wa KKKT alipokuwa akifungua kikao cha Kamati ya Mipango iliyokutana Hoteli ya New Safari, Arusha, hivi karibuni kujadili na kuhakiki mipango ya pamoja ya kanisa kwa kipindi cha 2004 - 2006. "Tunasihi hata
kwa dakika hizi za mwisho kwa mataifa yote kutumia nguvu ya "Heri wapatanishi; Maana hao wataitwa wana wa Mungu (Mathayo 5:9) "Kanisa linaamini kwamba Mungu ameumba watu kwa upendo, neema na utukufu wake na kwamba Mungu anatuhitaji na anatuita kutafuta amani na haki na watu wote duniani bila ubaguzi wowote. "Binadamu wote wameumbwa kwa mfano wa Mungu. Kwa hiyo, kama wafuasi wa Yesu Kristo, Mfalme wa Amani, tukiongozwa na Roho Mtakatifu, tunatoa wito kwa viongozi wote duniani, watu wa imani mbalimbali na wapenda amani waache mara moja vitisho dhidi ya wananchi wasio na hatia wa Iraq na dunia. "Inasikitisha
kuona kuna nchi zenye uwezo na nguvu kuliko zingine duniani "Wakati huo
huo KKKT inasikitishwa na uvunjaji wa haki za binadamu "KKKT haiamini
kwamba vita vitaleta amani duniani bali uharibifu na madhara "Maisha na utu
wa kila mtu uthaminiwe na kuheshimiwa na kila mtu duniani. "Vita dhidi ya Iraq vitasababisha madhara makubwa kwa binadamu na uumbaji wa Mungu, nchini Iraq na nchi za Kiarabu. "Vita dhidi
ya Iraq vinaweza kuimarisha chuki za kidini kati ya Waislamu na "Hakuna atakayeaibika
vita isipotokea isipokuwa Shetani tu. Mhe. Rais George W. Bush wa Marekani
na Mhe. Rais Saddam Husein wa Iraq watakuwa Alisema mipango ya
kanisa kwa ujumla itaathirika endapo vita vitatokea na Akielezea umuhimu wa Kamati ya Mipango katika Kanisa, amesema kutokana na mabadiliko makubwa yanayo likabili Kanisa, kamati ina jukumu la kuhakikisha kuwa katika Dayosisi na vituo vya kanisa suala la kupanga lipo na kuweka kipaumbele katika kuratibu utaratibu wote wa kupanga. Hapa nina maana ya kwamba: "Kupanga ni zaidi ya kuweka orodha ya mahitaji," alisema. Aliipongeza Kamati
ya miradi katika kipindi kilichopitia mpango wa 2001 Bw. Mwenegoha aliesema:
"kazi hii ni nzito na inahitaji kuombewa. Ufadhili Eneo la pili la kipaumbele
katika mipango ya pamoja ya Kanisa inasisitiza "Mwisho, tukumbushane
tuwe wabunifu na kusaidiana ili tuweze kuvuka hata "Naomba Roho
wa Bwana akawatie nguvu pia atawale kikao hiki na mkazidi Imetolewa na Ofisi
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For more information contact: Elizabeth
Lobulu |
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