The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) supports the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s declaration as a sanctuary church
The Lutheran World Information Centre
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has expressed its gratitude to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for its “visionary and prophetic stance” in declaring the denomination a sanctuary church.
Through their decisive action at the ELCA assembly on 5–10 August in Milwaukee, USA, the delegates approved a memorandum declaring that, as a sanctuary church, the ELCA commits to serving and supporting migrant children and families throughout the country. It became the first North American denomination to declare itself a sanctuary church.
“Wherever we look today, the dignity and equal worth of all people as those created in the image of God is increasingly being called into question in many parts of society, including in some churches,” said the acting LWF general secretary Maria Immonen. “It is empowering and uplifting that one of our member churches is taking such a clear, visionary and prophetic stance and the action that goes with it.”
“It is empowering and uplifting that one of our member churches is taking such a clear, visionary and prophetic stance and the action that goes with it,” acting LWF general secretary Maria Immonen.
Immonen, who is the director of LWF World Service, referred to the document “Welcoming the Stranger”, which was developed by the LWF and other faith-based organisations together with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2013. The action of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s assembly, she added, “affirms the self-understanding of the Lutheran communion, of the church – as a place to welcome the stranger and serve one’s neighbour”.
ELCA presiding bishop Elizabeth Eaton and other assembly participants organised a march and held a prayer vigil at the Milwaukee Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, promoting the church’s AMMPARO initiative.
Before the assembly vote, ELCA presiding bishop Elizabeth Eaton joined more than 700 assembly participants in a march and prayer vigil at the Milwaukee Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. The aim of the event was to draw attention to concerns about human rights in connection with the migrant children and families entering the USA across the southern border.
The ELCA continues to work on just and humane policies that would affect migrants in the country and beyond, implementing the initiative Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO). The church also works closely with the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to address policy areas aimed at supporting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
During the Milwaukee march and prayer vigil, participants of the ELCA church assembly drew attention to concerns about human rights in connection with the migrant children and families entering the USA across the southern border. Photo: ELCA
Geneva
09.08.2019.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is one of the largest Christian denominations in the USA, with almost 3.5 million members in more than 9,100 communities across 50 states and the Caribbean region. Under the leadership of presiding bishop Elizabeth Eaton, it joined the LWF in 1988.
Source: The Lutheran World Federation
Photo: LWF/Sean Hawkey & ELCA