AMERICAN CHURCHES PROTEST WHO DECISION

The National Council of Churches (USA) has urged President Donald Trump to reverse his decision to suspend funding from the World Health Organisation.

“This is dangerous, immoral and wrong,” read a statement from the council on April 16. “Even though international institutions such as the WHO are not perfect, suspension of funding … is irresponsible and ill-timed.”

Jim Winkler, president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches, said he was proud that the US is to date the largest WHO funder. “Whatever improvements that can be made in WHO are worthy of consideration but right now, as the entire world is fighting the coronavirus, it is not the time to suspend our funding,” he said. “That would be a disaster.”

The Rev Dr John Dorhauer, governing board chair of the National Council of Churches, called upon Trump to take back his words and not cut funding. “We owe the world more than that – and our contributions to world health are a moral obligation we cannot walk away from,” said Dorhauer. (WCC)

INDIA COVID-19 APPEAL

Churches in India are calling for support as they seek to provide a lifeline to the most vulnerable sectors of the population affected by the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. While wealthier families are able to respect the government’s quarantine regulations, they say, those living below the poverty line – including daily labourers and migrant workers – are facing unprecedented challenges.

The executive secretary of the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India (UELCI), the Rev Joshuva Peter, says the disease “is exposing once again India’s deep economic divide” with the country’s poorest people being hardest hit by restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of infections.

As of April 20, India had reported 17,265 cases of the virus with 543 deaths. That day, the government eased restrictions imposed as part of a nationwide lockdown, allowing some agricultural businesses such as farms and fisheries to resume operations. Essential public works will also re-open under strict social distancing guidelines, and trucks will be allowed to travel across state borders to permit distribution of agricultural produce. The Rev Peter said: “During this crisis, almost all of our member churches have done impressive emergency relief work supporting the most vulnerable with local resources and providing food to hungry people who have lost their livelihoods because of the lockdown.

“To begin with, the government ordered all distribution of food and essential supplies to be done exclusively through their official networks, causing a stalemate in relief work done by churches and NGOs. But this order was challenged by the opposition party and the court has ruled that it is sufficient for us to inform the government of our work, provided we comply with physical distancing and other safety instructions.” As well as working alongside poor families in the slums, UELCI member churches run mission hospitals which are playing a crucial part in the fight against the virus. (LWF)

CHRISTIANS BLAMED FOR CORONAVIRUS

The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group has warned Muslims to beware of infectious diseases such as Coronavirus, which it says are spread ‘by the crusader forces [Christians] who have invaded the country and the disbelieving countries that support them’.

Jo Newhouse, spokesperson for Open Doors’ work in sub-Saharan Africa, says: “Messaging like this is very terrifying for [Somali Christians]… who are forced to practise their faith in absolute secrecy. They are constantly spied on to look for signs of apostacy from Islam. Punishment is often death. These lies can only add complexity to already difficult circumstances. One encouraging positive is Muslim clerics have taken some action to counter these lies.”

While the Somalian government has closed educational institutions to limit the spread of the virus, teachers and mosque leaders have been sent to spread the word on how to prevent the spread of Covid-19 with loudspeakers at crossroads and other places where people gather. (Open Doors)

WCC PRESIDENT STEPS DOWN

The president of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, left the organisation in March to take over as presiding bishop in the Church of Norway.

Tveit, who held the role for 10 years, said he was returning to his home country and church with ‘broadened perspectives, a better understanding of ecumenism and just as eager and determined as ever to work for a fellowship in solidarity’.

“I bring with me strong impressions of what faith means for people living under difficult conditions. That has been inspiring and strengthened me further in my own faith and in the way I preach the Gospel,” he said. (WCC)