The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Rev Mark S. Hanson, who leads the 5-million member ELCA community has offered his “commitment to all who have been elected and in particular to President George W Bush.”

He called on ELCA’s members to pray for elected officials, and to participate actively in the civic life and continue to be “communities of moral deliberation” with regards to domestic and global matters of concern.

Hanson released a statement on 4th November stating that he would pray for Bush’s leadership in the role of American President.

“As a religious leader and a citizen with great regard for this country, I acknowledge as well the many voices that remind us of the significance of this election, not only for this country but for people throughout the world," said Hanson, who also serves as president of the Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, Switzerland, a global communion of 138 churches in 77 countries, representing 65 million Lutherans worldwide.”

“We have heard the challenge and the plea, that the economic, political and military power of the United States be exercised in ways that serve justice, peace and care for the environment. The American electorate has spoken in this election about its deep concern for personal moral values and faith. It is my hope that we will not separate personal morality from public responsibility for the complex moral issues of hunger and poverty, HIV/AIDS, environmental degradation, civil war and social inequities. May our faith not isolate us in fear but give us courage to work with others to find a just and lasting peace.”

Hanson stated that a good government was gift from God when the authority and responsibility is “exercised in the service of the common good.”

He urged that he would unite fully with the re-elected administration in working toward binding together the diverse community within the country.

Previously, Hanson had criticised both leading candidates in a statement released on September 27, when he requested that both men alter the tones of their campaigns. Both candidates, he states, were discussing far too much their fears about each other’s military service records. He encouraged that instead of this type of campaign that Bush and Kerry concentrate more on looking to the future and discussing what each other had to say about future plans towards issues such as the HIV/Aids pandemic, environmental concerns, the growing rich/poor divide, housing issues, health care, employment and education.

In particular Hanson thought that it was important to hear about how each candidate would go about securing world peace, and he stated that it was now time for America to stand side by side with people who suffer in the world.