|TOP|Lutherans should learn about and discuss the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan by praying and talking about it in the church, the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America said in a message to the denomination.

Mark Hanson, who also serves as president of the Lutheran World Federation, informed American Lutherans on Friday that a peace process has been initiated with the signing of a peace agreement in Darfur but that prayers are still desperately needed.

"The peace agreement has started a tenuous peace process that could end a tragic situation that President Bush and others have described as 'genocide,'" Hanson said.

"Similar to the genocide in Rwanda, the world has waited too long to respond in outrage and has allowed a poorly funded humanitarian response to take the place of political will and action,” he said in his “Statement on Darfur Peace Process.”

|AD|Observers hope the May 5 peace agreement between the largest rebel faction in Darfur – the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement – and the Khartoum government would bring an end to the three-year conflict that lead to the deaths of more than 200,000 Darfurians.

In his letter, Hanson credited the U.S. government, the African Union and the international community for facilitating the signing of the Peace Agreement, and called on the U.S. Congress to continue playing a key role by approving US$400 million for humanitarian and peacekeeping aid to Sudan in the 2006 fiscal year.

"I hope that these measures for peace, and the many follow-up steps that are needed, may finally bring an end to the human suffering in this part of Africa," he said.

For the Church, Hanson said Christians should “remain diligent in learning more” about what is happening in the “politically and historically complex” Sudan.

"These complexities can overwhelm and paralyze us, so that we do nothing,” he explained. “We must not let this happen. Christ died and was raised so that we might be free. Free to help our neighbor. Free to share God's love with all creation. Free to love one another. As children of this loving God, we are called to relieve human suffering and work together for a just and lasting peace. Together we can and do make a difference in Darfur and all of Sudan.”

Some of the direct action Hanson urged was for ELCA congregations and campuses to become places where people can learn about the conflict in Darfur, and host forums and candlelight vigils to raise awareness. He further called on individual Lutherans to contact elected representatives and tell them to continue giving appropriate aid to Sudan, and asked that Lutherans consider giving financial gifts for the situation.

“As presiding bishop I am thankful to be part of a church that is making a difference in Darfur," Hanson wrote. "At the same time I remain profoundly concerned about the people who continue to suffer. Together we must pray for the people of Darfur, for peace for all who live in this troubled region, and for those working to alleviate the human suffering."






Elaine Spencer
Christian Today Correspondent