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ELCA Lutherans in New York grieve suspension of Missouri Synod colleague
2002-177-6
7/11/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
Leaders of the New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have expressed sadness over the recent suspension of a Missouri Synod colleague, the Rev. David Benke, for his participation in an interfaith prayer service at Yankee Stadium for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
'Though we serve separate Lutheran denominations, President Benke and I have worked together in the New York region for the last 15 years,' said the Rev. Stephen Bouman, bishop of the ELCA synod. He said that the two leaders had worked to build homes for low income families in Brooklyn, 'served the most vulnerable in our midst through Lutheran Social Services,' and shaped a Lutheran response to the September 11 attacks by launching 'one of the largest religious disaster response teams every assembled in the U.S.'
Bouman argued that 'it was critical for religious leaders standing in the wake of a tragedy the magnitude of 9-11 to come together on behalf of their faith communities to lead New York City and the nation in prayer for healing. God expects Christians to go to the places where there is pain, sorrow and need so that we may provide God's care and healing in Jesus' name.'
'To participate with pagans in an interfaith service and, additionally, to give the impression that there might be more than one God is an extremely serious offense against the God of the Bible,' wrote the Rev. Wallace Schulz, the Missouri Synod's second vice president, in his letter of suspension.
The charges against Benke included 'unionism,' mixing the beliefs of various Christian churches, and 'syncretism,' mixing the views of Christians and non-Christians. Both are forbidden by the constitution of the church. Missouri Synod president, the Rev. Gerald Kieschnick, said that he had given Benke permission to attend the September 23 service, based on a decision at the church's convention to allow clergy to participate in civic events as long as they are free to express their religious views. A moderate who was elected president last year, Kieschnick has also been accused of syncretism but a church panel ruled that he answers only to the whole church as it meets every three years in convention.
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