Statement on Darfur Peace Process

May 19, 2006

There is cautious, hopeful news about the Darfur region in western Sudan. The Sudanese government and the largest rebel faction in Darfur -- the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement -- signed a peace agreement, and that has started a tenuous peace process that could end a tragic situation that President Bush and others have described as "genocide." Some 200,000 to 400,000 people have died in a three-year conflict in Darfur, and more than 2.5 million people have been displaced from their homes. In addition there have been many reports of rapes, looting, burning of homes and other untold atrocities committed against primarily ethnic Africans living in Darfur. 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.

To their credit the U.S. government, the African Union and the international community facilitated the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement. I am grateful that the U.S. Congress is considering more than $400 million for humanitarian and peacekeeping aid to Sudan in the 2006 fiscal year, and I urge approval of this appropriation. And, most recently, the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding strict observance of the peace agreement and calling for a rapid transition to a stronger UN peacekeeping force from the current African Union force. 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.

While we rejoice in the hope that the Darfur peace agreement signifies, we must remain diligent in learning more about the conflict and advocating for real security and lasting peace. The situation in Sudan is politically and historically complex. These complexities can overwhelm and paralyze us, so that we do nothing. 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.

How are Lutherans making a difference?

• The ELCA, the Lutheran World Federation, Lutheran World Relief, Action by Churches Together and other relief agencies supported through ELCA International Disaster Response are providing needed supplies and relief right now in Sudan and neighboring countries. Read about our responses to the Darfur crisis at http://www.elca.org/disaster  on the ELCA Web site.
   
• In Washington, D.C. and at the United Nations, the people of the ELCA are consistent advocates for justice for all people including the people of Darfur. There's more information about this work at http://www.elca.org/advocacy on the ELCA Web Site.

ELCA congregations and campuses can become communities of moral deliberation on this topic. Our Lutheran theology reminds us that God calls us to use our best abilities to understand the created and fallen world, respond to disasters with compassion and seek justice for all of God's children. This understanding then guides our actions in the world. We are free to act out of Christian love and compassion.

What can we do as individuals?

• Learn about the conflict in Darfur and discuss it in your congregation.
• Host a forum on the subject or hold a candlelight vigil to raise awareness.
• Discover how Lutherans are responding to this humanitarian crisis.
• Contact elected representatives and urge them to continue providing appropriate aid and assistance.
• Urge President Bush and elected representatives to monitor the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement, and urge the Sudanese government to facilitate the timely and safe return of all internally displaced people.
• Give to ELCA International Disaster Response at http://www.elca.org/disaster/giving
  on the ELCA Web site or call 800-638-3522.

As presiding bishop I am thankful to be part of a church that is making a difference in Darfur. 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.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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