Across Pacific & Asia
 ECUADOR
Evangelicals called to solve crisis
 

QUITO,  March  l7 (ALC) The Ecuadorian Evangelical Confraternity called on
the Church and society to "persevere in a constructive spirit and to seek
solutions" in the face of the serious economic and political crisis racking
Ecuador.

We want "to be the voice of the poor and needy, who we serve, who we form
part of and who cannot withstand more suffering. Unfortunately, many of
those who have access to public spaces talk about the poor in abstract
terms. We speak of the poor with an Ecuadorian face," said a document
published by the entity that brings together the majority of Evangelical
Churches in this South American country.

"We believe that this is the time for compassion and to build horizons of
hope. We affirm that today is the time for justice, solidarity and low,"
said Evangelical Churches as a series of strikes and protests have been
launched against President Jamil Mahuad's economic measures.

The severity of the situation motivated the US State Department to warn
political parties that they must seek a solution to the economic crisis
"within the Constitution."

The Confraternity announced that it has convened "an Evangelical Church
summit" next month in order to "construct life, denounce death, offer hope
and give our best to society in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

As Evangelical Churches we want to be among the first to confess what we
have failed to do and repent for what we have done badly, said the document.
We invite all sectors of our society to promote conversion and repentance,
in order to change behavior patterns. "We must have the courage to affirm
the right to life in abundance for all, without exceptions," the Evangelical
group said.

Within the framework of the battle against extreme poverty, Evangelical
Churches attend a third of the population who receives "the solidarity
bond," an aid system for the neediest established by the government last
October. (end/eva/sp/alc).

Agencia Latinoamericana y Caribena de Comunicacion (ALC)
Latin American and Caribbean Communication Agency
Agencia Latino-Americana e Caribenha de Comunicacao
Apartado 14-225 Lima 14 Peru
Telfs. (51-1) 221 4073 / 221 1488
Fax (51-1) 221 2877  E-mail: alc+@amauta.rcp.net.pe

 
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