ELCA NEWS SERVICE
March 15, 2012
ELCA releases draft social statement on criminal justice
12-11-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
is addressing issues in the U.S. criminal justice system. The perspective
of an ELCA task force on the topic is featured in the "Draft Social
Statement on Criminal Justice" released to ELCA members and to the public
March 15. While commending positive aspects of the system, the draft
conveys some dissatisfaction with many areas about the criminal justice
system that urgently need reform.
"The task force was formed in response to concerns expressed from
ELCA synods about the alarmingly high incarceration rates in the United
States," said Cynthia Osborne, chair of the ELCA task force charged with
developing the social statement.
She said the United States ranks among the top two or three
countries in the world in percentage of people under control of a
criminal justice system -- one out of 31 adults and, for people of color,
as high as one out of 11.
"These concerns, an increasing societal doubt about the
effectiveness of our national incarceration strategies in reducing crime
and its harms to individuals, families and communities, compel our church
to address the need for change and to ask, 'What should this church have
to say about crime, its harm and justice in this country,'" said Osborne,
adding that the need for change must not be understood simply in the
abstract.
"We are also compelled to ask, 'What can people of faith,
specifically ELCA members, do in ministry to actively participate in
creating and guarding a system that is just, balanced and effective in
responding to those who do harm and to those harmed?'" she said.
While the ELCA affirms the fundamental principles of the U.S.
criminal justice system, such as due process of law and the presumption
of legal innocence, the draft also recognizes serious deficiencies -
overly harsh sentencing and persistent inequalities based on race and
class.
The draft statement calls ELCA members to ministry and compassion
through four practices: hearing the cries of those affected,
accompaniment, hospitality and advocacy. It asks members of this church
to recommit themselves to visiting the prisoner; correct the flawed
criminal justice system; participate in God's work with hands and hearts
and to hear the cries of people affected.
The draft social statement has a prologue and four primary sections
titled "Justice"; "Yearning for ever-fuller justice"; "Wise responses of
love"; and "Paths to greater justice." As a draft, the statement also
includes a response form designed for the 10,000 congregations of the
ELCA to share feedback.
The task force has invited the ELCA's 4.2 million members to
contribute responses to its work.
Responses to the draft from ELCA congregations are due Oct. 31. The
task force will review responses and use that as feedback to prepare a
proposed social statement with implementing resolutions for the 2013 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly to possibly consider as a formal statement on behalf
of this church.
ELCA social statements are teaching documents that assist members in
forming judgments on social issues. They set policy for this church and
guide its advocacy and work as a public church.
The 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly authorized the development of a
social statement on criminal justice. The task force has been studying
the issues and providing resource material for members since 2008.
The draft statement is available at http://www.ELCA.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements-in-Process/Criminal-Justice.aspx
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with 4.2 million members in 10,000 congregations across the 50
states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work.
Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in
Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's
roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper
773-380-2956 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.ELCA.org/news
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