ELCA Bishop Hanson meets with Obama

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 12, 2008

ELCA Presiding Bishop, Other Religious Leaders, Meet with Obama
08-087-JB

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was among more than 30 national Christian leaders who met here June 10 with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. Hanson was invited by Obama's staff to meet privately with the Senator in a meeting in which Darfur, the Iraq war, gay rights, abortion and faith issues were discussed, the Associated Press reported.
Hanson said the meeting's purpose seemed to be an effort by Obama "to begin a process of being engaged with a diverse group of religious leaders." Attendees included leaders of Evangelical, Protestant and Roman Catholic churches and organizations, he said.
Among other things, Hanson said he explained to Obama that Lutherans "are on the ground" throughout the world, providing ministries that include disaster relief, response to HIV and AIDS and other diseases, alleviation of poverty and community development. Churches and other non-governmental agencies need a strong U.S. government partner to provide effective global healing ministries, Hanson said he told Obama.
Hanson also told Obama that next week he will visit churches and church leaders in Kenya and Tanzania. In Tanzania Hanson will chair a regular meeting of the Lutheran World Federation Council (LWF), in his role as LWF president. Obama has family roots in that region of Africa.
"Reaching out to the faith community is a priority for Barack Obama and will be a priority under an Obama administration," Obama spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters. Psaki added that Obama is expected to meet again with religious leaders in the coming months.
Hanson said he hopes to get similar invitations from the presumed Republican presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), and other presidential nominees.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
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