CONTACT: Linda Bloom
(212) 870-3803
NEW YORK (UMNS) -- Responding to the proposed new law on religious freedom in Russia, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is inviting church leaders there and relevant ecumenical bodies to join in an open dialogue on the issue.
In a June 26 statement, board officials appealed specifically to both the Russian Orthodox Church and the World Council of Churches to enter discussions on the implications of the new law.
The bill, "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations," already has passed the lower house of the Russian parliament and is expected to be sent to President Boris Yeltsin for his approval. If signed into law, it would severely restrict activities of foreign missionaries and minority religious groups.
United Methodist Bishop Ruediger Minor of Moscow has voiced his concerns about how the law could affect United Methodist work in Russia (See UMNS release no. 365, CWN {177}).
The history of Methodism there dates from the late 1800s, but was halted during the Soviet period. Since the re-establishment of the Russian United Methodist Church in 1991, it has grown to 35 local churches, with a membership of 5,000, a constituency of 15,000 and is registered under existing laws.
The board's statement noted it rejects proselytism and "the harmful work of some sectarian groups and religious cults in Russia" and "is sensitive to the tensions produced by this activity."
But, while respecting "the right of the Russian Orthodox Church to a primary mission carried out over a millennium of witnessing and suffering, we will continue to support the growth and development of the Russian United Methodist Church as an authentic Christian faith tradition in a spirit of ecumenical partnership and cooperation," the statement said.
"Russia must resist the urge to view reactionary legislation as a substitute for long-term solutions to conflicts," it continued. "One of the most important responsibilities of any government is the preservation of human rights, including freedom of religion.
"The bedrock of ecumenical fellowship and cooperation is the willingness of each of the denominations to protect every other church's practices and beliefs from infringement by oppressive forces," the statement added.
Board officials said they "deeply regret" the Russian Orthodox support of the new restrictive law, "without discussing the matter with groups affected by it."
Noting successful dialogues with the Russian Orthodox in the past, board officials issued a call to renew such dialogues. The statement also asks other United Methodist leaders and bodies to communicate to their own governments and Russian ambassadors their opposition to the new Russian law.
June 30, 1997
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Global Connections: Russia
GBGM Statement on Religious Freedom -- Russia
GBGM