YEAR IN REVIEW 1996: RELIGION: PROTESTANT CHURCHES

PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Baptist Churches. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) At its annual meeting, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., adopted a resolution renouncing its racist roots. The body took action, apologizing for its past defense of slavery. The resolution called for the assembly "to unwaveringly denounce racism, in all its forms, as deplorable sin" and to "lament and repudiate historic acts of evil such as slavery from which we continue to reap a bitter harvest." Minorities continued to be the main source of growth in the SBC, as they had been since 1980. Currently about 500,000 were African-American, with another 300,000 being ethnic minorities. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, executive director of the American Baptist National Ministries (Northern Baptists), noted in response, "Isn't it ironic that 150 years after the split of the Baptist denomination over slavery, the sons of former slave owners must now come to the table to apologize to a son and daughter of former slaves. The arc of the universe is long but it does indeed bend toward justice." Wright-Riggins went on to say, "It would be wrong to single out the SBC as the only predominantly white denomination doing too little too late. Only a handful of denominations have launched intentional strategies to seriously deal with racial justice and the growing racial/ethnic diversity of mainline denominations." More than 20,000 "messengers" from the 15.6 million-member Southern Baptist denomination met on June 20-22, 1995, in Atlanta's Georgia Dome. The question of acceptance of homosexuals was raised in the American Baptist Churches USA when its Board of National Ministries severed ties with the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America "until such times as the BPF's stated aims, goals and resolutions are consistent with the American Baptist policies." The action followed a February 11 meeting of the BPFNA's Board of Directors in which that group decided to "take an active role at denominational meetings to defeat denominational resolutions that prevent gay, lesbian, and transgendered persons from becoming members of churches, being ordained, being credentialed for chaplaincy and pastoral counseling, and being employed in denominational structures." Wright-Riggins said, "We regret the truly partisan position BPFNA has taken. Many of us hoped that they would play a role of reconciler among Christian people who have differing positions on issues related to homosexuality." In Saudi Arabia two Philippine Baptists were jailed for holding private Bible studies. Colleagues insisted, however, that the Bible studies were not evangelistic efforts to convert Muslims. The international membership of the Baptist World Alliance kept growing, according to a recent BWA report. The alliance included 150,619 congregations and more than 38,540,000 members, an increase over 1994 of 2,841 congregations and more than 437,000 members. The alliance marked its 90th anniversary in 1995. (NORMAN R. DE PUY) This updates the article Baptist. PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) built a dwelling place for an inner-city congregation, took several actions strengthening its ecumenical witness, and elected new leaders during its 1995 General Assembly in Pittsburgh, Pa. The biennial gathering convened under the theme "Becoming a Dwelling Place for God." Disciples members donated hundreds of hours of volunteer service and thousands of dollars toward erecting a new worship space and community centre for East Hills Community Christian Church, a 140-member congregation located in one of Pittsburgh's most impoverished neighbourhoods. The assembly elected as its leaders for the next two years the Rev. Janet Long, moderator; Saundra Bryant, first vice moderator; and Paul Rivera, second vice moderator. The trio would preside over the General Board and Administrative Committee and the next General Assembly, which was scheduled to meet in 1997 in Denver, Colo. The plenary body also endorsed a plan to "reconcile ordained ministries" with the church's ecumenical partner, the United Church of Christ. This action eased the way for Disciples and United Church congregations to receive each other's ordained clergy. The Disciples and the UCC declared the churches to be in "full communion" in 1989. Another highlight was the approval of "Churches in Covenant Communion," a wide-ranging church unity plan that linked the Disciples with eight other U.S. mainline denominations. Besides the Disciples and the UCC, the participants included the United Methodist and Episcopal churches and three predominantly black Methodist bodies. The assembly also backed several "mission imperatives" for the denomination that involved strengthening ministries to children and youth, nurturing faith, and engaging in mission and congregational renewal. Voting representatives also reaffirmed the denomination's commitment to affirmative action. (CLIFFORD L. WILLIS) This updates the article Disciples of Christ. PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Church of Christ, Scientist. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) At the 100th annual meeting of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, held in Boston on June 5, 1995, members were invited to include one another and humankind in the love and healing of scientific Christianity. Incoming church president David C. Driver of Seattle, Wash., spoke to the members about the importance of loving one's neighbour as a collective responsibility. "No one is exempt from being defined as our neighbour--no one in our family, our church, our community, our country, our world," he pointed out. "And no one is exempt from the demand to love this neighbour from the same spiritual standpoint as ourselves. This is the love that breaks down walls of division." The meeting included presentations by the officers of the Mother Church as well as reports from members bringing out the vital role of Christian Science Reading Rooms in communities throughout the world. Virginia S. Harris, the publisher of the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, reported on the unprecedented public interest in spirituality and healing. "This surge continues," she pointed out, "and observers are predicting further growth in the next few years. In every heart there's a natural inclination toward the spiritual, the real." In speaking of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Eddy, Harris added, "The increasing demand for a greater understanding of spiritual existence is a direct result of the leavening action of this book's message." (M. VICTOR WESTBERG) PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) Howard W. Hunter, who became president of the church on June 5, 1994, died on March 3, 1995, after having served only nine months. (See OBITUARIES.) Sustained as the new president was Gordon B. Hinckley, 84, who had been an apostle since 1961 and a member of the church's First Presidency since 1981. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Hinckley had devoted most of his life to church public relations and pioneered in adapting modern electronic media to church uses. His counselors were Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust. New apostles were Jeffrey R. Holland, former president of Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, and Henry B. Eyring, former commissioner of the Church Education System. New temples were under construction in Hong Kong; Bogot, Colombia; Preston, England; Nashville, Tenn.; St. Louis, Mo.; Vernal and American Fork, Utah; Hartford, Conn.; Cochabamba, Bolivia; and Recife, Brazil. Substantial welfare assistance was given to those suffering from the floods in southern Georgia and Texas and from the earthquake in Kobe, Japan. More than 28,000 food packages and several tons of clothing were sent to needy and hungry people in Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, and Haiti. With a membership of nine million by 1995, the church had 2,024 stakes (dioceses), 21,800 wards (congregations), and 310 missions in 156 nations and territories. There had been a heavy growth of membership in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, the Philippines, and Eastern Europe. The church celebrated the centennial of the Family History Library on Nov. 13, 1994. The largest library of its kind in the world, the collection included 2 million reels of microfilmed genealogical records, 200,000 books, and more than 300,000 microfiches. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed four concerts in Washington, D.C., and New York City as part of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (LEONARD J. ARRINGTON) PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Churches of Christ. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) The international newspaper The Christian Chronicle highlighted world evangelism, disaster relief, efforts for worship renewal, and programs to nurture "Generation X" in 1995. There was a revival of interest across the nation in vacation Bible schools for children and a new emphasis on men and their spiritual role in the family. Ministries for seniors and families multiplied. Abilene (Texas) Christian University held its fifth workshop on "Equipping Women for Ministry," which correlated with the increasing use of women in the work of the church while reserving the roles of elder and preacher for men. Annual Bible lectureships on each of the 21 colleges and universities associated with Churches of Christ drew thousands to study the Bible's answers to current issues. Ten thousand from primarily African-American churches attended the Crusade for Christ in Atlanta, Ga. The 51st national lectureship was sponsored by the Harlem Church in New York City. Two other national forums, the International Soul Winning Workshop in Tulsa, Okla., and Jubilee in Nashville, Tenn., were attended by thousands. In May gifts poured into Oklahoma City, Okla., churches after the bombing of a federal building there. A task force from 29 congregations led rescue work and provided relief, housing, and counseling. Thousands joined Manna International in a day of fasting and prayer, and gifts were provided for the hurting and helpless in Haiti, Ethiopia, Croatia, Rwanda, El Salvador, and Ghana. At the end of five years of full-scale mission work, there were 100 churches in the former Soviet Union and 40 in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. In Haiti a Center for Biblical Studies began to train ministers and other leaders, while a church-run orphanage operated in Cap-Hatien. Nigerian Christian Bible College began a bachelor's degree program. After 33 years Sunset School of Preaching in Lubbock, Texas, became International Bible Institute. (M. NORVEL YOUNG) PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Jehovah's Witnesses. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) "You are to be Bible educators," explained Albert D. Schroeder, a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. He spoke these words to the graduating missionary class of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead that in April was the first to use the new Watchtower Educational Center in Patterson, N.Y. This complex of 28 buildings--including school facilities, an office building, and residence buildings for 1,500--was built entirely by volunteers. Since ground was broken in 1988, more than five million hours of labour had gone into the project. The centre coordinated the work of more than 1,000 translators in 93 countries, making it possible to publish literature in various languages, currently numbering 271. On Sept. 29, 1994, a daylong program at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C., focused on the Witnesses' integrity in the face of the Nazi terror and also on their outspokenness at a time when many other religions were silent. Michael Berenbaum, director of the museum's Research Institute, explained: "The Witnesses are in a very real sense the only voluntary victims. They are the only people who were persecuted, not because of what they did [or who they were], but because of what they refused to do. They would not swear allegiance to the state . . . and they would not utter the words 'Heil Hitler.' " Historian Christine King, chancellor of Staffordshire (England) University, added: "Those Witnesses were a rock in the mud. [One prisoner] said that they were the only people who didn't spit when the guards walked past. They were the only people who didn't deal with all of this by hatred, but by love and hope--feeling that there was a purpose. . . . brought morally to their knees the might of that Gestapo power." In contrast to others, King said, "They spoke out from the beginning. They spoke out with one voice. And they spoke out with a tremendous courage, which has a message for all of us." (MILTON HENSCHEL) PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Lutheran Communion. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) The Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) met in Windhoek, Namibia, in June 1995. This was the first meeting held under the leadership of Ishmael Noko of Zimbabwe, elected general secretary in 1994. Resolutions were adopted noting the importance of Jerusalem in the Middle Eastern peace process, calling upon the International Tribunal for Rwanda to begin its work, and urging all governments to desist from the testing of nuclear weapons. The council accepted a proposal for joint cooperation between the LWF and the World Council of Churches for emergency relief work. The council also admitted two new member churches to the LWF, bringing its membership to 122. The council confirmed its commitment to the ordination of women. About 70% of the LWF member churches were prepared to ordain women. This confirmation was made in view of the decision of the archbishop of the Latvian Lutheran Church to halt the ordination of women. The council devoted attention to the ninth assembly of the LWF to be held in July 1997 in Hong Kong, shortly after the territory reverted to China. The theme was to be "In Christ--Called to Witness." The assembly also would observe the 50th anniversary of the LWF. A synod of the official Swedish Lutheran Church meeting in Sigtuna, Sweden, in late August agreed on a constitutional separation of the church from the state effective in the year 2000. Ecumenical progress continued between a number of Nordic and Baltic Lutheran churches and several Anglican churches in the U.K. with the acceptance of the Porvoo Report, which recommended closer Anglican-Lutheran relations. This report had the approval of the Lutheran churches in Estonia, Norway, and Sweden and of Anglican churches in England, Ireland, and Scotland. A process continued by which certain condemnations expressed between Lutherans and Roman Catholics in the 16th century would be declared in 1997 as inapplicable. The assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the second largest Lutheran church in the world, elected H. George Anderson, a former seminary and college president, its second churchwide bishop. Anderson succeeded Herbert W. Chilstrom, who retired. On the final ballot Anderson defeated April Ulring Larson, a bishop of a synod of the ELCA; this marked the first time a woman had been a finalist in an election to head a U.S. Lutheran church. A statement on peace was approved by the assembly. At its convention in 1995, the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod reelected Alvin L. Barry to his second term as president. At the convention the church accepted several proposals for restructuring and formally joined the International Lutheran Council. (WILLIAM G. RUSCH) This updates the article Lutheranism. PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Methodist Churches. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) The officers of the World Methodist Council met in Cambridge, England, in October 1995 to finalize plans for the 17th World Methodist Conference, which was to be held in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 7-14, 1996. The conference theme was to be "Holy Spirit: Giver of Life." A new feature of the conference program would be a choice, on the second and third days, of 11 seminars focusing on world evangelism, international social concerns, family life issues, ecumenical relationships, Christian education, Wesleyan heritage and history, theological education, the renewal of church life for Methodist men, international publishing, worship, and Bible study. It would be the first time that the World Methodist Council had met in South America. The council, which had representatives from each of the 77 member churches, was scheduled to meet during the conference. The World Federation of Methodist Women planned an Assembly on July 27-August 4, also in Rio de Janeiro. In 1996, also, there were to be celebrations at the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, London, to mark 50 years since the first meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which was held there in 1946. Representatives of the World Federation of Methodist Women took part in the United Nations Forum on Women in Huairou, near Beijing, on Aug. 30-Sept. 8, 1995. The Preliminary Commission for Dialogue between the Ecumenical Patriarch and the World Methodist Council held its third meeting in March 1995. A proposal regarding the inauguration of a full dialogue went for decision to the Ecumenical Patriarch and through the Patriarch to the 13 autocephalous Orthodox Churches. The World Methodist Council would make its decision in Rio de Janeiro in 1996. The World Methodist Council approved Methodist participation in the planning for an ecumenical event in Bethlehem at Christmas in the year 1999 to welcome the new millennium. The Christian Conference of Asia, a body that represented more than 120 churches in that region, decided to keep its headquarters in Hong Kong after the British colony reverted to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997. The British Methodist Conference, meeting in Bristol, England, in June 1995, voted to "discourage" churches and church organizations from applying to the National Lottery for funds. The conference also established an annual Youth Conference and received a report on substance abuse encouraging a sensitive awareness of the pressures faced by many young people and commended it for discussion. The conference adopted a statement on political responsibility that underlines the church's pastoral role toward people engaged in legitimate political activity and encourages Christians to proclaim their convictions boldly. (JOHN C.A. BARRETT) This updates the article Methodism. PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregational Churches. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) Can we arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the Reformation to enrich the ecumenical discussion today? This was the central question in a consultation organized by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) in Geneva at the end of 1994. The meeting brought together theologians from the Church of the Brethren, the Czech Hussite Church, the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, Hutterites, Mennonites, Moravians, Society of Friends, and Waldensians, as well as representatives of the Reformed and Lutheran traditions. In March 1995 Reformed and Anglican representatives agreed to survey the development of Anglican-Reformed relations since the appearance of God's Reign and Our Unity (1984) and to publish case studies on Anglican-Reformed cooperation at local and congregational levels. In July, Alliance and Pentecostal representatives agreed that international Reformed-Pentecostal dialogue should begin in May 1996. The first in a series of regional WARC consultations on Reformed faith and economic justice was held in Manila in March. While the Asian economy showed great dynamism, participants reported, there were significant human, social, and ecological costs involved. "Growth and poverty, the insolent wealth of the few and the misery of the many, go hand in hand." A second consultation took place in Zambia in October. The first meeting of the WARC European Area Council since the fall of the Berlin Wall took place in Edinburgh in August. Representatives of 40 WARC member churches condemned all forms of "ethnic cleansing" in former Yugoslavia and expressed their solidarity with churches throughout Central and Eastern Europe in the struggle against "nationalism, chauvinism and xenophobia." Nuclear testing by France and China came in for fierce criticism as "a retrograde step in the search for a peaceful and nuclear-free future." Discussions about unity in the Dutch Reformed family of churches in South Africa proceeded slowly as the white Dutch Reformed Church undertook an extended consultation of its synods and congregations. Under the aegis of the John Knox International Reformed Centre (Geneva), an ambitious project was launched in 1995 to produce a handbook on all the Reformed churches in the world. The Reformed family had a peculiar genius for division. A detailed survey of the reality of Reformed church life should underline the need to work toward greater cooperation and unity. Five churches were admitted to WARC membership in 1995: the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria, the Church of Christ in the Sudan among the Tiv (Nigeria), the Congregational Federation (U.K.), the Evangelical Church of Christ in Mozambique, and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hap Dong Chung Tong). WARC now linked over 70 million Christians in 198 churches in 99 countries. (PRAIC RAMONN) This updates the article Reformed and Presbyterian church. PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Religious Society of Friends. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) Like so many others, Quakers in Rwanda and Burundi were getting caught up in the devastating, persistent intertribal warfare. Several Quaker pastors in those countries were working in their communities and nationally to resolve conflicts and bring about understanding and reconciliation between Hutu and Tutsi and to deliver aid to refugees. In preparation for the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in September 1995, the Quaker UN Office in New York ran colloquiums to help negotiators focus on the issues so that decisions made at the conference might effectively be implemented. Representatives from each of the five world regions who had been giving leadership on the issues were invited, as were representatives from some of the emerging democracies. A cooperative group of Quakers from Western Europe, Russia, and the United States was planning a Friends House in Moscow, a centre for peace. Since there were a variety of visions of how such a venture might best serve the changing community and many practical difficulties to be considered, the work was proceeding with patient caution. Friends in Great Britain, the country that gave rise to the Quaker movement in the mid-17th century, agreed at their annual business sessions to change their name from London Yearly Meeting to Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM). At the meeting, British Friends also agreed on the text of the new edition of the YM's Quaker Faith & Practice: The Book of Christian Discipline of the YM of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain. This was the result of nine years of work by a committee of 30 Friends. As with the previous edition (1959), the new BYM Faith & Practice would be used in many parts of the Quaker world. (THOMAS F. TAYLOR) This updates the article Friends, Society of. PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Salvation Army. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) The work undertaken in 1995 by the Salvation Army undoubtedly provided the year's unofficial theme: fighting to improve the lives of people unable to help themselves. Addressing the Religious Alliance Against Pornography conference in February, Gen. Paul A. Rader acknowledged that pornography was a global problem that the churches of the world had a responsibility to fight. The conference, including 162 of the world's most prominent religious leaders, concluded with an action plan uniting churches against pornography, heightening government awareness, and passing legislation. Later in the year General Rader, together with the Christian Council of Social Service, launched an AIDS awareness campaign in Hyderabad, India. While AIDS was a worldwide problem, lack of facilities, finance, and education meant that the less developed nations were often the worst equipped to cope. The Salvation Army believed that AIDS might be combated through better understanding and prevention, and these factors were central to the theme of the campaign. During late summer a delegation of female Salvation Army officers attended the UN Forum on Women in Huairou, near Beijing. The officers were from Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, East Asia, the Americas, and the Caribbean. Salvation Army emergency teams provided assistance and spiritual comfort during the devastating earthquake in Kobe, Japan, the bomb blast in Oklahoma City, Okla., and the floods in Brazil. In postwar Rwanda the Army continued its vital relief work: caring for orphans and undertaking food-distribution, education, and health programs. Housing-for-the-homeless programs progressed in France and in the United Kingdom, combining accommodation with rehabilitation and employment training. In 1995 as always, wherever there was a need, the Salvation Army provided inspiration, hope, and practical assistance. (CHARMAINE FLETCHER) PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Seventh-day Adventist Church. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) Meeting in Utrecht, Neth., June 29 to July 8, 1995, the General Conference session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the world assembly that convened every five years, voted major changes to the constitution and bylaws of the church. Delegations to future General Conference sessions would include more lay members and field-workers and fewer administrators. The General Conference Executive Committee, which governed the church between sessions, became more international with a sharp decrease in the proportion of representatives from the U.S. As of Dec. 31, 1994, membership stood at 8,382,558, drawn from 208 countries. One controversial item discussed in Utrecht concerned the ordination of women ministers. This topic had come to the floor of the previous two sessions (1985, 1990). The session of 1990 voted not to proceed with the ordination of women clergy but granted them authority to function as pastoral leaders of local churches. In 1995 the North American Division of the church presented a request that each division of the world church be granted permission to decide for itself the issue of gender-inclusive ordination. After lively debate the session voted down the request by a two-to-one margin. With some 2,341 delegates and more than 50,000 Adventists attending weekend services, the Utrecht event was the largest of the 56 General Conference sessions that the church had conducted. Two major evangelistic projects were launched in 1995. In North America nearly 700 sites were downlinked to receive via satellite a five-week program of public evangelism originating in Chattanooga, Tenn. Total attendance averaged about 44,000 each night. "Hands Across the World," which called for the establishment of 2,000 strategically placed new congregations in various lands by the year 2000, was inaugurated for the world church. (WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON) PROTESTANT CHURCHES: The United Church of Canada. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) Perhaps the most notable event for the United Church of Canada in 1995 was the relocation of its national offices in March to rented facilities in the western suburbs of Toronto. Financial concerns continued to plague Canada's largest Protestant denomination, and the church expended much of its energy on budget issues. The proportion of money that was given for the work of the wider church continued to shrink in comparison with that given for local concerns. Anticipated deficits and new spending needs forced heavy program cuts early in the year. National office staff cuts were anticipated in 1996. Meanwhile, the denomination grappled with the need to set mission priorities so that cuts could be made with integrity and in response to constituency needs. The denomination at large raised CAN$308,276,194 in 1994 for all purposes. Approximately 90% of this money was directed to local church work. The denomination's new hymn book, Voices United, was to be published early in 1996. A new body to support ethnic ministries within the church was established in 1995. The church released statements on issues such as the church's budget, human rights and the Lubicon peoples, U.S. involvement in Haiti, Rwandan relief, and support for Canada's criminal code in relation to the sentencing of those convicted of crimes motivated by hate, bias, or prejudice. A major report issued through the church, "The Unitrends '94 Survey," generated widespread interest. This stewardship survey of church members and personnel clearly indicated that the trend in the church was to direct more of its resources toward supporting congregational life. (DOUGLAS L. FLANDERS) PROTESTANT CHURCHES: Unitarian (Universalist) Churches. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) An International Council of Unitarians and Universalists--the first in history--was founded near Boston on March 22-26, 1995, by delegates from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and Australia/New Zealand. It was the culmination of a process begun with a British General Assembly resolution in 1987. Although the council was taking over responsibilities formerly assumed by the U.S. Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)--with little fiscal support so far and apparently relying on a lay-led structure--the act still created a strong euphoria in the delegates. The 1995 North American General Assembly of the UUA attracted more than 2,600 clergy and laypersons to Spokane, Wash., June 15-20. Its theme was "Building Our Future: Generation by Generation." "Study resolutions" from 1994 were passed, including "Oppose the Marketing of Violence," "Criteria for U.S. Health Care Reform," and "A Job, a Home, a Hope." Among resolutions approved by the British General Assembly was one urging Queen Elizabeth II and European governments to strengthen and uphold humanitarian laws regarding the export of live animals. Another related to drug abusers and suppliers and to dangers in "letter of the law" application to drug abusers that do not address their addiction. Meadville/Lombard Theological School, Chicago, celebrated its 150th anniversary May 26-28. The denomination's Church of the Larger Fellowship reported that its 2,200 members lived in every U.S. state and Canadian province, as well as in 65 other countries. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee worked on three continents to create a more just world, with emphasis on the rights of women, children, and minorities. It was supported by more than 20,000 individuals and over 600 congregations. (JOHN NICHOLLS BOOTH) This updates the article Unitarianism and Universalism. PROTESTANT CHURCHES: United Church of Christ. (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) The General Synod of the l.5 million-member United Church of Christ (UCC), meeting in Oakland, Calif., in July 1995, took historic steps to change the church's structure in the national setting. Three proposed ministry units--Local Church, Justice and Witness, and Wider Church--along with an Office of the General Minister and President formed the core of the new structure. Delegates affirmed a transition process to be implemented in 1999. The delegates furthered the church's ecumenical commitments by affirming "the Church of Christ Uniting" proposal to establish full communion between the UCC and eight other denominations and by voting to "reconcile" ordained ministries with the UCC's ecumenical partner, the one million-member Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Other significant actions of the General Synod included the introduction and dedication of the recently published New Century Hymnal; reaffirmation of the church's commitment to be multiracial and multicultural; efforts to reduce violence in media and society; and renewed calls for solidarity with the poor and exploited in the United States and around the globe. Edith A. Guffey was reelected to a four-year term as secretary of the church; David Dean was elected moderator of the General Synod; and Margaret MacDonald and Frank Thomas were elected assistant moderators. Throughout the year the church continued its season of Theological Reflection on "A Church Attentive to the Word." The introduction of a new church school curriculum, "The Word Among Us," supported this effort. Continued attention was given to evangelism and stewardship concerns in light of continuing membership losses and reduced financial support at the regional and national levels. "Make a Difference," a major fund-raising campaign currently under way, thus far had raised almost $17 million toward a final goal of $30 million. (PAUL H. SHERRY) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH (For figures on Adherents of All Religions by Continent, see Table I; for Adherents in the U.S., see Table II.) Vatican missionary officials reported that for the first time, the world Catholic population exceeded one billion. Africa continued to be the area of most dynamic growth, its Catholic population having increased to more than 122 million from 2 million in 1900. Asia, with about two-thirds of the world's population, was less than 3% Catholic and continued to receive the greatest proportion of the church's missionary effort. A large meeting was held in Rome June 16-18, 1995, to explore more effective missionary strategies and to discover expanded roles for women in the process of evangelization. Pope John Paul II issued a major letter to the world's women on July 10. Responding to critics of the church's all-male clergy, the pope said that the male priesthood does not detract from the dignity of the role of women or signify male domination of the church. His words evoked some criticism on this topic and promised to remain controversial. Very favourable reactions met the pope's condemnation of prostitution, rape, torture, and the oppression of women by political and economic authorities. John Paul's forthright condemnation of abortion and defense of motherhood received mixed reviews. Another flurry of criticism came in November when the Vatican announced that the doctrine for forbidding the ordination of women was "infallibly" taught. There was some controversy over the meaning of the declaration because it had not been issued by the pope nor did it seem to meet the requirements for what is called ordinary infallibility. This does not involve a papal pronouncement but holds that basic doctrines taught universally by the church are to be considered infallible. The letter on women was intended as the first papal pronouncement before the UN Fourth World Conference on Women that met in Beijing in September. For the first time, a woman, Mary Ann Glendon of Harvard Law School, was appointed to head a Vatican delegation to a major international conference. Glendon, a self-proclaimed economic liberal and social conservative, had written on several topics, including abortion. Glendon's views were in accord with those of the Vatican on most issues, and her appointment was meant to show that many roles outside the priesthood could be filled by women. Responding to the question "How can Cain's hand be stayed?" the pope issued on March 30 an encyclical entitled Evangelium vitae ("Gospel of Life"), a powerful and moving statement of the value of human life in the face of the threats against it all over the world. The letter pointed explicitly to a Jubilee year in 2000 and called for a deep transformation by then of human aggressiveness brought about through a renewed awareness of the horrors of killing. On May 30 the pope issued the encyclical Ut unum sint ("That They May Be One") on the general theme of ecumenism. Following in the tradition of the decree on ecumenism of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the pope stressed the need for unity in Christ, for an authentic change of heart on the part of all believers, and for a true spirit of brotherhood. These aspects of the letter met with almost universal approval. Controversial were the pope's insistence on the need for the papacy as both a symbol and an institution representing authority and unity. On June 29, at the end of Patriarch Bartholomew I's historic visit to the Vatican, the pope and patriarch, the leaders of the Roman and Orthodox branches of the Christian world, respectively, issued a joint statement on the need for continued ecumenical work between their two traditions and for more theological understanding and collaboration. John Paul traveled extensively in 1994, in part to dispel rumours concerning his health. Besides producing numerous major letters, he journeyed to Asia and Australia, Central Europe, Africa, and the United States. The 50th anniversary of the end of World War II did not pass unnoticed by Catholic authorities. On June 11 the pope delivered a homily at St. Peter's in which he said that "every war is contrary to the covenant of peace" and that "we are aware of the exterminated ranks of war victims." In a spirit of reconciliation, the pope singled out no parties for praise or censure. He called on all to seek true peace. Bishops in Japan called for the elimination of nuclear weapons as a fitting memorial to those who died in the war. Pax Christi, the international Catholic peace organization, used its 50th anniversary celebration in Assisi, Italy, in May to orient its strategies away from the prevention of nuclear war among Cold War opponents. Now Pax Christi would address itself to human rights and to the peaceful mediation of domestic conflicts. In Western Europe and the United States, there was controversy over what type of consultation should take place between local churches and the Vatican. American bishops, promoting more collegial models of church government, found themselves thwarted by a Vatican unwillingness to countenance changes in the rituals of worship or to accept, for use in worship, "inclusive" scriptural translations. In November the Canon Law Society of America cautiously endorsed the ordination of women as deacons in the church, but the chairman of the bishops' committee on the permanent diaconate expressed disagreement with the report. Responding to attempts by right-wing religious and political groups to reach out to Catholics, U.S. bishops issued a statement rejecting "religious leaders telling people how to vote." Irish Bishop Brendan Comiskey continued to call for an end to mandatory celibacy, and Bishop Victor Guazzelli of Westminster called for thorough debate on the subject. In January the Vatican deposed Bishop Jacques Gaillot of vreux, France, who called for an end to mandatory celibacy and also demanded the ordination of women and the distribution of condoms to control the spread of AIDS. Bishop David Konstant of Leeds, England, who was less radical, also called for full exploration of the issue of women's ordination. Polls showed that Bishop Comiskey enjoyed the support of three-quarters of Irish Catholics, and former bishop Gaillot also possessed widespread support. Another issue was the prevalent conviction that the Vatican should undertake wider consultation with the local clergy and even with the laity. Austrians were particularly outraged when the archbishop of Vienna, Hans Hermann Cardinal Groer, was accused of having molested seminarians 20 years earlie