Lula Thanks WCC for Longtime Support of Brazilian People

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (UMNS) - In a special appearance before the World Council of Churches' 9th Assembly, the president of Brazil expressed his continuing gratitude for the council's support of the Brazilian people over the years.

"Decades ago, when we were fighting for democracy in our country, we found in the World Council of Churches not only moral and spiritual incentives but active solidarity and effective support for us to go on believing in our own battles," said Luiz Inacio da Silva during a Feb. 17 address.

"Lula," as he is a popularly known, is a former labor leader who was elected president in October 2002. He was introduced by Catholicos Aram I, moderator of the WCC Central Committee and primate of the Lebanon-based Armenian Apostolic Church, who welcomed him "in the spirit of Christian fellowship, love and solidarity" on behalf of more than 350 churches from around the world. (...)