Letter to the Editor, Wall Street Journal
from Pastor Donald Matzat

Mollie Ziegler's July 19 Houses of Worship column, 'Interfaith Is No Faith,' does a disservice to the truth on two important counts. First, Ms. Ziegler says Rev. David Benke, 'lobbied the event's sponsors for an invitations. When unsuccesful, he sneaked onto the field by joining Cardinal Edward Egan.''

In fact, John Hiemstra, executive director of the New York City Council of Churches, said Mr. Benke, 'was invited to participate by the Council of Churches of the City of New York that helped organize the religious participants for the event.'

Second, Ms. Ziegler ignores the rules of Mr. Benke's denomination. After receiving Mr. Hiemstra's invitation, Mr. Benke duly sought authorization from Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod President Gerald Kieschnick. In granting his permission, Mr. Kieschnick referenced an official resolution that states in part that when there is no restriction on Christian witness (mentioning the name of Jesus) 'a Lutheran pastor may for valid and good reason participate in civic affairs.'

Other notable Missouri Synod pastors participated in ecumenical and interfaith events after Sept. 11, with nary a heresy charge pressed. The denominations real renegades are those who have ignored constitutional lines of authority for perceived church-political advantage. When the truth is served the cause of Chritian witnesses in and through the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod will be advanced.

Signed bv Don Matzat
Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church - Bridgefield, PA

Back to "It's OK to Pray"...The SPIRIT Page

Home | Who We Are | Calendar | Our School | Prayer for America | Directions | Contact Us | Links