By Daniel Burke
Religion News Service
WASHINGTON–Liberal religious leaders will begin a 40-day fast this week (Sept. 6) to advocate for legislation that would cancel the debts of the world’s 67 poorest countries.
The Rev. David Duncombe, a veteran social activist and retired campus minister from Salmon, Wash., will fast for at least 40 days in the nation’s capital, according to the Jubilee USA Network, an alliance of more than 80 religious denominations and faith communities.
Participating in one-day fasts related to the Jubilee Act or endorsing the effort are the Rev. Jim Wallis, a progressive evangelical and head of Sojourners/Call to Renewal, evangelical author Tony Campolo, Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of South Africa, Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine and the Rev. John Thomas, president of the United Church of Christ.
2007 is a Sabbath Year, according to Jubilee USA, which in the Old Testament meant that Hebrew creditors were expected to cancel the loans of fellow Hebrews.
In June, Reps. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., introduced the 2007 Jubilee Act in the House of Representatives. Jubilee USA says their goal is to get a hearing on the bill and similar legislation introduced in the Senate.

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