A group of 17 Anglican Bishops from all six continents have called for urgent prayer and action on the “unprecedented climate crisis”. Their Declaration The World Is Our Host: A Call to Urgent Action for Climate Justice released today sets a new agenda on climate change for the 85 million-strong Anglican Communion.
The group met in South Africa in February to build on months of conversations carried out via the internet. The group involved bishops both from cultures and nations that are major contributors to climate change, and those producing low levels of CO 2 but disproportionately affected.
The Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of Southern Africa, the Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, who brought the group together, said:
“We accept the evidence of science: Human activity, especially in fossil-fuel based economies, is the main cause of the climate crisis. We heard of extreme weather and changes to seasons; rising sea levels; acidification of seawater; depleted fishing grounds; and displaced people who are climate refugees.
Monday, 30 March 2015
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Listen: Archbishop Thabo's Reflection for Palm Sunday
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba wraps up our Lenten series with a reflection for Palm Sunday.
Reading: Mark 15:1-39
Next week: Archbishop Thabo's Easter reflection
References for this week:
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army (1829–1912)
Elie Wiesel, Holocaust surviver, Nobel Peace Prize 1986 (1928-)
Timothy Rees, Bishop of Llandaff (1874-1939)
Edmund Burke, Irish political philosopher (1729-1797)
Michael Mayne, Dean of Westminster (1929–2006)
Reading: Mark 15:1-39
Next week: Archbishop Thabo's Easter reflection
References for this week:
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army (1829–1912)
Elie Wiesel, Holocaust surviver, Nobel Peace Prize 1986 (1928-)
Timothy Rees, Bishop of Llandaff (1874-1939)
Edmund Burke, Irish political philosopher (1729-1797)
Michael Mayne, Dean of Westminster (1929–2006)
Archbishop to deliver Bishop AH Zulu Memorial Lecture
Archbishop
Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town is to deliver a memorial lecture honouring
the Right Revd. Alphaeus Zulu, former Bishop of Zululand, in Durban on
Monday March 30.
Alphaeus Hamilton Zulu, born in 1905, was a pioneering leader of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
Initially
a teacher, he was ordained a priest when he was in his 30s and served
for many years at St Faith's Mission in Durban. During this time, he
became one of the founders of Iviyo lofakazi bakaKristu, a renowned
movement in the Anglican Church.
He was the
first black South African to be consecrated an Anglican bishop, becoming
Bishop Suffragan of the old St. John's Diocese in 1960. He then became
the first black diocesan bishop, serving as Bishop of Zululand from 1966
until his retirement in 1975. During this time, he was also a regional
President of the World Council of Churches.
After he retired, he was appointed Speaker of the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly from 1978 to 1987.
Details of the AH Zulu Memorial Lecture
Date: Monday March 30, 2015
Time: 16h00
Place: St. Faith's Parish
80 Carlisle Street
Durban, 4001
SACC CALLS FOR MOMENTS OF PRAYER FOR SOUTH AFRICA
SACC CALLS FOR MOMENTS OF PRAYER FOR SOUTH AFRICA
On Tuesday March 24 2015, the National Church Leaders Forum – which was recently launched as part of the South African Council of Churches renewal program – announced its intention to address the increasing dissonance within the South African socio-political space.
As a body of church leaders across the broader South African spectrum, the Forum is alarmed at the perceived "cancer of corruption" rapidly chipping away at the core of the South African moral fibre from every angle of our society; the creeping disregard for the Constitution as well as the debilitating instability playing itself out at key government and parastatal institutions. These all reflect a worrying trend that, if left unchecked, could prove dire for the future stability of this country.
The church leaders are calling on South African churches to commit themselves to pray and act for the advancement of the South African post-apartheid promise. This call is extended to all South Africans. The goal is to realise a just, reconciled, prosperous and equitable society; free of hunger and want, free of racial, tribal and gender prejudices, free of corruption and deprivation, and with enough food and shelter for every citizen.
The SACC will shortly be announcing its participation in the War of Poverty, in collaboration with all three tiers of government, building on existing pilot programs with proven success.
On Tuesday March 24 2015, the National Church Leaders Forum – which was recently launched as part of the South African Council of Churches renewal program – announced its intention to address the increasing dissonance within the South African socio-political space.
As a body of church leaders across the broader South African spectrum, the Forum is alarmed at the perceived "cancer of corruption" rapidly chipping away at the core of the South African moral fibre from every angle of our society; the creeping disregard for the Constitution as well as the debilitating instability playing itself out at key government and parastatal institutions. These all reflect a worrying trend that, if left unchecked, could prove dire for the future stability of this country.
The church leaders are calling on South African churches to commit themselves to pray and act for the advancement of the South African post-apartheid promise. This call is extended to all South Africans. The goal is to realise a just, reconciled, prosperous and equitable society; free of hunger and want, free of racial, tribal and gender prejudices, free of corruption and deprivation, and with enough food and shelter for every citizen.
The SACC will shortly be announcing its participation in the War of Poverty, in collaboration with all three tiers of government, building on existing pilot programs with proven success.
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Homily for the Induction of the Revd Roger Cameron as CEO of ABESA
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba
Induction of the Revd Roger Cameron as CEO of ABESA
St Mary’s School – Waverley, 17h00
24 March 2015
1 Timothy 1:15-17, Luke 6:43-49
May I speak in the name of God who knows each tree by its fruits and who separates
the bad tree from the good one. Amen.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
let me repeat what a great delight it is to be with you and to be licensing and
inducting Roger as CEO of ABESA tonight.
Roger, we offer you hearty
congratulations on this appointment and we warmly welcome you and Ann to this
key ministry of our Church.
Let me also congratulate the Board on
this appointment, an excellent choice. We know that Roger comes with extensive
experience in educational excellence and a deep mature, Christian faith. We
look forward to harnessing these good fruits for both the Church and the nations
of ACSA.
CEO of Anglican Board of Education to be Licensed
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town will today license the Revd Roger Cameron, recently-retired head of St. John's College, Johannesburg, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Anglican Board of Education in Southern Africa (ABESA).
"This is a significant event in the life of the Church," said Archbishop Makgoba. "I am exhilarated by the potential of ABESA to reclaim the Church's role in education and thus promote what I call 'the new struggle' to create opportunities for young people in practical ways.
"It is one of my key ambitions to build new, quality Christian schools, easily accessible to all. We also want to galvanise parishioners to be involved and to work with existing independent schools in creating new opportunities for young people."
The licensing will be attended by Bishop Peter Lee, who chairs ABESA, and Bishop Steve Moreo of Johannesburg.
"This is a significant event in the life of the Church," said Archbishop Makgoba. "I am exhilarated by the potential of ABESA to reclaim the Church's role in education and thus promote what I call 'the new struggle' to create opportunities for young people in practical ways.
"It is one of my key ambitions to build new, quality Christian schools, easily accessible to all. We also want to galvanise parishioners to be involved and to work with existing independent schools in creating new opportunities for young people."
The licensing will be attended by Bishop Peter Lee, who chairs ABESA, and Bishop Steve Moreo of Johannesburg.
Thursday, 19 March 2015
Listen to Dr Vicentia Kgabe's Reflection for Lent V
Dr Vicentia Kgabe,
Rector of the College of the Transfiguration in Grahamstown, South
Africa, reflecting on the story, in John's Gospel, of the Greeks who
came asking to see Jesus at the Passover festival, asks who young people
might want to see today. Is it Beyoncé, or Miley Cyrus, or Patrice
Motsepe, or even CR7 or AB de Villiers?
Reading: John 12: 20-33Next week, Palm Sunday: Archbishop Thabo
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Archbishop Makgoba appeals for prayers, aid for the South Pacific
An
appeal for prayers and for practical aid for the people of the South
Pacific Ocean in the wake of Cyclone Pam has been issued by Archbishop
Thabo Makgoba, Chair of the Anglican Communion
Environmental Network.
In a statement issued from Cape Town, Archbishop Makgoba said:
“Having
just hosted a meeting of eco-bishops from around the Communion,
including Bishop Api Qiliho from Fiji, the network is particularly aware
of the threat posed by climate change to the people of the South
Pacific.
“We have been shocked by the
devastation wrought by Cyclone Pam, particularly in Vanuatu in the
neighbouring Province of Melanesia.
“Our
prayers go out to the families of those who have died, to those who have
been displaced and to those who have lost their homes and property.
“We
pray too for Bishop James Ligo of Vanuatu and his people, and for those
providing shelter and helping to relocate the homeless. We urge
Anglicans to respond to appeals for practical help.”
Monday, 16 March 2015
Archbishop conveys Church's condolences to Minister and bodyguards' families
Following the death of South Africa's Minister of Public Service and Administration, Mr Collins Chabane, and two of his bodyguards on Sunday March 15, the Archbishop issued the following statement:
We express our deepest condolences to the families of
Minister Collins Chabane, Sergeant Lesiba Sekele and Sergeant Lawrence
Lentsoane following their deaths in a car accident early today.
I appeal to all people of faith, please lift their families up in prayer at this time.
Thursday, 12 March 2015
Listen to: A Reflection for Lent IV - Bishop Rubin Phillip
Bishop Rubin Phillip of Natal, Dean of the Province, reflects for the fourth Sunday in Lent on abundant life, and on God's desire that we should bring it to all.
Next week: Dr Vicentia Kgabe
Next week: Dr Vicentia Kgabe
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Southern Africa Hosts CAPA in Cape Town
Anglican Church leaders from across Africa are being hosted at meetings in Cape Town by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba.
The leaders include Archbishops, Bishops and other members of the Council of African Provinces of Africa (CAPA), a body which coordinates and articulates issues affecting the Church and communities across the continent.
The council, chaired by the Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi, Archbishop of the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi, represents Anglicans in 26 countries from 12 church provinces.
The meetings, which are happening in South Africa for the first time, include Primates (the leaders) of churches and members of the CAPA Standing Committee.
The meetings have included a gathering of members of the Anglican Global South, chaired by the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis of Egypt, President Bishop of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East.
Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and Premier Helen Zille of the Western Cape sent messages of welcome to the delegates and their spouses.
Archbishop Makgoba said the meetings were a tangible expression of the Anglican family belonging together. He expressed hope that the meeting would renew relations among churches across Africa.
On the first day, participants visited Masikhanye Food Garden in Khayelitsha, an urban food project supported by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa's outreach arm, Hope Africa.
Archbishops plant onions at an urban food project in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
The visitors included, from left, Archbishop Ian Ernest of the Indian Ocean, Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo of the Internal Province of Sudan, Archbishop Mouneer Anis of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, Archbishop Jacob Chimeledya of Tanzania, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town and Archbishop Bolly Lapok of South-East Asia.
The leaders include Archbishops, Bishops and other members of the Council of African Provinces of Africa (CAPA), a body which coordinates and articulates issues affecting the Church and communities across the continent.
The council, chaired by the Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi, Archbishop of the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi, represents Anglicans in 26 countries from 12 church provinces.
The meetings, which are happening in South Africa for the first time, include Primates (the leaders) of churches and members of the CAPA Standing Committee.
The meetings have included a gathering of members of the Anglican Global South, chaired by the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis of Egypt, President Bishop of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East.
Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and Premier Helen Zille of the Western Cape sent messages of welcome to the delegates and their spouses.
Archbishop Makgoba said the meetings were a tangible expression of the Anglican family belonging together. He expressed hope that the meeting would renew relations among churches across Africa.
On the first day, participants visited Masikhanye Food Garden in Khayelitsha, an urban food project supported by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa's outreach arm, Hope Africa.
Archbishops plant onions at an urban food project in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Listen - A Reflection for Lent III - Janet Trisk
For the third Sunday in Lent, Canon Janet Trisk reflects on the challenge posed to both "hardline atheists" and "dead certain Christians" by the image of a God who is crucified. (Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25)
Next week: Bishop Rubin Phillip
Next week: Bishop Rubin Phillip
Archbishop issues appeal for firefighters
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has commended firefighters and volunteers involved in the battle against the fires in the southern part of the Cape Peninsula.
He has also appealed for donation for volunteer firefighters' services. He said in a statement today:
"We stand in admiration of those who have been fighting the fires and for the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to support them. We express our solidarity with those treated for smoke inhalation and who have lost property in the fires.
"The Anglican agency, Hope Africa, reports that while enough food has been donated, there is still a need for sunscreen, eye drops, throat lozenges, Energades and gloves. They can be delivered to the Lakeside and Newlands fire stations.
"Cash donations can be sent to to Volunteer Wildfire Services: Nedbank Foreshore, Branch code – 108309, Acc. No: 1083321226.
"I urge Anglicans to donate generously."
He has also appealed for donation for volunteer firefighters' services. He said in a statement today:
"We stand in admiration of those who have been fighting the fires and for the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to support them. We express our solidarity with those treated for smoke inhalation and who have lost property in the fires.
"The Anglican agency, Hope Africa, reports that while enough food has been donated, there is still a need for sunscreen, eye drops, throat lozenges, Energades and gloves. They can be delivered to the Lakeside and Newlands fire stations.
"Cash donations can be sent to to Volunteer Wildfire Services: Nedbank Foreshore, Branch code – 108309, Acc. No: 1083321226.
"I urge Anglicans to donate generously."
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