Homily for licensing the Revd Monwabisi Peter as Chaplain of Diocesan College

(Photo: Bishops Facebook page)

The text of a homily delivered by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba at the licensing of the Revd Monwabisi Peter as Chaplain of Diocesan College in the Bishops Memorial Chapel, Cape Town, on 18 January 2019: 

Reading:  Matthew 11:25-27

In the name of God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, dear people of God, Mr (Guy) Pearson, heads of departments, educators, friends and families, it is a great joy to be with you today and share in this milestone in the history of Diocesan College.

Statement on violence against African migrants in Soweto

Taking part in the World Economic Forum in Davos, I have been shocked at the shooting, looting and killing that has been happening in parts of Soweto, the place where I grew up and regard as home.

We cannot allow the current tensions to run at such high levels, even less to flare up into violence and the targetting of residents from elsewhere in Africa. I condemn the killing and destruction of property, and deeply regret that a law enforcement officer is said to have been involved.

I appeal to the authorities to get to the root of the crisis, to act speedily to stop these attacks from spreading and to bring perpetrators to book.

We all belong together and no one should be excluded from township life or be chased out. Revenge will not solve problems, only a display of our innate goodness and generous forgiveness will take us forward.

On behalf of the Anglican Church, I convey our condolences to all who have lost family members.

The Most Revd Thabo Makgoba
Archbishop of Cape Town

Archbishop Condemns Latest Attacks Using Religion as Pretext for Violence

A press release issued from Davos:

Davos, Switzerland - In the wake of the latest Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria and the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, spoke out against the use of terror tactics masquerading as a religious obligation.

Speaking during an interfaith panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, the Archbishop said:

“History is blood-spattered with religion used as a pretext for violence. Enough is enough. Violence in God’s name is never justified. Religions should never be used a vehicles of hate - never.”

Archbishop Makgoba joined former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, David Rosen, Rabbi and International Director, Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee in Israel and Hamza Yusuf Hanson, Co-Founder and President, Zaytuna College, on the panel which discussed the use of violence in the name of religion.

He will also participate in a discussion on Business Ethics on Friday, January 23.