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.”

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.

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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.

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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."