wfn.org | ACNS3482 IAFN Consultation on violence opens in Nairobi

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3482     |     KENYA     |     17 JUNE 2003

IAFN Consultation on violence opens in Nairobi

By Justus Waimiri

[ACNS source: CAPA] A conference on violence in the family organised by the
International Anglican Family Network (IAFN) opened in Nairobi, Kenya,
today.

The workshop brings together over 30 representatives from Provinces in
Africa to discuss violence between couples, violence against children,
elderly people and civil war. The meeting will assess the magnitude of the
problem and make recommendations to the Anglican Consultative Council under
which IAFN is affiliated.

Most of the delegates complained about what they called a conspiracy of
silence on violence saying issues of violence in the home were being swept
under the carpet by the society and even by the Church.

"Hardly do we hear our priests talking about violence in the family even
though some of them have buried domestic violence victims," said Esther
Mombo of St Paul's Theological College, Limuru in Kenya. She called for
empowerment of clergy and laity to sensitise congregations on violence.

The consultations are being chaired by Archdeacon Taimalelagi Matalavea, who
is the Anglican Observer at the United Nations in New York. In her opening
address, Archdeacon Taimalelagi said the Anglican UN Office was committed to
promoting fundamental human rights and freedoms, the empowerment of women,
preservation of the environment and the advancement of justice and peace.
This is being done by working closely with the various UN agencies.

Retired Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Dr David Gitari is the
co-facilitator and is also chairing the Drafting Group.

Anglican Church of Kenya Provincial Secretary Bishop William Waqo officially
opened the consultation on behalf of Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi. Referring
to the Book of Genesis, Bishop Waqo described the family as God's most
important institution and called for strengthening of the family unit.

The meeting ends on Tuesday, next week.

To learn more about CAPA: www.capa-hq.org

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