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Statement of the Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa

Posted On : September 19, 2008 3:54 PM | Posted By : Admin ACO
Related Categories: South Africa

ACNS: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2008/9/19/ACNS4522

A regular meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of
Southern Africa in Gauteng this week reviewed the ongoing mission,
ministry and witness of the Church and some of the challenges of the
context in which we live.

We voiced our renewed concern at the extreme poverty suffered by many in
southern Africa, and at the wide gap between those who have excessive
wealth and those who are poor. We remain deeply concerned at the
prevalence of malaria and HIV and Aids, and we acknowledge anew the
brokenness of the nations which we represent. We pledged to continue
modelling values in our societies which build integrity, love,
forgiveness, peace and reconciliation.

As bishops of a church which spans six nations, we acknowledge also that
we have been too quiet recently on issues of social justice, and need to
take a stronger prophetic stance towards our governments. Xenophobia
continues to strike at the heart of our identity as a church, and in
South Africa we need to work with the rest of civil society in holding
all of society's structures accountable both for combating ethnic
hostility and for overcoming the failures of service delivery which
contribute to tensions within communities. We call on Anglicans to
continue to pray for refugees and economic migrants. We are deeply
concerned at the situation in Swaziland and have resolved to send a
delegation to express our solidarity with our Diocese of Swaziland and
the people of that country as they work for a more democratic society.
The 40th year of Swaziland's independence sharply focuses this concern.
At the same time, we give thanks for the recent elections in Angola, and
we affirm the role of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa in mediating
a settlement in Zimbabwe.

Dealing with domestic issues within the Church, the Synod:

Endorsed the formation of a new diocese, to be known as the Diocese of
Ukhahlamba, in the northern part of the current Diocese of Grahamstown;

Affirmed the key role of theological education in building the church,
endorsed a formal collaboration with the University of KwaZulu/Natal for
theological training, and appointed a new director of the Anglican House
of Studies in Pietermaritzburg, all in a bid to foster ecumenical
theological education;

Decided to have the Archbishop's Charge from the March installation
service in Cape Town translated into Portuguese for the benefit of the
Dioceses of Lebombo, Niassa and Angola. The Charge will also be the
basis of a study series for Lent 2009.

Agreed to new and/or alternative Collects for the Church;

Examined the administration and leadership of our Province; and

Encouraged Anglicans to sign up with the South African Bone Marrow
Registry as bone marrow donors. (http://www.sabmr.co.za/donor.htm)

The bishops also reflected on the implications of the recent meetings of
the Lambeth Conference and of the Global Anglican Future Conference
(GAFCON). We agreed to continue working for the unity of the worldwide
Anglican Communion through the current instruments of communion and
dialogue, including the proposed Anglican Covenant, the Windsor
Continuation Group and a possible Pastoral Forum. We agreed to continue
to work with all parties in the current debates particularly on our own
continent and to share South Africa's experience of a reconciliation
which embraces all.

> The Most Revd Thabo Makgoba
> Archbishop and Metropolitan

> Anglican Church of Southern Africa

Any inquiries: Cynthia Michaels - 021 763 1320 (office hours)

Item: Issued by the Office of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town

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