Churches Outraged by Threats Against SACC President & Anglican bishop

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Posted On : March 18, 2011 11:07 AM | Posted By : Admin ACO
ACNS: www.anglicancommunion.org
Related Categories: South Africa

Churches Outraged by Threats Against SACC President & Anglican bishop
The South African Council of Churches and its international 
ecumenical partners are shocked and outraged by the death threats 
against its President, Bishop Jo Seoka, and members of his family.
On Tuesday morning, 15 March 2011, five men armed with guns arrived 
at Bishop Seoka's Pretoria home, declaring their intention to kill 
the Bishop and his wife. The Bishop and his wife were not at home at 
the time, but the intruders returned later in the day looking for 
them.  They also made remarks that suggested that they were watching 
the Bishop and his wife's movements.
Yesterday, two different people telephoned the Bishop's home 
enquiring from those present about the Bishop's whereabouts.  The 
callers reiterated their threats against the Bishop and left a 
message that he should pack and leave the house.
Although the Bishop remains calm and spiritually strong, Bishop 
Seoka's colleagues in the ecumenical movement are extremely concerned 
about these threats, which have understandably caused members of his 
family a great deal of anxiety.  At the time that these events 
occurred, the Bishop was hosting a meeting of the SACC's 
international ecumenical partners, who are equally disturbed by these reports.
At the moment, we have no information about who is behind these 
threats or their motives.  However, we recognise that Bishop Seoka, 
who is the Anglican Bishop of Pretoria, has long been an outspoken 
advocate for social and economic justice and a courageous opponent of 
corruption and unethical business practices in his capacity as a 
leader of the ecumenical movement.
Furthermore, we cannot take these threats lightly because we know 
that clergy are often vulnerable. We have been shocked and saddened 
by past incidents in which clergy and church leaders have been murdered.
The Gauteng Police Commissioner has been notified of these threats, 
and we appreciate his cooperation in enhancing security for the 
Bishop and his family.
The SACC will not allow threats such as these to deter us from 
pursuing our calling to fulfil the gospel imperatives to be in 
solidarity with the poor and marginalised and to provide moral 
leadership to the nation.
- ends -
Issued by the Office of the SACC General Secretary
For more information, contact:
Rev. Mautji Pataki, General Secretary (082 862 4396)