Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland and Anglican Church in Southern Africa to work together to address social ills
Anglican Archbishop, Njongonkulu Ndungane, earlier today met with a delegation from Finland, led by Archbishop Jukka Paarma of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in that country.
The purpose of this meeting was to strengthen ecumenical ties between the two churches and to continue discussions regarding an ongoing partnership. Partnership discussions have been focused on finding a mutually beneficial model of collaboration between Finland and South Africa where some of the goals for development, specifically those that deal directly with poverty, may be addressed.
In earlier meetings between the two churches it was agreed that the principles for future collaboration should involve shared visions that include equal participation from the partners in South Africa and Finland.
Areas for collaboration include:
Archbishop Ndungane said that the Christian church worldwide is being called upon to play an increasing role in nation-building and economic and social development. He said that unfortunately Churches in Africa must operate in an environment that is characterised by relatively high levels of poverty, political instability, destructive ethnic conflicts, crime and violence, disease, famine and corruption. He said a partnership with churches like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland were therefore critical in the socio-economic development process.
"Ultimately we seek socio-economic transformation that will empower all partners, while adding significant value to the global debate on poverty eradication... This visit is a further step in consolidating the relationship," said Archbishop Ndungane.
At the meeting, Archbishop Ndungane spoke about the African Monitor, a new independent body which is to have its first launch in Cape Town on May 3. This body will act as a catalyst within Africa's civil society, to bring a strong African voice to the development agenda and to raise key questions from an African perspective. Among other things African Monitor will observe whether development promises are being kept by both donor and recipient nations and whether promised aid is making a difference to people on the ground. He said that other churches could support this body by lobbying donor nations if and when necessary. [See separate statement on African Monitor issued Wednesday April 26.]
Both Archbishop Ndungane and Archbishop Paarma expressed the intention for their churches to jointly address societal problems while also being a model for creating unity and solidarity between denominations in the Christian family.
For further information please contact Penny Lorimer, Media Liaison for Archbishop Ndungane, on
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