Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

"Jesus Christ is the standard for discerning the path between authentic cultural expression and flawed syncretism, between ensuring we do not quench the Spirit and yet properly testing what we believe may be the Spirit's leading," said Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.

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‘Let us all pray that God will bless the World Cup!’ said Archbishop Thabo Makgoba on Monday as he launched a special prayer for the tournament.

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Statement from the Synod of Bishops, 8-11 February 2010

The Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) gathered with the Diocese of Swaziland in the blessing of their new Conference Suite at Thokoza (Joy), the Anglican Conference Centre in Swaziland. We then continued our meeting in that tranquil setting, giving thanks for the spirit of joy and fraternal charity that undergirded all our proceedings and which enabled us to conduct our work in an atmosphere of prayer.

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The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, has lent his endorsement to the widely supported "Africa for Haiti" campaign, launched at a press conference on 22 January by Mrs Graça Machel.

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Archbishop Thabo Makgoba - Siyakha Programme Workshop

The Archbishop of Cape Town has thanked the British Government and its tax-payers for their support of his church’s work with those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Speaking in Johannesburg on Monday evening, 28 September, at a workshop run by the Anglican AIDS and Healthcare Trust (in partnership with the UK’s Department for International Development), Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said ‘You have helped us achieve the purposes for which this Trust was created.’

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‘This is for all South Africans who were denied access to education’

The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town yesterday said that the honorary degree he has been awarded by an American seminary ‘is for all South Africans who were denied access to education’.

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‘The cost of preventing and treating malaria is only a fraction of what the disease costs us in terms of lost lives, lost income, lost productivity, lost learning’ Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has said. ‘The world must get its priorities right in tackling this preventable and curable disease, which claims a million lives a year, and causes the death of a sub-Saharan African child ever 30 seconds.’

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In advance of the London G20 Summit

'Continuing exaggerated weather patterns across Southern Africa are a further illustration of the urgent need to tackle global warming' Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said on Tuesday, calling for swift and decisive global action on climate change.   

Speaking in the week before the G20 summit, the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town said 'We have had enough of talking. The international community cannot continue to prevaricate while countries like ours are increasingly suffering inestimable human cost, in deaths, displacement, and the destruction of livelihoods. Northern Namibia is experiencing the worst flooding in decades, as is Southern Angola. This year has already seen serious storms, flooding and loss of life in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa, as well as in Mozambique, where we are told we should expect further flooding, while other parts of the country suffer extensive drought.'

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Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town today (Wednesday) appealed to the international community "to give generously" to Zimbabwe's new unity government in response to pleas for help by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

"Although many have had reservations in the past about whether the inclusive government... can work, it is right now the only hope which the people of Zimbabwe have, and we must do all we can to make it work," Archbishop Makgoba said.

He was preaching in St George's Cathedral, Cape Town, at an Ash Wednesday service (marking the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar).

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Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa

The Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, meeting at Modderpoort in the Free State from 16 to 20 February 2009, have been shocked at the news that the Provincial Department of Health in the Free State has withdrawn anti-retroviral medication from HIV positive patients because of shortage of funds.

It is well known and often publicised by the National Department of Health, that patients must be counselled and prepared with great care before embarking on anti-retroviral medication. The Department is clear that it is vital for the medication to be taken consistently, with adequate food, and under diligent medical supervision; if this fails, it is said, the consequences in terms of illness and side effects may be severe.

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Storms and flooding in KwaZulu Natal and Mozambique

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has sent messages of support to areas of KwaZulu Natal and Mozambique where storms and flooding have caused death and destruction. The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, whose area of responsibility includes several of South Africa's neighbouring countries, assures the Bishops and people of the Church's prayerful support, while calling for greater political commitment and practical action in overcoming global warming.

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I am deeply pained by the terrible deterioration, disease and despair we are seeing in Zimbabwe.

I welcome signs that the South African government is alive to the implications of the total collapse of governance in Zimbabwe, of which we see new evidence daily.

But the silence of SADC leaders in general is disgraceful. Why throughout this crisis have we seen no evidence of public leadership from King Mswati III, chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation?

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An Article by Archbishop Njongo Ndungane

The State of the Nation is not just how the economy is doing, or how strong the Rand is. The State of the Nation is about how well the people of South Africa are doing. Are they able to live with dignity, able to feed their children, able to meet their basic needs, able to access employment, education, health care? According to the views expressed during the poverty hearings, the State of the Nation is dire. Communities are crippled by poverty. It is a state of emergency.

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It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Bishop David Beetge, Bishop of the diocese of the Highveld and Dean of the Province. Bishop David died on Saturday 27th September 2008. Our love and prayers go to his wife Carol and family, and the family of the Diocese of the Highveld.

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“Zimbabwe is staring into the abyss. Violence is growing and the people are suffering greatly as a result. It is now vital that we all do what we can to calm the situation.

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Now is the time of God’s favour’ writes St Paul, reminding us that in every present moment we must grasp the opportunities offered by God’s reconciling grace (2 Cor 5:16-6:2).

The Episcopal Church has grasped that opportunity, and committed itself to the path of reconciliation. Now the rest of the Anglican Communion must make sure the moment is not lost.

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Next steps for addressing global poverty are highlighted in the newly released final report of the ‘Toward Effective Anglican Mission’ (TEAM) conference held earlier this year in Boksburg, South Africa.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests, it is a great privilege and joy to share this evening with you.

Though I have to say it has not been without danger to myself.

Adlai Stevenson famously said that flattery is like a cigarette – it is all right as long as you don't inhale.

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It is impossible to remember events of 40 years ago in the Holy Land, and reflect on all that has happened since, without being deeply moved at the scale of this human tragedy and the continuing heartbreak across the region.

If we have learned anything at all from our experiences in South Africa, surely it is this: that the only lasting solution to any conflict must come through a process of reconciliation that paves the way for a future built upon justice, where former antagonists can find true freedom, peace and prosperity together, and where each is served by, and therefore promotes, the flourishing of the other.

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Through his tireless service and dedication, The Most Reverend Njongonkulu Winston Hugh Ndungane has been ‘an icon of hope and grace for so many of God’s children,’ and in turn was presented Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa from Episcopal Divinity School at their Commencement ceremony on May 17, 2007 at the First Church Congregational in Cambridge, Massachusetts, ‘in recognition of his life, witness, and ministry.’

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