Document Library

Family Breakdown (Christmas 2001)

The articles in this newsletter tell of increased marriage and relationship breakdown, more children on the streets, more despair fuelling alcohol and drug abuse. But the picture is not all bleak. A Canadian author points out that a marriage breakdown may, in some cases, represent a new start, free from hidden violence and abuse. Many articles tell of vigorous efforts, from all over the Anglican Communion, to help the casualties of family breakdown, both parents and children and the potential of churches and parishes to provide a supportive "family."

The 2001 APJN meeting in Aotearoa/New Zealand was memorable for two reasons: for the depth and seriousness of our agenda and discussions, but also for the atmosphere in which we met. Our brothers and sisters in Aotearoa/New Zealand have the great gift of an indigenous people, the Maoris, whose unique culture and spirituality have contributed enormously to the life of the church in the Province.

Children and War (Michaelmas 2001)

In 2001, a UN Report concluded that in as many as 50 countries children are suffering in the middle of armed conflict. Increasingly in some areas children are specifically targeted, recruited as combatants or abducted to serve as sexual slaves to soldiers. Articles from Burundi, Sierra Leone, Congo, Rwanda, the Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania, give glimpses of the horror. Not only Africa is affected: authors from Iraq, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Cambodia, Palestine, Israel and Northern Ireland write of the violence perpetrated against children and tell of the ministry of the Church to these casualties of war. 

Education and the Family (Trinity 2001)

tells of the "treasure of education" which is lost through war, poverty, family breakdown or - in parts of the world - is denied to girls and women. The articles give voice to those for whom education is not provided by the state free of charge and shows how the gender gap has a high cost with an increased mortality rate among babies born to ill-educated women. In the developed world, articles from Australia and New Zealand and UK emphasise the importance of value-based education and the need to support and strengthen families.

Faith in the Family (Christmas 2000)

outlines changes in society which affect families and their faith. Now the transmission and nurturing of faith is not "fashionable"; it has to be worked for in a range of ways by parents, by church evangelism, by modern communications, by fathers as well as mothers. There is Good News in the newsletter. Some articles, eg from Paraguay and Australia, tell of difficulties leading to deeper faith and commitment.

Prison and Families (Michaelmas 2000)

The families of prisoners have been described as invisible, the forgotten victims. Partners and children, parents and relatives are often stigmatised and placed in situations of great hardship through no fault of their own. Articles in the newsletter tell how churches and church organisations in USA, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, Dominican Republic, Pakistan and many other countries have set up projects to help both prisoners and their families.

Fathers and Families (Easter 2000)

Throughout the Anglican Communion, there is evidence of the dislocation of rapid change, often in part brought about by economic forces which undermine the role of men for example as "breadwinner" of the family. Many of the articles tell of the difficulties of fathers, particularly the young men who have had little education or job opportunities. At the same time, research from many countries shows the importance of fathers in the upbringing and nurture of children.

Water and the Needs of Families (Advent 1999)

For those in rain-drenched countries, imagination is sometimes needed to grasp the importance of water. But in many parts of the world, water is a matter of hard labour and survival. And wherever there are water shortages or pollution, it is the poor who suffer most. Articles from a wide range of countries tell of projects and partnerships to provide clear water and so fight disease, of education about environmental degradation and increasing water shortages. Articles written by expert contributors from USA show that the global water situation concerns us all.

The request to make a pastoral visit to the Province of Burundi was initiated by The Right Reverend Pie Ntukamazina, bishop of Bujumbura, the capital city. The intent of the visit was two fold, pastoral and fact finding. That is, the delegation went to stand side by side with the church in Burundi and to listen and to hear their stories of faith and suffering

A delegation led by the Right Reverend James Ottley, Anglican Observer at the United Nations and three members of the Anglican Peace and Justice network met in Sri Lanka under the sponsorship of the National Christian Council, the ecumenical body for Protestant and Anglican churches.