Local church reaches out to community during lockdown

From South Africa-

The St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church and Waterkloof Community Action Network (CAN) launched an outreach programme during Covid-19.

CAN is a Covid-19 community response programme, which falls under the Gauteng Together Initiative.

“We are offering services and help in these difficult times to anyone who could use a little,” Diana Higgs from the church said.

CAN was started in Cape Town, at the start of the lockdown, by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to do something for people in communities that would be suffering during this time.

More here-

https://rekordeast.co.za/338897/east-church-reaches-out-to-community-during-lockdown/

Pretoria Anglican priest pleads guilty in sex scandal

From South Africa-

The head of the Anglican Diocese of Pretoria, Bishop Allan Kannemeyer, said it was a sad day that a church tribunal would decide on the fate of a priest facing charges of sexual misconduct. 

Kannemeyer said he was disappointed and angry that one of their priests had pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with a member of the church.

He said he was sad that one of their own meant to provide guidance and counselling had opted to take advantage of his authority instead.

Kannemeyer was responding to information that the church was yesterday on its second day of a three-day tribunal looking into sexual allegations against one of the clergy.

According to emails sent to the victim, which the Pretoria News has seen, the church acknowledged it had instituted the Diocesan Tribunal to deal with allegations levelled against the priest.

More here-

https://www.iol.co.za/pretoria-news/pretoria-anglican-priest-pleads-guilty-in-sex-scandal-36807307 

and here-

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/anglican-priest-in-pretoria-pleads-guilty-in-sex-scandal-7-november-2019/

Arrest & prosecute xenophobia cases: Anglican archbishop

From South Africa-

Anglican archbishop Thabo Makgoba said on Sunday he was “appalled and ashamed” at the violent attacks on foreigners in South Africa last week, as well as the ongoing attacks on truckers.

Preaching at church services in Cape Town, the archbishop urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to “demand that the responsible branches of government act firmly, and especially that those who attacked people and looted their homes and businesses will be arrested and prosecuted”.

“We [in the church] are deeply disturbed by the recent orchestrated attacks on citizens from outside our country – sadly called foreign nationals – for no one is foreign, all are  God's people and all are Africans. I am appalled and ashamed by the violence meted out against them, especially against truck drivers, and at the prejudice voiced against these vulnerable people who come from beyond our borders."

More here-

https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2019-09-08-arrest--prosecute-xenophobia-cases-anglican-archbishop/

South African pastor’s resurrection stunt draws mockery and memes

From RNS-

When South African Pastor Alph Lukau claimed to have resurrected a dead man recently, the biblical story of Lazarus may have echoed in the minds of his congregation.

But the action that day (Feb. 24) by the senior pastor and prophet at Alleluia International Ministries in Kramerville, Sandton, in Johannesburg, has stirred a storm after the video showing the alleged resurrection went viral.

Lukau, in the video, is seen standing before a coffin that contains the body of a purportedly dead man in a white suit. Lukau calls the man’s name twice, speaks in tongues and touches his body. The man then sits up inside the casket with his mouth wide open. The congregation breaks into wild celebrations and prayers.

The man — whose name is given as “Elliot” — had allegedly been dead since Feb. 22 and his body had been kept at a mortuary.

More here-

https://religionnews.com/2019/03/05/south-african-pastors-resurrection-stunt-draws-mockery-and-memes/

Desmond Tutu's daughter leaves clergy after marrying female partner

From The Guardian-

The daughter of one of the world’s best-known Christian leaders has given up her right to officiate as a priest in South Africa following marriage to her female partner.

Mpho Tutu-van Furth – whose father, Desmond Tutu, won the Nobel peace prize in 1984 for the struggle against apartheid in South Africa – said the move had been forced on her following her wedding to a Dutch academic.

“The canon [law] of the South African church states that marriage is between one man and one woman,” she said in a statement. After her marriage, the South African bishop who had given her permission to officiate as a priest in his diocese “was advised that he must revoke my licence. I offered to return my licence rather than require that he take it from me,” she added. 

More here-

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/24/desmond-tutus-daughter-leaves-clergy-after-marrying-female-partner?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR1JInFFFjYIavJyiswHpePTjmiebnc3W5fKtXeZHvdsY1iTWlzkLgKnkro

Fulfilling an African dream

From Lichfield-

A throw away remark to the Revd Preb Michael Sheard in 2004 led to my being asked to represent the Diocese of Lichfield at the Inauguration of Tsogong (the Resurrection) parish church in the township of Ikageng as the Cathedral of the Diocese of Matlosane, and the Installation of its priest, the Revd Stephen Diseko (now Bishop Steve), as the Dean. It was the beginning of a long, life-enhancing relationship and the fulfilment of a childhood dream of working with the church in Africa. 

When Lichfield Diocese celebrated the Year of Justice and Care in 2004 my parish, St James the Great, Clayton, hosted three guests from Matlosane with whom I still meet up when I am there. We hosted Bishop Steve on a couple of occasions and it was a very memorable occasion for those who were confirmed by him. The St Chad’s volunteer Kgowe Moleme spent two weeks with us in 2016 and it is a great joy that he is now studying with a view to ordination.

More here-

https://www.lichfield.anglican.org/news/2018/11/13/fulfilling-african-dream/

Religious leaders 'deeply disturbed' by corruption, service delivery failures

From South Africa-

While government has made progress in providing resources to the poor and "asserting constitutional democracy", religious leaders have expressed concern about the high levels of corruption, service delivery failures and land issues that plague the country. 

The group of 24 religious leaders includes Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, representatives from the South African Council of Churches, the Muslim Judicial Council and the Roman Catholic Church. The leaders met under the banner of the National Church Leaders' Consultation (NCLC) this week for their annual meeting. 

In a statement, the leaders said they were "deeply disturbed" by corruption, the weakening of state institutions, the mismanagement of state-owned enterprises and "increasing evidence of the plundering of public resources as so far revealed in the commissions and reports addressing [state] capture". 

More here-

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/religious-leaders-deeply-disturbed-by-corruption-service-delivery-failures-20181025

Church's decision to bless same-sex unions hailed

From South Africa-

Gender rights organisation Free Gender has hailed the Anglican Diocese of Saldanha Bay’s vote in favour of blessing same-sex couples in civil unions in church. 

Funeka Soldaat, of the black lesbian rights campaign organisation, based in Khayelitsha, said the decision taken would boost the organisation's campaign for inclusivity. In a historic vote on Friday, the Anglican Diocese of Saldanha Bay voted in favour of blessing same-sex couples in civil unions in church, becoming the first diocese in southern Africa to take this step. The diocese voted 104 to 4 to accept without condition those living in same-sex civil unions. 

The diocese said it wanted every member of the wider LGBTIQ community to have their union blessed like all other couples in the church. 

More here-

https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/churchs-decision-to-bless-same-sex-unions-hailed-17390688

Anglican church needs police clearance for new clergy amid child abuse reports

From South Africa-

In an unprecedented move to curb child abuse, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa has adopted new measures that include requesting police clearance for those who want to serve as its clergy.

"In future, anyone wanting to be ordained to serve as a clergyperson will have to provide a police clearance certificate," said Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town in a statement on Wednesday
“From January 2019, we will progressively enforce the same rule for lay ministers, especially those involved in youth ministry and Sunday School teaching," said the bishop.

He said the church has also set up an email address to make it easier to report allegations of such abuse.

More here-

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/anglican-church-needs-police-clearance-for-new-clergy-amid-child-abuse-reports-17332409 

also here-

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-10-03-anglicans-demand-police-clearance-from-would-be-priests-after-sex-scandal/

S. Africa: Archbishop Desmond Tutu admitted to hospital

From South Africa-

Former South African anti-apartheid campaigner Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has been admitted to a Cape Town hospital, his office said in a statement on Thursday.

“The Archbishop was in good spirits after settling into his ward. He hopes to be back home in a few days,” the statement said.

It added that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate will be turning 87 in 10 days’ time.

He has been admitted to an undisclosed hospital where a series of tests will be conducted on him.
The retired Anglican archbishop of Cape Town rose to prominence in the 1980s for his strong role in the opposition to apartheid rule in South Africa.

More here-

http://infosurhoy.com/cocoon/saii/xhtml/en_GB/news/s-africa-archbishop-desmond-tutu-admitted-to-hospital/ 

and here-

https://www.41nbc.com/2018/09/27/former-south-african-archbishop-desmond-tutu-admitted-to-hospital/

Bless same-sex marriages‚ pleads retired Anglican archbishop

From South Africa-

Archbishop Emeritus Njongonkulu Ndungane has urged the Anglican Church to show full acceptance of lesbian‚ gay‚ bisexual‚ transgender‚ questioning‚ intersexual and asexual people.

He was speaking at St George’s Cathedral‚ Cape Town‚ on Saturday at the funeral service of the Reverend Canon Rowan Smith‚ a former Dean of the Cathedral who identified as gay and campaigned for the rights of the LGBTQIA community.

Archbishop Ndungane asked for the kind of leadership “that we saw in the dark days of apartheid” and added that the Anglican Church had excluded a “huge part of itself” in respect of people of different sexuality.

The blessing of same sex marriages remained an unresolved issue‚ and the Church’s failure to deal with this issue meant that its Christian humanity was suffering‚ the retired archbishop said‚ according to a statement issued by his office.

More here-

 https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-06-04-bless-same-sex-marriages-pleads-retired-anglican-archbishop/

Church Leader Mauled By Lion After Trying To Prove God Would Intervene

Matthew 4:7-

A Christian church leader tried to prove that the Lord would step forward and come to his rescue and save him recently when he went up against a lion. Things did not go as planned and the church leader had is buttocks and arm mauled by the lion when he ran towards the pride to try to prove that the Lord had power over animals in the wild.

Zion Christian Church prophet Alec Ndiwane was viciously attacked by the lion during a safari trip. The man wanted to prove to the church members with him that God would save him. The man went into a trance and began to speak in many different languages and then started to run towards the pride of lions that were eating an impala in the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

The man started approaching the pack very quickly and of course, they wanted to protect their kill, or they saw him as prey. As the man charged up to them the pride grouped up on him an attacked. The lions chased him before one of them bit down on his buttocks. Ndiwane said that he did not have any idea about what came over him but said that humans were given dominion over all of the Earths creatures. Park officials made a statement and said that they had not been made aware of the incident that was said to have taken place.

More here-

https://www.disclose.tv/church-leader-mauled-by-lion-after-trying-to-prove-god-would-intervene-329108

SA Anglican Church sex abuse scandal: four victims come forward

From South Africa-

Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba says four cases of sexual abuse in two dioceses have emerged in recent weeks.

Urgent consultations are now under way to bolster procedures for dealing with cases of sexual abuse in the church‚ he said on Thursday.

The church has been rocked by allegations of abuse‚ with South African author Ishtiyaq Shukri saying he had been “repeatedly and routinely” sexually abused in the past by priests at St Cyprian's Cathedral‚ Kimberley.

A second victim told the Weekend Argus at the weekend that he had been abused from the late 1970s until the early 1980s when he was 13 years old.

“The other priest stopped pursuing me. But one continued. He would come to our home‚ telling my parents he was taking me to church events. This continued for about four years. And suddenly he was moved about 150km from Cape Town‚” he said.

Archbishop Makgoba acknowledged on Thursday that the church had been “lagging behind in our care for victims of abuse”.

More here-

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-03-22-sa-anglican-church-sex-abuse-scandal-four-victims-come-forward/

and here-

https://mg.co.za/article/2018-03-22-anglican-church-to-respond-better-to-sexual-abuse

and here-

https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/featured/anglican-church-begins-urgent-consultations-on-sexual-abuse-makgoba/ar-BBKxWYt

New abuse claim hits church

From South Africa-

THE ANGLICAN church has been rocked by another disclosure of sexual abuse, a few weeks after a well-known author broke a 40-yearsilence on his own experience.

The latest victim to come out is battling to reconcile with the church’s decision at the time to move alleged perpetrators of sexual abuse to another town “where they possibly damaged the lives of many more”.

This week, David Fields (not his real name) recalled how the abuse started in the late 1970s until the early 1980s when he was about 13 years old.

“As a young boy I grew up in church. Our parents wanted us to attend church and priests were looked up to in the community as people with authority and power.

“The priest and another one in the parish started taking an interest in me but at the time I didn’t know why nor could I understand what the interest was all about. Then the abuse started with touching and led to sexual activity.
More here-

https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/new-abuse-claim-hits-church/ar-BBKmF1j

'We beg forgiveness'‚ says Archbishop Makgoba as SA author accuses priests of abuse

From South Africa-

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said on Tuesday that he took responsibility for cases of abuse within the Anglican Church‚ even when it happened under the watch of his predecessors.

He was speaking after award-winning author Ishtiyaq Shukri issued a statement earlier this month that detailed years of abuse at the hands of priests in Kimberley.

Shukri’s revelation came in the wake of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s resignation as an ambassador for Oxfam amid a sex scandal that has rocked the international aid organisation.

Shukri said this resignation was hypocritical because Tutu had been silent on sex scandals in the church.

More here-

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-03-13-we-beg-forgiveness-says-archbishop-makgoba-as-sa-author-accuses-priests-of-abuse/

Author slams Tutu for silence on Anglican Church child abuse

From South Africa-

South African author Ishtiyaq Shukri has lashed out at Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu over his decision last month to step down as an ambassador for international aid organisation Oxfam in the wake of a sex scandal.

Shukri lambasted Tutu for not speaking out against sex abuses in the church – abuses that he says he was a victim of. Tutu‚ as chancellor of the University of the Western Cape‚ capped Shukri in 1990 when he graduated.

“The day Archbishop Tutu conferred my degree was not the first time I was touched by a clergyman from the Church of England in South Africa. In the years leading up to my graduation ceremony‚ I was being sexually abused by priests from the Church of England in South Africa. So far as I am aware‚ the Archbishop has never fully addressed such systematic and institutionalised sexual abuse happening in his own organization‚” he said.

More here-

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-03-07-author-slams-tutus-silence-on-anglican-church-child-abuse/

Anglican bishops slam VAT increase

From South Africa-

South African bishops from the Anglican church on Friday added their voice to the rising chorus of disapproval of this week's increase in value-added tax (VAT), saying ordinary citizens were being compelled to pay for gaps in the budget caused by corruption.

In a terse statement, the Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa said the Anglican Church of Southern Africa was very concerned about the one percent VAT increase, announced by finance minister Malusi Gigaba in his budget speech on Wednesday.

"It is distressing to us that the ordinary citizens of South Africa are being called upon through increased VAT to fill the gaps in government finances which are partly a result of massive maladministration and corruption, especially in state-owned enterprises," said the statement.

More here-

https://www.msn.com/en-za/money/news/anglican-bishops-slam-vat-increase/ar-BBJu7ui

More ructions in Anglican church over same-sex marriage

From South Africa-

The furore over the Anglican church’s decision to reject same-sex marriage looks likely to intensify, with its Pretoria region the latest to voice its unhappiness with the decision.
The matter was an issue of heated debate among delegates during the three-day conference that began on Thursday. Pretoria region is among the biggest regions in South Africa.

Current political and economic crises in the country, including state capture and corruption, as well as social problems, were also raised at the conference.

The dissent by Pretoria comes almost a year after the Anglican Church of Southern Africa decided that it would not allow bishops to “provide prayers of blessing to be offered for those in same-sex civil unions”. Following that resolution during a debate in Ekurhuleni, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba expressed his disappointment at the move, saying he was “deeply pained by the outcome of the debate”.

“I was glad I wear glasses or the synod would have seen tears. I wanted to be anywhere but in the synod hall - I wished I was quietly home in Magoebaskloof,” he said at the time.

More here-

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/more-ructions-in-anglican-church-over-same-sex-marriage-11238628

Bishops to decide on same-sex Anglicans

From South Africa-

The Anglican bishops will be urged to finalise guidelines on how its leaders should respond to same-sex partnerships of a “faithful commitment”, following a motion tabled on the matter in Cape Town at the weekend.

Leaders of the Cape Town diocese’s meeting in Rondebosch, Cape Town, debated the motion and asked for the bishops to publish the final report on the matter.

At the diocesan synod in 2011, a motion requesting a pastoral response to same-sex partnerships of faithful commitment was defeated but a request was made that the bishops refer the matter to the synod bishops for preparation of guidelines to help the church respond to the matter.

While the draft report was being prepared in 2016, a motion was tabled at the provincial synod and was defeated.

More here-

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/bishops-to-decide-on-same-sex-anglicans-10864694

Bishops to decide on same-sex Anglicans

From South Africa-

The Anglican bishops will be urged to finalise guidelines on how its leaders should respond to same-sex partnerships of a “faithful commitment”, following a motion tabled on the matter in Cape Town at the weekend.

Leaders of the Cape Town diocese’s meeting in Rondebosch, Cape Town, debated the motion and asked for the bishops to publish the final report on the matter.

At the diocesan synod in 2011, a motion requesting a pastoral response to same-sex partnerships of faithful commitment was defeated but a request was made that the bishops refer the matter to the synod bishops for preparation of guidelines to help the church respond to the matter.

While the draft report was being prepared in 2016, a motion was tabled at the provincial synod and was defeated.

More here-

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/bishops-to-decide-on-same-sex-anglicans-10864694