From netman at cpsa.org.za Mon Feb 2 11:13:41 2009 From: netman at cpsa.org.za (Netman) Date: Mon Feb 2 11:14:00 2009 Subject: [Cpsa.news] Fw: ACNS4564 Pope Shenouda receives Anglican primates in Alexandria Message-ID: <92FEBA84A36D4BB28A13118F9F923105@jenkins> Pope Shenouda receives Anglican primates in Alexandria Following a private meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the Coptic Pope, received the Primates of the Anglican Communion at the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in Alexandria on Saturday evening, 31 January. The Primates are meeting in Alexandria in the latest of their series of regular meetings. In thanking Pope Shenouda for his warm welcome and hospitality the Archbishop of Canterbury drew attention to the significance of meeting together in the city where many of the universal doctrines of the Christian faith were formed and where the seeds of the Christian monastic movement had been sown in the third century. Pope Shenouda welcomed the Primates. Bishops, he said, had a special responsibility to guide their people in the path of holiness. Engaging with the young was particularly important. The Coptic Church in Cairo alone was providing Sunday school education to between 30 and 40,000 children. He also gave an account of the resurgence of the Coptic monasteries in Egypt. There were more than twenty communities with over 100 monks each. Bishop Mouneer Anis, Anglican bishop in Egypt and Primate of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East thanked Pope Shenouda for his generosity and paid tribute to his extraordinary teaching ministry based at the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo. Anglican Communion News Service, From netman at cpsa.org.za Wed Feb 4 10:11:48 2009 From: netman at cpsa.org.za (Netman) Date: Wed Feb 4 10:12:17 2009 Subject: [Cpsa.news] Primates' Statement on Zimbabwe Message-ID: The Primates of the Anglican Communion, meeting in Alexandria, Egypt on 3rd February, 2009, heard first hand reports of the situation in Zimbabwe, and note with horror the appalling difficulties of the people of this nation under the current regime. We give thanks to God for the faithful witness of the Christians of Zimbabwe during this time of pain and suffering, especially those who are being denied access to their churches. We wish to assure them of our love, support and prayers as they face gross violation of human rights, hunger and loss of life as well as the scourge of a cholera epidemic, all due directly to the deteriorating socio-political and economic situation in Zimbabwe. It is a matter of grave concern that there is an apparent breakdown of the rule of law within the country, and that the democratic process is being undermined, as shown in the flagrant disregard of the outcome of the democratic elections of March 31st 2008, so that Mr Robert Mugabe illegitimately holds on to power. Even the recent political situation of power sharing, brokered by SADC, may not be long lasting and simply further entrench Mr Mugabe's regime. There appears to be a total disregard for life, consistently demonstrated by Mr Mugabe through systematic kidnap, torture and the killing of Zimbabwean people. The economy of Zimbabwe has collapsed, as evidenced by the use of foreign currencies in an independent state. We therefore call upon President Robert Mugabe to respect the outcome of the elections of 2008 and to step down. We call for the implementation of the rule of law and the restoration of democratic processes. We request that the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Chair of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa, in consultation with the Church of the Province of Central Africa, commission a Representative to go to Zimbabwe to exercise a ministry of presence and to show solidarity with the Zimbabwean people. We also request the President of the All Africa Conference of Churches and the Chairman of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa to facilitate a meeting with the African Union president and other African political leaders (especially those of SADC) to highlight the plight of the Zimbabwean peoples. We call upon parishes throughout the Anglican Communion to assist the Anglican Communion Office, the Archbishop of Canterbury's Office and the Anglican Observer to the United Nations in addressing the humanitarian crisis by giving aid through such mechanisms as the Archbishop of Canterbury is able to designate, and asking that Lambeth Palace facilitate processes by which food and other material aid for Zimbabwe can be distributed through the dioceses of the Church of the Province of Central Africa. We urge the Churches of the Anglican Communion to join with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa in observing Wednesday 25th February 2009, Ash Wednesday, as a day of prayer and solidarity with the Zimbabwean people. As representatives of the Anglican Communion, we reiterate that we do not recognise the status of Bishop Nolbert Kunonga and Bishop Elson Jakazi as bishops within the Anglican Communion, and call for the full restoration of Anglican property within Zimbabwe to the Church of the Province of Central Africa. We affirm the initiative of the Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist (ACSA) in collaboration with Lambeth Palace, the Anglican Communion Office and the Church of the Province of Central Africa in establishing a chaplaincy along the Zimbabwe-South Africa border for the pastoral care of the many refugees, and call upon the Anglican Communion to support this work. 3 February 2009 Anglican Communion News Service From netman at cpsa.org.za Thu Feb 5 19:51:59 2009 From: netman at cpsa.org.za (Netman) Date: Thu Feb 5 19:52:19 2009 Subject: [Cpsa.news] Fw PrimatesAction on Zim Message-ID: <4025C57E8BAE4E7FBAB7368345F0017A@jenkins> The Primates of the Anglican Communion have called for immediate action on Zimbabwe. A meeting of Primates in Alexandria, Egypt, has called on President Robert Mugabe to respect the outcome of the elections of 2008 and to step down and endorsed a call for the implementation of the rule of law and the restoration of democratic processes. Primates took part in a moving discussion on Zimbabwe on Monday night led by Bishop Albert Chama of Central Africa and Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Southern Africa. Anglican Communion News Service, London, From djenkins at mweb.co.za Thu Feb 5 19:56:56 2009 From: djenkins at mweb.co.za (David Jenkins) Date: Thu Feb 5 19:57:22 2009 Subject: [Cpsa.news] Fw: Primates Meeting Communique Message-ID: <5FD16208C9EB4443A373220B5B1B478C@jenkins> Primates Meeting Communique Posted On : February 5, 2009 4:29 PM | Posted By : Webmaster ACNS: http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/2/5/ACNS4574 Related Categories: ACO - Primates Meeting Deeper Communion; Gracious Restraint A Letter from Alexandria to the Churches of the Anglican Communion 1. At the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, as the Primates and Moderators of the Churches of the Anglican Communion[1], we gathered for prayer and consultation in the ancient city of Alexandria, with the Most Revd Mouneer Anis, President Bishop of the Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East, as our host. We prayed, worshipped God, and studied the Scriptures together, seeking to be faithful to the call of God in Christ, and to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit. There was a common desire to speak honestly about our situation. 2. Since we were meeting in Alexandria, we were conscious of the historical, cultural, ecumenical and inter-faith contexts of our meeting. This was reinforced during our visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. We met with the State Governor of Alexandria, General Adel Labib; we were received warmly by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, Patriarch of Alexandria, and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church. He spoke to us powerfully of the vocation and calling of a bishop to witness to the Gospel of Christ. We were also conscious that we were meeting in a country which is majority Muslim, but in which there is a strong Christian heritage and presence. We were able to celebrate the heritage of faith received from SS Mark, Clement, Anthony, Athanasius, and the desert fathers and mothers. Meeting in Egypt, a country which is the home of Al Azhar Al Sharif, one of the historic intellectual centres of the Muslim world, we were also very conscious of the importance of constructive engagement between Christians and Muslims in many Provinces of the Anglican Communion. We draw attention to the significant recent initiatives[2] undertaken by the Archbishop of Canterbury and by the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa. 3. In the course of our visit, we valued participating in the life of the local diocese, the dedication of St Mark's Pro-Cathedral in Alexandria, the Installation of the new dean, the Very Revd Samy Fawsy Shehata, and the ongoing life of the Alexandria School of Theology. We commend the witness and work of the Diocese of Egypt. At the Service of Dedication on Sunday, 1st February, the Archbishop of Canterbury preached and reminded us to see Christ in one another, recognising that Christ alone is the foundation of our building and our work, the one who prays in and through us. 4. We were moved while we listened to some of our members speaking first hand of the situation in Zimbabwe, of the oppressive partisanship of the former Bishop of Harare, Nolbert Kunonga, and of the violence and persecution exercised against the Anglicans of Zimbabwe. We adopted a statement on Zimbabwe which has been released separately. We also heard from the Primate of the Sudan about the violence experienced by the people of Sudan and urgent needs of that nation. We append a statement on Sudan which we have adopted and to which we urgently draw attention. The Primate of Jerusalem and the Middle East also drew our attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. We append a statement on this tragic situation. 5. As we met, we shared a common concern for the Anglican Communion and a strong desire to see our Christian World Communion flourish and remain united. At the beginning of the meeting, the Archbishop of Canterbury invited five of us to speak about how the current situation in the Communion affected mission in our own contexts. We were able to talk honestly and openly about our experiences and perceptions. We were reminded powerfully of the sense of alienation and pain felt in many parts of the Communion, as many are tested by difficult theological tensions. Nevertheless, there was a discernable mood of graciousness among us in our engagements: a mood which assisted and sustained our conversation. 6. Successive Lambeth Conferences have urged the primates to assume an enhanced responsibility for the life of the Communion[3], but we are aware that the role of the Primates' Meeting has occasioned some debate. The role of primate arises from the position he or she holds as the senior bishop in each Province. As such we believe that when the Archbishop of Canterbury calls us together "for leisurely thought, prayer and deep consultation"[4], it is intended that we act as "the channels through which the voice of the member churches [are] heard, and real interchange of heart [can] take place[5]". 7. We have the responsibility each to speak to the other primates on behalf of the views and understandings held in our own Provinces. We are called to mutual accountability and to bear faithful witness to what is held dear in the life of our Provinces and to the inheritance of faith as our Church has received it. Together we share responsibility with the other Instruments of Communion for discerning what is best for the well-being of our Communion. We are conscious that the attitudes and deliberations of the primates have sometimes inadvertently given rise to disappointment and even disillusion. We acknowledge that we still struggle to get the balance right in our deliberations and ask for the prayers of our people in seeking the assistance of the Holy Spirit to support and direct us in discharging our responsibilities before God. 8. One of the chief matters addressed was the continuing deep differences and disrupted relationships in the Anglican Communion. We acknowledge the difficult nature of these tensions, which evoke deep feelings and responses, but we were grateful that, by God's grace, we were able to discuss and debate these issues in a spirit of open and respectful dialogue. There has been honest exchange and mutual challenge at a new and deeper level. 9. The Archbishop of Canterbury shared with us the Report of the Windsor Continuation Group. We wish to express our thanks to the members of the group and those who supported its work for the careful and patient analysis that they have offered to us. The matters discussed are not solely issues of church politics; we are considering the spiritual health and well-being of our communion. It is therefore a conversation about our own lives and ministry. This issue touches us all, because we are each burdened and diminished by each other's failings and pain. 10. Our honest engagement revealed the complexity of the situation. Matters are not as clear-cut as some portray. The soul of our Communion has been stretched and threatened by the continuation of our damaged and fractured relationships, even though we believe that God continues to call us into a Communion founded not on our will, but on the action of God in Christ Jesus. We have experienced God drawing us more deeply into that honest engagement and listening which both require and engender trust, and which must continue and intensify if we are to move forward under God. We must find a deeper understanding of the basis of the bonds, both divine and human, which sustain ecclesial fellowship. 11. The Windsor Continuation Group Report asks whether the Anglican Communion suffers from an "ecclesial deficit."[6] In other words, do we have the necessary theological, structural and cultural foundations to sustain the life of the Communion? We need "to move to communion with autonomy and accountability"[7]; to develop the capacity to address divisive issues in a timely and effective way, and to learn "the responsibilities and obligations of interdependence"[8]. We affirm the recommendation of the Windsor Continuation Group that work will need to be done to develop the Instruments of Communion and the Anglican Covenant. With the Windsor Continuation Group, we encourage the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Anglican Consultative Council and the Anglican Communion Office to proceed with this work. We affirm the decision to establish the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission for Unity, Faith and Order. We recognise the need for the Primates' Meeting to be engaged at every stage with all these developments. 12. There are continuing deep differences especially over the issues of the election of bishops in same-gender unions, Rites of Blessing for same-sex unions, and on cross-border interventions. The moratoria, requested by the Windsor Report and reaffirmed by the majority of bishops at the Lambeth Conference, were much discussed. If a way forward is to be found and mutual trust to be re-established, it is imperative that further aggravation and acts which cause offence, misunderstanding or hostility cease. While we are aware of the depth of conscientious conviction involved, the position of the Communion defined by the Lambeth 1998 Resolution 1.10 in its entirety remains, and gracious restraint on all three fronts is urgently needed to open the way for transforming conversation. 13. This conversation will include continuing the Listening Process[9], and the "Bible in the Church" Project. It is urgent that we as primates, with the rest of the Communion, directly study the scriptures and explore the subject of human sexuality together in order to help us find a common understanding. 14. The Windsor Continuation Group Report examines in Section H the question of parallel jurisdictions, particularly as raised by the Common Cause Partnership, a coalition of seven different organisations[10] which have significantly differing relationships with the Anglican Communion. The Report identifies some of the difficulties in recognising the coalition among the Provinces of the Anglican Communion. Significant concerns were raised in the conversation about the possibility of parallel jurisdictions. There is no consensus among us about how this new entity should be regarded, but we are unanimous in supporting the recommendation in paragraph 101 of the Windsor Continuation Group Report[11]. Therefore, we request the Archbishop of Canterbury to initiate a professionally mediated conversation which engages all parties at the earliest opportunity. We commit ourselves to support these processes and to participate as appropriate. We earnestly desire reconciliation with these dear sisters and brothers for whom we understand membership of the Anglican Communion is profoundly important. We recognise that these processes cannot be rushed, but neither should they be postponed. 15. The Archbishop of Canterbury reported to us on the development of a scheme for a Pastoral Council, consistent with the proposal of the Windsor Continuation Group, and the Pastoral Visitors, whom he is appointing as a starting point for this idea, in line with the opinions expressed at the Lambeth Conference. The intention is that the Pastoral Visitors will be commissioned by him to conduct personal and face to face conversations in order to assist in the clearest discernment of the ways forward in any given situation of tension. We affirm the Archbishop of Canterbury in this initiative. 16. We received a report on progress in the development of the Covenant. We believe the securing of the covenant to be a vital element in strengthening the life of the Communion. We welcome the Covenant Design Group's intention to produce a covenant text which has a relational basis and tone. It is about invitation and reconciliation in order to lead to the deepening of our koinonia in Christ, and which entails both freedom and robust accountability. We look forward to the development of a covenant text to be presented at ACC-14 which will commend itself to our Provinces because it speaks of the mutuality that should characterise the life of Christians and of Churches; of a relationship which exercises the self-limitation and gracious restraint born of true affection, and which should be marked by a spirit of humility and integrity. 17. We received a report on the ongoing work of the "Theological Education in the Anglican Communion" Working Group of the Primates (TEAC). We acknowledge the critical importance of this work, and commend to ACC-14 the establishment of TEAC2, focussing on supporting theological educators. 18. We received a presentation on global warming and climate change followed by a discussion. There is a significant and growing body of statistics which demonstrates that this is a real problem, and one in which humanity has a crucial responsibility. The scriptures call humanity to a careful stewardship of creation; we undertake to ensure that issues of climate change and the responsible management of our natural resources are items which are given urgent priority for reflection, study and action in our own Provinces. 19. We received a presentation and analysis of the current global financial situation and explored Christian responses to it. The primates affirmed that the Church's concerns must be broader and deeper than economics and politics. This is a moment "to proclaim the big vision [of love for my neighbour], living it out in practice, and witnessing, where necessary, against injustices which desecrate that vision." This vision of universal neighbourliness "must not end at our geographical borders. The Church of Christ is universal and recognises that love for my neighbour is not limited to the person next door.[12]" In particular, we call on our Churches to do all that they can to ensure commitments by governments to the Millennium Development Goals are not abandoned in the face of the current crisis. 20. We received an extensive briefing on the proposed establishment of an Anglican Relief and Development Alliance. We warmly commend the potential of this initiative to strengthen the co-ordination and effectiveness of this work throughout the world. We further commend the resolve to develop a comprehensive theological vision to undergird this work. We recognise the value and potential of a global network of local agencies. 21. The Archbishop of Canterbury began our time together reflecting on the spiritual health of the Churches of Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (Revelation Chapter 3). The tone and substance of our conversations, though sometimes hard, have been honest, deep and transforming. Our engagement together in Christ during these days convinces us that God is calling us and our Churches to deeper communion and gracious restraint. Anglican Communion News Service, London, From peoadmin at anglicanchurchsa.org.za Thu Feb 12 16:09:00 2009 From: peoadmin at anglicanchurchsa.org.za (Gail Allen) Date: Thu Feb 12 16:10:26 2009 Subject: [Cpsa.news] Diocese of Highveld elects a bishop Message-ID: <687CAE8D591FF84AB1CDA4C91E5918D4147D9BB785@HMC-MBX02.he.businessgateway.co.za> This serves to advise that Dean David Bannerman has been elected the next bishop of the Diocese of the Highveld. Please pray for him and his family and the Diocese of the Highveld as he prepares for this new calling. The Consecration will take place on 25 April 2009. Gail E Allen (Mrs) Provincial Executive Administrator Provincial Executive Office Anglican Church of Southern Africa 20 Bishopscourt Drive BISHOPSCOURT 7708 Western Cape Fax: 021 797 1329 Switchboard: 086 100 1171 ext 1328 International: 021 763 1300 ext 1328 e-mail: peoadmin@anglicanchurchsa.org.za web: www.anglicanchurchsa.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.sn.apc.org/pipermail/cpsa.news/attachments/20090212/691d3d2b/attachment.htm From peoadmin at anglicanchurchsa.org.za Fri Feb 13 10:41:32 2009 From: peoadmin at anglicanchurchsa.org.za (Gail Allen) Date: Fri Feb 13 10:42:04 2009 Subject: [Cpsa.news] Letter to Primate of Australia Message-ID: <687CAE8D591FF84AB1CDA4C91E5918D4147E241F5E@HMC-MBX02.he.businessgateway.co.za> The following is a copy of a letter to the Primate of Australia from our Archbishop: TCM/gea February 12, 2009 The Most Revd Dr Phillip Aspinall Archbishop of Brisbane & Primate of Australia Dear Phillip Greetings. I write to you on behalf of the people of the Province of Southern Africa to assure you of our prayers for you and your people after the tragic loss of life and property in the recent fires. If the setting of fires was deliberate, we are saddened by the cruelty involved and hope those responsible will be brought to book. And since we uphold the dignity of all creation, we are distressed at the suffering caused to all creatures and the environment. With warm good wishes Yours in the Service of Christ +Thabo Cape Town Gail E Allen (Mrs) Provincial Executive Administrator Provincial Executive Office Anglican Church of Southern Africa 20 Bishopscourt Drive BISHOPSCOURT 7708 Western Cape Fax: 021 797 1329 Switchboard: 086 100 1171 ext 1328 International: 021 763 1300 ext 1328 e-mail: peoadmin@anglicanchurchsa.org.za web: www.anglicanchurchsa.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.sn.apc.org/pipermail/cpsa.news/attachments/20090213/a3f96b01/attachment.html