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<p><strong><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Statement
by the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, following the
Air France Plane Crash</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Since
we heard of the loss of the Air France plane, I have been praying for all those
people, families and friends of passengers and crew, who have been affected by
this tragedy. We do not know the cause of the crash - and even if we did,
it would not alter the way that our hearts weep within us for all those
who have lost their loved ones. On behalf of the Anglican Church of
Southern Africa, I send condolences to those countries whose citizens have
died, and assure them of our prayers. We pray also for those engaged
in attempting to salvage the wreckage, and locate the remains of
those who perished, as well as those tasked with investigating the cause of the
accident and working to ensure that it does not happen again.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>At
times of sudden tragedy, it is right that we should mourn and weep, and
honestly face the depths of our grief. Inevitably we will ask questions
of what has happened and why. Often there will be no easy
answers - and even when we can identify some cause or contributory
factors, this knowledge cannot turn back the clock, and restore to us
those whom we have lost. At such times God promises to be a strong,
safe refuge. He understands the pains of human mortality. God in
Jesus Christ wept at the death of his friend; and himself was
prepared to suffer death and pain, on the cross, for our sakes - and so his
love and compassion, wrought in the trials of his own experience, can touch us
tenderly in our own pain. More than this, his
resurrection offers us all a sure hope and comfort that death need not
have the final word, as he encourages us to put ou<span style='color:#1F497D'>r</span>
hand in his and find in him the reassurance that we need in times of fear
and sorrow. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>This
then, is my prayer today, for all who grieve for the loss of life in the Air
France plane crash. And it is my prayer for everyone who faces tragedy
and loss, and the trauma of death: may God, as we know him in Jesus
Christ, be for us a source of hope, strength, and comfort - a light
by which we can dare to go on walking, in our darkest hour. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The Most Revd Thabo Makgoba<br>
Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town<br>
<br>
June 3, 2009<br>
<br>
Media Inquiries: 021- 763-1320 (office hours)<br>
Released from the office of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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