Historic Church leaders’ meeting for South Africa

An historic meeting of Church leaders took place Tuesday, 15^th November, at Bishopscourt in Cape Town.  Its aim was to tackle divisions between historic and newer churches, where labels such as ‘ecumenical’ and ‘evangelical’ have undermined a broader shared Christian witness within society and nation.  Leaders made a renewed commitment to enhance working together for the good of all South Africans.

Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, chair of National Church Leaders Consultation, hosted the meeting which brought together leaders from three major Christian groupings:  Revd Mautji Pataki, General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC); Revd Dr. Moss Nthla, General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa (TEASA); and Mr Miles Giljam, CEO of African Enterprise (AE).  Methodist Bishop Ivan Abrahams, out-going chair of the National Church Leaders’ Consultation also participated, and Dr. Renier Koegelenberg, Executive Director of Ecumenical Foundation of South Africa; and Dr Welile Mazamisa, EFSA board member, were also present.  Archbishop Stephen Brislin of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town was invited but unable to attend.  He indicated his support of the meeting.

The meeting followed the January 2010 National Church Leaders’ Consultation which expressed the need for organic unity amongst Christian groupings, and strongly recommended that SACC,TEASA and AE leaders meet and explore common concerns as a way forward.

“Now is a kairos moment, “said Miles Giljam after Tuesday’s meeting.  “People want leadership and answers.  We also need to instil hope in people.”

“The year 1994 was the end and the beginning of history in South Africa,” commented Dr Welile Mazamisa.  “The churches stepped back and others have taken that space – we now need to reclaim it.”

“We need a space to analyse together and work on our commitment to one another and to the people of South Africa,’ said Dr. Moss Nthla.

“In our current context, where the dream of our being a rainbow nation is not being realised in certain quarters, it is important that as Christians, regardless of our differences, we should meet and hold to the vision that a united country is possible,” Archbishop Makgoba added.

The Christian leaders shared individual perspectives and identified common priorities.  They then considered the Overview of the National Development Programme 2030 and discussed the contribution Churches can make to the way forward.

Participants agreed on key issues in South African society needing urgent attention, including corruption, poor service delivery, and problematic health care and educational systems.  They also affirmed the desire of the broader Christian community to be a partner in addressing the problems which are facing our people and our communities.

The meeting concluded with an enthusiastic commitment to continue meeting for reflection, dialogue and common action.

Issued by the Office of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town

Inquiries:  Ms Wendy Tokata on 021-763-1320 (office hours)

‘Our nation is in a state of crisis – a crisis of dignity and discipline, a crisis of education and crisis in our communities. Together, the Christian community present at grass roots can help turn this situation around and help to restore the dignity of the all the people we serve’ concluded the National Church leaders at their annual consultation in Gauteng.

The Church Leaders from 16 of the major Christian Churches recognised and acknowledged the legitimate authority of those set in power over the country but asserted their own biblical mandate to be models of servant-leadership to all people by standing for truth, integrity, discipline and respect. ‘We all need to hold all leadership, including church leadership, more accountable’ said the more than 30 recognised leaders who had gathered. Leaders reacted strongly to a perceived effort to muscle in and manipulate Churches by Political Organizations and individuals.

The health and education sectors are in shambles. South Africa ranks 49 out of.53 countries in educational standards and 138 out of 139 countries in dealing with HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Of every hundred children, fewer than forty eventually pass matric, and only about ten pass well enough to get endorsements to study further for a degree. These figures are even lower in our poorest and most vulnerable communities. None of the children who started school in 1994 finished with the same curriculum.

Speaking at the consultation Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa quoted John Dewey who said “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Church leaders expressed concern at the lack of discipline in schools. Teacher loyalty seems to falls more with their unions than the children they teach.Church Leaders asked that church communities, organizations, buildings and other structures be used to complement existing schooling to alleviate this crisis.

‘The involvement of faith communities in public health issues is not an option,’ declared Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, who was elected Chairman of the Consultation for the next three years at the meeting. He called on all churches and NGOs working in the education and health sectors to co-operate and coordinate work towards a holistic solution to these issues that threaten the dignity of every person in South Africa

To this end the Church Leaders called on all Christians and people of good will to be disciplined, to reclaim the education and health sectors from collapse ‘

The state and the church are both complicit in failing society and history will judge us harshly,’ declared Bishop  Lunga Ka Siboto of the  Ethiopian Episcopal Church ‘We can no longer sweep these issues under the carpet nor ignore their severity.”

The National Church Leaders’ Consultation, comprising of the leadership of the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Dutch Reformed Church, Uniting Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church of Africa, The Salvation Army, International Federation of Christian Churches, Ethiopian Episcopal Church, Jerusalem church in South Africa, The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, the SACC, the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa, Shembe, Baptist Convention of South Africa, and Assemblies of God.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of the National Church Leaders’ consultation by Fr Chris Townsend +27827834729 and Mrs Bongi Moyo-Bango +27781315137

The National Church Leaders’ Consultation, comprising of the leadership of the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Dutch Reformed Church, Uniting Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church of Africa, The Salvation Army, International Federation of Christian Churches, Ethiopian Episcopal Church, Jerusalem church in South Africa, The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, the SACC, the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa, Shembe, Baptist Convention of South Africa, Assemblies of God strongly resent the efforts of Dr Motshekga, the ANC Parliamentary Caucus and the ANC desk for Cultural and Religious affairs to muscle in on and manipulate Church Leadership Structures.

We are leaders in our own right and lead by Biblical mandate.

We are deeply offended by efforts by Mr Livhuwani Matsila and others to infiltrate our meeting in Johannesburg without invitation.

This is an unwarranted intrusion on our discussions and compromises our freedom of association and of religion.

We call on President Zuma to hear this clearly and to engage with us in our own capacity.

Dr Motshekga does not enjoy our confidence.

Issues by the National Church Leaders Consultation, meeting in Johannesburg.

The National Church Leaders’ Consultation is hosted by NRASD.

Media enquiries to Bishop Joe Seoka, President of the SACC. +27828931378, Fr Chris Townsend +27827834729 or Mrs Bongi Moyo-Bango +27781315137

Fr Chris Townsend

Information Officer

Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC)

Office for Communication and Media.

Khanya House – 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria 0001

P.O.Box 941 Pretoria 0001

+27 (0) 12 323 6458

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www.sacbc.org.za or www.churchontheball.com

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Additional statements  to follow soon.

The Most RevdDr Thabo Makgoba[1]

Our title for this session is ‘Is the Religious Sector’s Response to the HIV Epidemic Sufficient?’ I shall answer by speaking about the role of faith communities as a necessary and effective partner, not only in tackling HIV and AIDS, but also TB, and across society’s health needs. I will speak as an Anglican, with my colleagues from the Anglican AIDS and Health-care Trust supporting this with practical examples from their work and experience on the ground. Colleagues will offer Catholic, Methodist and Muslim perspectives, from their long experience of working with the poor and most vulnerable. In this way, what may seem a theoretical call from my paper will be ‘earthed’ by the panellists.

Care and compassion towards the sick and the suffering has been the touchstone of most faiths since earliest times. Historically, the emergence of hospitals was strongly influenced by the care provided by Christian Churches, over many centuries. Today close to half of all health services in sub-Saharan Africa are provided by the religious sector.

But this is only part our commitment to holistic human well-being. Christians speak of humanity being created to live in harmony with God, loving him with heart, soul, mind and strength; and to love our neighbours as ourselves. In other words, we, like our God, are concerned for emotional, spiritual, mental and physical well-being of both individuals and communities. Therefore our contribution should be as much about promoting good health and disease prevention, as about responding to ill-health and its wider consequences in our communities.

This care and compassion, in practical terms, means an urgent and vocal commitment on our part to intensifying all our efforts that seek to ensure access for all God’s people, especially the poor and vulnerable, to adequate prevention, care, treatment and support. We cannot do this alone; we must continue working in communities, with those most affected, discriminated, with stigma and are silenced.

Community Engagement and Primary Health Care

It is at community level where the religious sector can perhaps make the greatest difference. Our pervasive grass roots presence allows us to work ‘bottom up’, vitally complementing the ‘top down’ approach that is inevitably part of the national and provincial responsibilities of Governments and Health Departments. And we certainly need to make a difference at the grass roots, if we are to make headway in health promotion and disease prevention as well as caring for the sick. We can do so through continuing our education programmes which help to break stigma, silence and death; and give a voice to people living with HIV. Within general health promotion, we give a particular priority to ensuring access to prevention measures, treatment, and a broad range of care and support to mothers, children and all living with HIV and TB. These are chief amongst the health challenges that we are facing at this time.

I am delighted that we share so much of this vision with our current Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. Last year he launched what he calls ‘a massive primary healthcare campaign’, which is as much about teaching healthy living as it is about caring for the sick. With Dr Motsoaledi, I was privileged to co-chair a national conference on religion and public health last October, which was sponsored by the National Religious Association for Social Development. Out of this, and our continued involvement with the South African National AIDS Council, we are developing various partnerships between government and faith communities. We hope soon to sign a Memorandum with the Department of Health.

My own church has also worked with other governments, including those of the US, UK and Canada, in running community-based programmes. Through the NRASD we are also in partnership with the Global Fund.

In all of these, education and capacity building around good practices in disease prevention and treatment is a key objective. For though poverty exacerbates health problems in many ways, one of the most insidious is the lack of basic education. This is the most significant reason

• why HIV still spreads at unacceptable levels

• why TB, entirely treatable, remains so prevalent

• why people don’t stick with their courses of medicine

• why people are so passive, defeatist, in the face of illness, often only going to clinics when they are seriously unwell

• why so many of us follow life-style practices that increase the risk of us developing serious, even life-threatening, conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer – when so many of these are largely unavoidable.

The great saga around toilets in our recent local elections illustrates the vast task that the country faces in providing adequate clean water and sanitation facilities for our population. This is one area – among others, of course – where the religious sector is pressing the government to do better. But good hygiene habits also have a vital role to play in cutting the close to 100 deaths a day of South African children to diarrhoeal diseases.

It is a truism that ‘Prevention is better than cure’. Teaching people how to live well has always been at the heart of religious activity. So we must ensure that we train religious leaders explicitly to promote good health education – directly and through their congregations – within their local communities, as part of this call to abundant life of heart, soul, mind and body. Jesus said his followers were to be like salt in the world – a tiny amount can make the difference between a tasteless meal and something wholly delicious! We must do the same.

Informing Minds, Transforming Behaviour

Such teaching is not just to inform minds – it must also transform behaviour. Studies regularly show that in South Africa we have very high levels of awareness about HIV and TB – but this has been slow to change sexual and social behaviour. In Uganda, the most significant prevention measures came through person to person communication at grass roots level, in which religious networks played a key role. We must mobilise our people to persist in doing the same – and indeed, within the Anglican church we are particularly aiming to do this, for example, through the Siyafundisa (‘Teaching our Children’) Peer Education and Life Skills Education programmes, funded by PEPFAR. Recent studies are finally beginning to show, thank God, a reduction in infection rates among young people.

Of course, it must be admitted that churches and other faith communities have not always played a positive role in relation to education on HIV and AIDS. Let’s face it, the religious sector has found it hard to talk more constructively around issues of sex, which is so often something of a taboo subject. For too long we fuelled stigma, and with it ignorance and denial, all of which contributed to the disease’s spread. But as we learn to speak more openly, honestly, and constructively, about these diseases and the factors around them, so we can help society as a whole to deal with them in this way.

I think, for example, of a man who, after wrestling with his status, admitted openly that he was HIV +ve, even though he was a monk, and supposed to be celibate. By acknowledging publicly that he was ‘only human’, he discovered that he was able to come alongside people, and genuinely engage with them in a way he never could if they had not been able to identify with him in the way they now did. There are many other good news stories of where changing church attitudes have helped change community attitudes. I leave it to my colleagues to give practical examples from their work on the ground.

These examples, will, I hope, demonstrate that making a transition from being part of the problem to being part of the solution has required first of all a commitment to ensuring our faith leaders are well-educated in the facts and appropriate attitudes. We must continue to also tackle patriarchal distortions in our own teachings that too often collude in the abuse of women and children, which is also such a damaging part of community health and well-being.

People on the Ground

The presence of churches and other faiths in every community can help in the battle for good health in other ways. We can support Government by offering places where community-based health officers and nurse-practitioners can provide essential primary care at village level; or hold mobile clinics; or connect patients with mobile phone-based ‘telemedicine’. A consensus is emerging that these are cheap and effective ways of significantly boosting health care.

All these are over and above the care networks and programmes that so many of us already run to support those infected and affected by HIV, AIDS, TB and other illnesses. Let me mention the Anglican VanaVetu (‘Caring for our Children’) Programme, funded by DFID and PEPFAR, which aims to ensure that orphaned and vulnerable children receive appropriate care and support to grow to their full potential. It provides counselling, education, care and support to communities and also trains people to respond to their needs.

Caring for Souls

But, as I draw to a close, let me say something about the religious sector’s unique and necessary contribution. For we are far, far, more than just another social development organisation that can assist governments in their uphill task of promoting good health. Medicine can treat the body, but physical well-being is intimately linked to spiritual and emotional health.

All of us are mortal – yet death is increasingly one of society’s last taboos. Too often we behave as if it were an unsubstantiated rumour – until, of course, it faces us. Then people need our support, our care, our clear proclamation of the love of God that encompasses both this world and the next. One task of faith communities is to help everyone to live with honesty, and face death without terror or despair – setting people free to make the most of their lives in generous loving relationships with those around them.

An ancient prayer asks God to grant us a ‘good death’. I have to say that where people have dared to face their dying, by putting their hand in the hand of God, trusting him and finding his gift of peace, that they are amongst the most healed people – healed emotionally and spiritually – that I have ever met.

It is not only the sick, the dying, and their nearest and dearest for whom we care, and for whom we pray. We can also provide health professionals with spiritual and emotional support. Sometimes, in their stressed and demanding lives, it can make the world of difference to receive a ‘good listening to’ when they need it; to know they are valued; to know that they too are upheld in our prayers and those of our communities.

This week we mourn the passing of Ma Sisulu – who, among her many gifts and achievements was a dedicated nurse. We need to value nurses as we did when she trained – and resource them to make the difference that she and her generation contributed to our country.

So may God bless our discussions here; and bless us in the lessons we take home and share with our own communities. For most of all, we pray that he will make us communities of blessing to those around – especially those in greatest need. Amen

Secretariat: EFSA Institute, P.O. Box 3103, Matieland 7602, South Africa

Tel: +27 (21) 880 1734 or (083) 625 1047 · Fax: +27 (21) 880 1735 · E-mail: efsa@iafrica.com

Website: www.nrasd.org.za

Media Declaration -20 April  2011

Church Leaders commend Zuma but call for concrete action in Zimbabwe

Church leaders meeting in Gauteng on the 15th of April commended President Jacob Zuma on the stronger stance that he, as the mediator in the Zimbabwe crisis, seems to have taken in the last couple of months.

Meeting to discuss issues beleaguering the nation and the region, the leaders urged however, that President Zuma’s visibly stronger commitment to resolving the crisis in Zimbabwe be turned into concrete action in dealing with crises in the region.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit and keenly aware of the ethical and moral responsibility placed on them, the leaders discussed issues around unity within the ecumenical and inter-faith movement. They spoke strongly against the co-option of religious leaders by political leaders for nefarious reasons.

Speaking at the think tank meeting, Archbishop ButiTlhagale of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg     stated  “There is a pressing and urgent need to stand firmly side by side, face to face  as we jointly seek to promote unity among the diverse religious leaders and by the same token resist division.”

He strongly condemned religious leaders who, rather than speaking to power, prefer to be on the side of power.

“We need a ‘gloves off’ conversation not only with political leaders but also about our identity, our collective voice and our role in a changing and developing society”, declared Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba.

The leaders discussed the need for Inter-faith dialogue on the shared moral values and virtues held in high esteem in each religious tradition.  They questioned the ethical foundations /principles upon which our economic and political policies are based.

“Economic and political decisions have far reaching moral consequences which affect both the law- makers and the majority of the citizens. If we are to serve our communities and nation well, it is mandatory that ethical-moral questions be continually raised in order to foster the common good,” stated Rev Ivan Abrahams, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.

It was the shared view of the church leaders, that as good as the South African constitution is, the human rights enshrined therein do not offer a solid unassailable foundation for morality..

The leaders urged voters going to the polls in May to vote for truly moral leaders; leaders who are committed to alleviating the pain and suffering of people, the unemployed, the homeless, the poor and refugee; leaders who are not corrupt and avoid personal self-enrichment.

“If the well-being of the ordinary citizen comes first, then it is not unreasonable to openly ask government to trim its bloated lifestyle; it is not unreasonable for religious leaders to campaign publicly for the virtues of prudence, courage, justice, and moderation,” declared His Eminence, Wilfrid, Cardinal Napier of the Catholic  Archdiocese of Durban.

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“The year 2010 will forever be synonymous with the first-ever FIFA World Cup™ held on African soil. South Africans came together with tremendous pride and solidarity to show the world the progress that has taken place in their country and on the continent.

UNICEF was there to rally its partners around child rights. The FIFA World Cup™ presented both opportunities and risks to children, and UNICEF seized the moment to create an alliance of government partners, civil society and companies to protect children from abuse and exploitation. Thousands of children were reached by child protection services and, together with adults, were exposed to messages about safety and child rights. The travel and tourismsector signed a code of conduct to protect children against sex tourism, which aims to make South Africa a tourist destination that is safe for children.

The year held other big moments for children. Key legislation – the Children’s Act and the Child Justice Act – came into force in 2010, marking an important milestone in the realisation of children’s rights.

In the health sector, we welcomed the government’s move to decentralise HIV services to the primary health care system, to reach many more children and women. UNICEF has worked with the Department of Health to strengthen models of down-referral and ensure that guidelines on prevention of motherto-child transmission (PMTCT) and paediatric HIVtreatment reflect the latest medical advances. UNICEF is also supporting the capacity of community health systems to increase uptake of PMTCT and high-impact child health interventions.

The Child-Friendly Schools programme is growing steadily and now reaches more than half a million children in 820 schools. School violence and other challenges faced by South Africa’s youth are being addressed through the Sports for Development programme, which uses sport as a vehicle for adolescent development. UNICEF is supporting a number of initiatives to improve the quality of early childhood development and scale up service delivery, including parenting programmes and a public expenditure study.

Our ongoing support to an impact evaluation of South Africa’s Child Support Grant will generate a better understanding of how the grant influences child poverty, health and education. We supported the first-ever analysis of the national budget from a child rights perspective, and will continue doing so in the years to come to ensure that children are at the centre of South Africa’s development. The government has taken great strides to improve the quality of services in communities. A key tool to do this is the recently completed Public Expenditure and Quality Service Delivery Study on early childhood development in 790 centres.

We continue to deepen our understanding of the manifestations and drivers of inequality in South Africa. We believe all children and women should benefit from the fruits of progress. In October, we brought together experts from different fields to discuss key issues, make policy recommendations and sharpen UNICEF’s equity-based advocacy andprogramming.

Looking forward, UNICEF will continue to work with South Africans to create a more equitable society. We are committed to supporting our government partners to achieve the 12 National Development outcomes. Our partnerships with the corporate sector, civil society, the media, research institutes and others will also grow in strength to accelerate progress for children.”

by
Aida Girma
Representative

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Secretariat: EFSA Institute, P.O. Box 3103, Matieland 7602, South Africa

Tel: +27 (21) 880 1734 or (083) 625 1047 · Fax: +27 (21) 880 1735 · E-mail: efsa@iafrica.com

Website: www.nrasd.org.za

Media Declaration -10 March 2011

Values of a democratic South Africa based on fundamental equality of humans created by God,
not to be defined in discredited racial categories

As religious communities, our fundamental point of departure is that we are all created by God[i], not only equal, but in fact responsible for one another’s well-being. This is our true identity. We are therefore alarmed by the current political debate in South Africa in which there is an attempt to use discredited racial categories again to define the value, place and role of human beings in our society.

It would be the ultimate failure of the struggle for the liberation and dignity of all South Africans, visitors and foreigners amongst us, if we remain captive to the racial or quasi-biological concepts and categories that were used in the past to divide, oppress and exclude some people in South Africa from realising their full potential. Our new identity and our hopes for the future are based on our common destiny and our responsibility for one another.

As a religious community in South Africa we strive to build a just and equitable society, a society that cares for all its citizens, especially for those who are weak and marginalized; we wish to sustain a democratic society that respects our Constitution, the rule of law, that guards against the misuse of power, that fosters our diversity and plurality, and that promotes the role of civil society. Such a society can only be built on the shared moral values within our diverse traditions in order to build a wholesome society. This is the true challenge of national reconciliation.

Thus we must have the courage to build a common future for all South Africans – based on our true identity as being equal, according to the image of God, focussing on how we can help one another, serving one another to realize our God-given potential, seeking justice for the weak and giving hope to the destitute and the poor, so that South Africa can really be a home for all, a shining light amongst the nations of the world.

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Hosted by the National Religious Association for Social Development.

Patrons:

• The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town
• Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, National Minister of Health

6-7 October 2010

Venue : Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies(STIAS), 10 Marais Street, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch

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