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All
Saints' Day 1 November
And
He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the
Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
Rom 9:27
Provincial
Synod
The
Provincial Synod of the CPSA was held in Bloemfontein from 21 to 29
September at which about 250 bishops, clergy, admin staff and laity,
representing about 4 million Anglicans, were present.
The
Province of Southern Africa, besides South Africa, includes Lesotho,
Swaziland, Namibia, Mozambique, St Helena and Angola. In his charge
at the opening of Synod the Metropolitan, Archbishop Njongonkulu
Ndungane, focused on three main challenges facing us: poverty
eradication, the preservation and integrity of creation and combating
the AIDS pandemic. Speaking on poverty, he acknowledged that external
pressures on Africa, caused by donor driven policies and subsidies,
have worsened poverty. However, he called on Africans to
“acknowledge the need to act against corrupt leadership,
political violence, practices that undermine democracy and still, to
a large extent, treat women as commodities rather than full and equal partners”.
Joking
that the environment can’t toyi-toyi or speak for itself, the
Archbishop called on Anglicans to move environmental issues to the
forefront of our agenda. He also paid tribute to Bishop Geoff Davies,
liaison bishop for environmental issues, who was the co-ordinator of
the recent international Anglican Conference of the Environment, held
in Hartebeespoort, before the UN World Summit. He called on Anglicans
to support the resolutions coming out of both the Anglican and World summits.
On
HIV/AIDS the Archbishop spoke of the many ways we should help
prevent and mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS. He once again
emphasised the need to remove the stigma of HIV/AIDS and paid tribute
to Canon Ted Karpf who has been involved in the set-up of a
Provincial Strategic plan to combat AIDS for the next three years.
This opening report was received via cpsa.chat but Iindaba prints a
comprehensive report, from two of our representatives, on the back
page. See also Bishop's letter Pg 3. More information can be obtained
from any of our representatives who attended: Clergy - Ruthell
Johnson, Robert Penrith, Sipambo Ludidi, Lulamile Ngesi. Laity -
Lillian Daniels, Tony Nonguaza, Jenny Watson, Neville Lobb. Tandi
Xundu attended in her capacity as the Prov President of the Mothers' Union.
Business
as usual?
This
observation was received from a member of the media team.
Vestries,
Synods and Councils don’t always have an appeal or attraction
about them - but they are the councils of the church where important
work is done. When we fail to get these right, then the cracks spread
throughout the church.
Others
will reflect on the work of our recent Provincial Synod. My tasks
took me inside and outside the Synod hall, but were integral to its
business and workings. Good things were accomplished. I personally
feel that there is cause for some concern.
The
standard of debate was rather thin, and often one-sided. There was a
sense that once the vocal members had made their point, not much was
brought as an alternative by anyone else. We are an Anglican church,
renowned for our diversity - but not so much at Synod.
These
meetings can be rather technical with strange rules. We have copies
of the rules in our parishes, but do participants learn to work with
them? If you don’t know the rules, you can’t play the game.
For those in the know it does become a game - and one particular
delegate irritated Synod (and the Archbishop) by trying to use almost
every rule in the book! Are we brave enough as a church to find new
ways to do our business? What doors could Rule 1(c) open?
When
we do find ourselves involved in the decision making of the church -
at whatever level - do we actively consider how scripture informs the
issues we are talking about? Do we listen for God’s “still,
small voice”?
There
seems to be a popular trend towards applauding emotional speeches
and booing any opposition. Is there only room in the body of Christ
for those who think and feel like you do?
The
most commonly used word by Synod participants - “aye” -
doesn’t belong to the spoken language of any of the CPSA’s
constituent nations (I’m not excluding the individuals who come
from the northern hemisphere nation from which that word comes). Is
this a strategy for neutrality among diverse nations, or simply
inherited baggage?
Whether
you are part of Parish Vestry or a Council or any Synod - you are
participating in a council of the church. May Jesus living in you
speak and pray and work towards building His kingdom and proclaiming
His truth. May He also give each of us true discernment in electing
Wardens, Councillors and Representatives within our Anglican church.
Our
Diocesan Synod happens next year. What is God saying to you? Note:
The Iindaba editor was unable to attend synod due to pressure of
month-end work.
Neville
Lobb, a lay member, reports: The 30th Provincial Synod was held
at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein from the 23 to 28
September. This 3-yearly meeting was attended by Bishops, Priests,
Deacons and Laity of all 23 dioceses of the CPSA.
The
opening Eucharist on the Monday morning was beautiful, and the
Archbishop’s “Charge”, covering HIV/AIDS, poverty,
crime and corruption, famine in Africa, land distribution and
combating Islam among others, was very well received by all
attending. The Synod agenda comprised 61 items ranging through
amendments to our Church Canons, to Theological Education,
Women’s Ministries, Young People and Representation at Parish
Council, Violence against Women, Children and Men, the Vision for the
CPSA, the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, Zimbabwe, Poverty Eradication
: Economic Justice, Corruption, Deepening Democracy, African Union,
Nepad and Lotto, to name but a few.
Spiritual
forces of evil
A
very meaningful discussion on “Spiritual forces of evil”
was led by Bishop Dinis Sengulane of Lebombo. He spoke with great
feeling on the growing number of cases of taking human lives and
mutilations, the belief in and submission to witchcraft, Satanism and
other manifestations of evil. Our church is called upon to “put
on the whole armour of God so that we may resist the spiritual powers
of evil” (Ephesians 6:10-17) and he recommended that
congregations be encouraged to discuss matters of spiritism and
witchcraft, bearing in mind the victory of Jesus Christ over all evil
and that we do everything in His power to free people from spiritual bondage.
Another
agenda item considered was “Vision of the CPSA”. We were
reminded in Proverbs 29:19a that “where there is no vision the
people perish” [KJV], and Synod urged each diocese to discuss
and propose a vision statement through their structures, and report
progress on the process to Provincial Standing Committee in 2003,
2004 and in 2005 to finalise for adoption at Provincial Synod in
2005. The motion “Development of Ministry in the Dioceses of
Mozambique” proposed by Bishop David Russell as Dean of the
Province requests a Commission to examine the creation of smaller
dioceses in view of the tremendous distances between towns in the
country. The dioceses of Lebombo and Niassa need our prayers as well
as our financial support. Contentious items included “The
Rescission of Bishop Colenso’s excommunication” which was
referred to the Synod of Bishops and “Same- sex unions”,
referred to the Anglican Theological Commission.
heavy
schedule
Altogether
it was a good Synod with lively debate although the length was
shortened to 6 days instead of the usual 9/10 days due to the
university recommencing on 30 September. The curtailed discussion on
measures on the last two days of Synod when each speaker’s time
and debate from the floor was limited was not helpful. My
recommendation would be to revert to a full 9/10 days. Meal and tea
times were great times for fellowship with old friends and the chance
to make new friends.
Canon
Robert Penrith:
Provincial
Synod is not something that you necessarily enjoy but, on
reflection, I have to say that it is a very enriching experience to
be in the environment where major decisions are made for our Church.
It was a wonderful opportunity to network together with other Deans
of Study to share and evaluate one another’s ideas and to share resources.
The
opening two days dealt with Measures to amend the Canons and
Constitutions of the CPSA. One measure requesting the Archbishop to
set up a commission to re-evaluate the name of our Church (CPSA) was
passed. Once the Measures had been dealt with we began dealing with
Resolutions of Synod where the Church sought to hear the mind of the
Lord on matters relating to our faith, practice and ministry in the world.
exciting
work
The
resolutions that I found particularly exciting revolved around the
work of the Lord and His church in the Dioceses of Mozambique under
the amazing and pioneering ministry of Bishop Dinis Sengulane. This
saintly pioneer has been inspirational in developing the church in
the whole of Mozambique. (It takes him 38 hours to drive from North
to South). He has parishes there where, for example, one priest has
planted fifty-one churches. This is not unique to this rapidly
developing area of the Province. Bishop Dinis used the Decade of
Evangelism in every way that he could in Mozambique and then also
evangelised the people in Angola. At this Synod we were blessed to
have a full delegation from a brand new Diocese of Angola. Alleluia!
We were challenged by Bishop Dinis to consider adopting a Parish in Lebombo.
We
also heard from Bishop Dinis of the operation of turning “swords
into ploughshares” by pulling in 300 000 items of war and
getting their artists to transform those into expressions of peace.
Some examples included chairs made out of bent and melted guns. He
gave us a very thought-provoking phrase when reflecting on our modern
culture by calling the TV our “University of Crime and
Violence”. Bishop Dinis received a standing ovation for his
ministry in Mozambique and Angola.
Bishop
Geoff Davies called on us to move towards a consultation to commit
ourselves to engage in processes that will lead to just peace in
countries where there is conflict, rather than relying on weapons of
war. We called on the government to halt the sales of weapons of mass
destruction to developing countries, and to use those funds to
alleviate poverty.
theological
education
From
my personal perspective I gained many new insights regarding clergy
formation and Theological Education, and I was thrilled to be part of
the discussions around three resolutions which sought to ensure that
funding and the encouraging of this training were placed before us to
consider and grapple with. These insights were invaluable in terms of
my role as the Dean of Studies in this Diocese.
HIV/AIDS
resource
As
expected, we were called on to strategise over the Church's response
to HIV/AIDS. We were asked to take up the cause of fighting HIV/AIDS
and were offered a very useful resource for a Lent course (or similar
season). We recognised our need to uphold the dignity of all people
living with HIV and AIDS and determined not to discriminate against
any person on the ground of his/her HIV Status.
We
debated the growing and threatening situation between Iraq and the
USA and the conflict in Palestine/Israel. On the threatened war in
Iraq the resolution began with the appropriate words: “Aware of
the fact that Christ is the Prince of Peace”. We supported the
call by President Mbeki to resolve all conflicts peacefully and
called on the government of the USA to desist from any unilateral
military strikes against Iraq, and called on all to respect the
United Nations’ role in resolving the conflict without the added
pressure from the USA/UK.
women
clergy
On
Friday morning we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the acceptance
of a motion permitting the Ordination of Women into the church.
During a very moving service we were led by women clergy through a
time of reflection on the journey that this process took to enable
and empower women for all positions of ministry in the CPSA. There
are some wonderful women priests, deacons, archdeacons and canons in
our church as a result of this move.
The
women led us in adopting a motion on women’s ministry
requesting the Synod of Bishops to use their next opportunity to
appoint a woman to the role and office of Bishop. We rightly affirmed
the ministry of women in our Church with acclaim.
sexual
abuse by clergy
I
was shocked to hear on the Friday that the headlines of the Herald
were “Sexual Abuse by Clergy”. The implication was that the
papers had identified a problem. The truth was that we were working
to ensure protection for any who might be victims and to ensure
justice. The document “Shepherds of the Flock of God” was
approved as a guideline for the reporting and laying of charges
against a perpetrator.
gay/lesbian
issue
Friday
seemed to be the day for controversy. Synod spoke its pastoral heart
in the debate on gay and lesbian people in the CPSA. Our resolution
welcomed and affirmed their membership and their contribution to the
Church. We then respectfully requested that groups within the
Dioceses should gather to formulate their minds on this issue.
Naturally both sides need to be heard. This motion related to
homosexual orientation and not homosexual behaviour, thus very much
in line with the Lambeth Resolution that called on the church to deal
with this issue pastorally. One of the more difficult matters raised
was the fact that gay and lesbian couples are pushing harder and
harder for their Constitutional rights. A member of Provincial Synod,
a Constitutional Court Judge, warned that the granting of permission
of same sex unions by the government was not far away. The Church
needs to look at all sides of the issue in order to seek the mind of
the Lord in our decisions and ministry. From a personal point of view
these issues have a bearing on the fact that I am a State Marriage
Officer and I might find myself pressurised by the government to
perform such ceremonies as determined by the State. Naturally, I
would be placed in an even more difficult position if the Church were
to ever determine that we should bless same sex unions.
Israeli/Palestinian conflict
The
other controversial motion related to the Israeli/Palestinian
conflict. Naturally and expectedly, there were considerations from
both sides. The proposers suggested that Israel’s occupation and
reoccupation was the root cause of all the conflict, but that it
should be possible for Israelis and Palestinians to live together in
harmony. We conse-quently condemned all forms of violence.
young
people on PC's
Young
people presented valuable contributions during this Synod. We were
urged by those with a heart for young people to place young people in
the centre of our churches rather than on the edges. We were
encouraged to elect young people (even in their teens) onto Parish Councils.
and
much more
We
dealt with the tricky issue of land redistribution in the light of
the potential conflict that could face us in the future and began to
set up commissions to deal with this thorny issue; with poverty
eradication; the situation in Zimbabwe in terms of its destruction of
the environment, economic justice, corruption and so much more. It
was very taxing, fascinating and bottom numbing - I am so glad that I
was able to be part of it.
The
day started with prayer at 06h30, Communion 07h00, breakfast 08h00,
Bible study groups at 08h45, synod 10h00, tea 11h00, synod 11h30,
midday prayers 12h45, lunch 13h00, synod 14h30, tea 15h30, synod
16h00, evening prayer 15h45, dinner 18h30, 19h45 committee of
synod/interest group discussions, ±22:00 bed. A very busy
schedule with no free time at all!
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