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calls for C of E suspension In December 2005 the Civil Partnerships Act will come into force in the UK, and will provide legal recognition of homosexual partners. Abp Akinola’s statement is in response to a pastoral statement made by the C of E bishops saying they would allow gay clergy to register their civil partnership as long as they agreed to abstain from sex. Abp Akinola has called for the C of E to face disciplinary action. Part of his statement issued during August reads, “I read with utter dismay the pastoral statement recently issued by the Church of England House of Bishops with regard to the Civil Partnership Act scheduled to come into force on 5 December 2005. While I was pleased to note the reaffirmation of the Church’s historic teaching on both marriage and sexual intercourse, I was sorely distressed that these words are not matched by corresponding actions. The language of the Civil Partnerships Act makes it plain that what is being proposed is same-sex marriage in everything but name. This is even acknowledged in the statement. I find it incomprehensible therefore that the House of Bishops would not find open participation in such ‘marriages’ to be repugnant to Holy Scriptures and incompatible with Holy Orders. “The proposal that the bishops will extract a promise from clergy who register that there will be no sexual intimacy in these relationships is the height of hypocrisy. It is totally unworkable and it invites deception and ridicule. How on earth can this be honoured? For the Church of England to promote such a departure from historic teaching is outrageous. I also note with alarm that the statement encourages the church to ask nothing of lay people who become registered same-sex partners before they are admitted to baptism, confirmation and communion. This not only dishonours the laity and the sacraments of the Church - it also makes it obvious that the bishops of the Church of England are proposing a deliberate change in the discipline of the church.” What Abp Akinola is demanding is that the C of E be suspended, and therefore removed from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), which means it would lose its voice in the Church’s world-wide deliberations. The full statement by the C of E bishops is available on the Iindaba diocesan web page: www.anglicandiocesepe.org.za Traditional healers I hear on SABC that even those responsible for health care in our country are seeking to register traditional healers so that medical aids will meet the costs of their service. Now we hear from Bishop Bethlehem that “traditional healing most time tends to participate in muti cults for human sacrifice” (Iindaba – August 2005.) What a shocking revelation! There are many thousands of traditional healers. iIf most of them are involved in human sacrifice why are the law enforcement authorities doing nothing about it? Is human sacrifice so common and widespread? Why do the health authorities want to recognise traditional healers and persuade medical aids to regard them as genuine health practitioners? Like Pilate, I ask myself, ‘what is truth?’ I would value reading the opinions of those who know more than I do about the subject. Ruthell Johnson
It is always a fair exercise to respond to articles in context. Those who read my letter of Iindaba (August 2005) on traditional healers will understand better what I said. The word “witchdoctor” is no longer in use. My understanding of traditional healers is twofold: 1 There are those who use herbs only. Their diagnosis depends on the patient explaining the nature of illness. These are referred to as herbalists (amaxhwele). Though helpful, the media have occasionally revealed notorious acts of “muti” cults with some of them. 2 The second group are those who diagnose illness through the medium of invoking the spirits of the dead, and throwing bones (Lev 20 : 27 & Deut. 18 : 9 -13). They also use herbs, but are famous for causing dissension and friction among families and community people by accusing innocent people of withcraft practices, especially elderly women who may not have good looking facial features. This is an undesirable group (ngamagqirha ke la). The government and those in health services seek to speak to the former. The interest is in herbs, not mediums or divination. The bottom line, though, is that Christ remains the Healer for those who believe. Chance-takers God abhors (Acts 19 : 11 – 20). “Look always unto Jesus, the author and furnisher of our faith” (Heb. 11). May God bless you.
TEE College Information Meeting Subjects range across the whole spectrum of the Bible, Theology, Pastoral Ministry, and Leader-ship, to name just a few. Award courses are available also in Xhosa. The Award Preaching course in particular, has been used by a number of parishes in our Diocese.At the meeting in November, you will be able to decide what course is best for you, and be given information about how to register. Enquiries to the Revd Howard Lancaster at 041 360 1267. HIV/AIDS management Centre for Christian Spirituality Retreat uMariya uMama weThemba Monastery "In Celebration of Creation" International Food Fare at St Hugh’s “First for PE - The Global Leadership
Summit 2005” We want to involve as many churches as possible. We want
this event to be a tool which annually equips us to be better leaders
in order to: Cost: R300 per candidate Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage |
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