South African Council of Churches to continue working for Christian unity and social justice. From left to right, Isabel Apawo Phiri, Frank Chikane, Malusi Mpumlwana and Olav Fykse Tveit, at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva
South African Council of Churches to continue working for Christian unity and social justice. From left to right, Isabel Apawo Phiri, Frank Chikane, Malusi Mpumlwana and Olav Fykse Tveit, at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva (2015). Credit: WCC/Diana Chabloz

South African Council of Churches to continue working for Christian unity and social justice

 — Sept. 22, 201522 sept. 2015
By Naveen Qayyum, WCC News

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) is all set to continue working for the unity of Christian witness and supporting communities in the country affected by poverty, unemployment, inequity and corruption.

These aspirations of the SACC were shared in a recent meeting on 16 September in Geneva, Switzerland, where Rev. Dr Frank Chikane, SACC’s senior vice president and Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, SACC’s acting general secretary, met with Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, and Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri, the WCC’s associate general secretary.

The SACC leadership shared that the strategic plan for the renewal of their organization is in place, continuing a revival after the council closed down in 2011 due to financial difficulties. Since 2014, the organization has been re-established, with the re-opening of Khotso House in Johannesburg where the SACC offices are based.

The WCC general secretary expressed his appreciation that the SACC is “back on its feet”. He said that it is only through “working together” that challenges can be overcome. “Many regional and national councils of churches have gone through problems, but we are working together to strengthen the fellowship. We need a strong SACC to grow in the ecumenical movement.”

Tveit continued, “The ecumenical movement is about the values of the kingdom of God, and we make them visible together. We have revitalized our understanding that we are a fellowship of churches. The pilgrimage of justice and peace is our way of making this a reality.”

“We are walking together, acting together and praying together. We cannot solve all our problems but we can each bring something to the ecumenical movement,” added Tveit.

Established in 1936, SACC with its member churches in South Africa works on issues of justice, reconciliation, integrity of creation and the eradication of poverty, and contributes towards the empowerment of all who are spiritually, socially and economically marginalized.

The SACC has nine provincial councils: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, and the Western Cape Provincial Council.

Posted: Sept. 22, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8663
Categories: WCC News • In this article: ecumenism, South African Council of Churches Transmis : 22 sept. 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8663
Catégorie : WCC News • Dans cet article : ecumenism, South African Council of Churches


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