Photo via episcopalchurch.org

South Africa: New Anglican head calls on Church to heal the world

The new Anglican Archbishop of Cape and Primate of Southern Africa took office on Sunday with a call to Christians to come out and heal the bruised, crushed and broken in God’s world, reports CISA News.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba was installed at St George's Cathedral, succeeding Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndingane who retired at the end of last year.

“Our mission is the mission of Jesus, and we are to learn to do things his way, as we see him at work in the world to which he both calls and sends us,” he said.

Quoting the Moderator of the World Council of Churches, Archbishop Makgoba said only a church that is liberated from self-captivity, that is in creative dialogue with its environment and courageously faces the problems of its times, a church with the people and for the people, can become a living source of God’s empowering and transforming grace.

“The world is full of change and challenge, and we cannot take refuge in “my church, my parish, my pew.” From local community issues to questions about the global environment and our own carbon footprints, Christ calls us to join his Spirit-led mission of peace and reconciliation, of empowering and transforming grace.”

But it is not the clergy alone who are on God’s mission. “God’s mission is the mission of all the baptized. It is the life of worship, witness and service to which we commit ourselves in confirmation. The whole Church of God, regardless of denominational boundaries, and, dare I add, those of other faiths and none, are summoned to this work of God’s healing action and reconciling love.”

Archbishop Makogba called for courage in attending to human suffering in the world - “from Zimbabwe to Darfur, from Iraq to Tibet.”

“So, we dare to participate in the mission of God to the world, even as we recognise this is always a risky business. We are to usher in peace, and actively bring to bear the healing presence of the crucified and resurrected Christ across all the nations.”

New iPad POLL! VOTE NOW! Will you buy new iPad?

[04/03/2008]

Print Version