African Church Leaders Decry Congo Violence by The Living Church Foundation December 18, 2008 More than 250,000 persons have been displaced by violence in the eastern part of the Congo since last August. Hutu tribal militias, ethnic Tutsi rebels, and Congolese soldiers are engaged in an escalating civil war. In addition to destruction of property, rape and being caught in the midst of battles, civilians have also been targeted for kidnapping and extortion in order to help finance the acquisition of more weapons. “People are tired and want an end to the war,” the leaders said, “and dialogue costs much less than armed confrontation.” The delegation that was initiated by the All African Conference of Churches added their support to churches in the Congo who are working with other agencies to alleviate the suffering of people, especially the displaced; and trying to encourage the disarmament and repatriation of armed Rwandan groups living in the eastern part of the Congo. Anglican Communion News Service contributed to this report. Episcopal Church of The Sudan – Diocese of Khartoum Bishop Duncan Endorses Church Alliance for a New Sudan December 30, 2008 The Rt. Reverend Robert Duncan, moderator of the Anglican Communion Network, has written an open letter to Network parishes endorsing the work of the Institute on Religion and Democracy’s Church Alliance for a New Sudan (CANS). The Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD), based in Washington, DC, began advocacy for Sudan over twelve years ago, as part of its religious liberty work. In 2000 IRD developed the Church Alliance for a New Sudan to mobilize churches to an alliance of prayer, personal relationship, and public action supporting the Sudanese dream of a New Sudan with peace, democracy, and religious freedom for all. “With my blessing, CANS Director Faith McDonnell is inviting Network parishes to consider becoming part of this critical alliance between U.S. churches, the Church in Sudan, and Sudanese churches in the United States.” “CANS has been a voice for suffering Sudanese Christians to churches and to the U.S. government,” said Bishop Duncan. “As we know, the genocide in the western province of Darfur is a repeat of the even longer lasting and more deadly – yet undeclared – genocide perpetrated by the same Islamist government in Khartoum against our brother and sister Christians, as well as Muslims and followers of traditional Nilotic religion, in Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains. The bishop commended CANS’ commitment to not just help save one area of Sudan, but to come alongside the Sudanese themselves to bring transformation to the whole country. “I have worked with Faith and with the Church Alliance for a New Sudan for many years both in my capacity as bishop of Pittsburgh and as moderator of the Anglican Communion Network,” said Bishop Duncan. He added that the idea of creating a closer working relationship first arose during McDonnell’s visit to Pittsburgh in January 2008. “We see our ministry as connecting people,” McDonnell said. “Since the first ‘Plano’ meeting in October, 2003, CANS has worked with caring parishes to make sure that our Sudanese brothers and sisters are included in the gatherings of faithful Episcopalians and Anglicans.” As part of the Church Alliance for a New Sudan, parishes will be equipped to pray for, build relationship with, and be advocates for Sudan, according to McDonnell. CANS provides information and resources, as well as opportunities for advocacy and for helping the Sudanese to flesh out the vision of the “New Sudan,” strengthening and encouraging pastors and other leaders in Sudan, and supporting the work of the Sudanese church in the United States. McDonnell is also willing to come and speak at Network parishes. “Along with other Global South churches, the Episcopal Church of Sudan is standing firm for the Gospel, defending the biblical Christianity that has been dismissed by revisionists,” says McDonnell. “While preparing for the future of Anglicanism in North America, faithful, biblically-based Anglicans and Episcopalians in the United States must not become self-focused. We must stand with these brothers and sisters who are standing with us.” Interested parishes are urged to contact Faith McDonnell directly, at the Institute on Religion and Democracy, 1023 15th Street, NW, Suite 601, Washington, DC. 202–682–4131, or fmcdonnell@theird.org . The full text of Bishop Duncan’s open letter follows: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ: Since 2000, the Church Alliance for a New Sudan (CANS), a project of the Institute on Religion & Democracy (IRD) in Washington, DC, has mobilized churches to prayer, personal relationship, and public action on behalf of our Sudanese brothers and sisters. CANS is a voice for the Christians of Sudan – bringing their suffering to light before churches in the West and before the U.S. government. With my blessing CANS director Faith McDonnell is inviting Network parishes to learn about and consider becoming part of this critical alliance between U.S. churches, Sudanese churches in the U.S., the Church in Sudan, and others, such as Christian human rights and relief organizations. Currently, genocide is being waged in the western province of Darfur by the Sudanese government in Khartoum. Hundreds of thousands of innocent African Muslim men, women, and children have died. Thousands of villages have been destroyed, forcing the displacement of additional millions. You probably know that this is a repeat of an even more deadly yet undeclared genocide perpetrated by the same Islamic government. That was the “civil war” waged against our Christian brothers and sisters as well as Muslims and followers of traditional Nilotic religion in Southern Sudan, the Nuba Mountains, and other marginalized areas until the signing of a peace agreement in 2005. In addition, Khartoum has oppressed the people of eastern Sudan, and now this same pattern is once again being repeated in the north of Sudan – in the land of the ancient Christian kingdom of Nubia. Khartoum is damming the Nile to flood Nubia. This will result in the devastation of a people, a culture, and a history. I have worked with the Church Alliance for a New Sudan in my capacity both as the Bishop of Pittsburgh and as the moderator of the Anglican Communion Network. I have found them to be invaluable in the following areas:
Posted on 2008-12-30 11:09:20 |