News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Bishops pic lambethbanner.jpg
Bishops pic lambeth.jpg
World News

Bishops at the Lambeth Conference hear importance, impact of reconciliation

by Tola Mbakwe

Bishops at the Lambeth Conference have made a commitment to strive for justice, during a discussion on a Call on Reconciliation.

On Tuesday the bishops heard how conflict and oppression has devastated communities and caused division. 

At the Plenary for Reconciliation, Most Rev Carlos Matsinhe, Primate of Igreja Anglicana de Moçambique e Angola spoke in Portuguese about reconciliation work in Mozambique against a `backdrop of occupation and colonisation'.

The 16 year civil war has killed more than a million people and displaced half the population. 

It's something that Rt Rev Erik Ruwona, Bishop of Manicaland in Zimbabwe knows all too well. 

He told Premier: "We are neighbours to Mozambique," he said. "And we understand we live under that constant threat of the conflict in Mozambique spilling over into Zimbabwe". 

He added: "On tribal lines, we have been divided in terms of the south and north. And there has never been any systematic process to reconcile us as a nation. But I also come from a Church that is divided. 

"In 2007, two of our bishops made an attempt to secede from the Church of the province of Central Africa, and divided people big time and we are still trying to find our way together and reconcile.  So far we've made progress, by way of accepting the clergy, those who have chosen to come back and apologise to the Church. But sadly, there are men who are unable to who feel they did nothing wrong and continue to do things that hurt others."

The Plenary heard from Rt Rev Pradeep Samantaroy, Amritsar, United Church of North India who spoke of the impact of the apology given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on the 100th anniversary of the Amritsar massacre. 

"Reconciliation is part of our identity," he said. "We are ambassadors for Christ, partners to engage in the ministry of reconciliation."

The Call on Reconciliation invited each Province of the Communion to "self-examination and reflection, listening respectfully to the experiences of those who have historically been, and continue to be, marginalised in their contexts and in their church."

It stated that differences in the Anglican Communion can both challenge and deepen our experience of God in the other.

It also asked for work "deconstructing the historic legacy of colonialism and continued complicity in British and American empire, as we recognise the centrality of justice and accountability in God's reconciliation."
 

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate