GLOBAL SOUTH ANGLICAN LEADERS: "We will not abandon the poor or persecuted"
CONN/691006
Peter Onwubuariri, Abuja
Leaders of the Global South of the Anglican Communion have pledged their commitment to the welfare of the poor and the persecuted worldwide.
Their declaration came after a visit to the Kigali Genocide Museum in Rwanda, a memorial of the 250,000 helpless victims killed during the Rwandan Genocide, 12 years ago.
A statement following a four-day meeting which ended Sept. 22 in Kigali described Global South Leaders as having prayed and wept at the mass grave of the victims of the Rwanda Genocide.
According to the statement, the Global South Leaders, who are mainly from Africa, Asia, Australia and South America and who represent more than half of worldwide Anglicans, were ‘chastened’ by the experience of visiting the Genocide museum.
In a gripping tone, the statement said: “we… commit ourselves not to abandon the poor or the persecuted wherever they may be and in whatever circumstances. We add our voices to their and we say, “Never Again.”.
They warned that in spite of the memories of the Rwandan genocide, several countries in the Southern hemisphere are still consumed in the middle of dangerous conflict.
“We are very aware of the agonizing situation in the Sudan. We appreciate and commend the Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the North and the South.”
“We dare not, however, close our eyes to the devastating situation in Darfur. We are conscious of the complexities but there must be no continuation of the slaughter.”
They called on all Provinces in the Anglican Communion and the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of Darfur, Sudan.
On an upbeat note, the statement acknowledged the reconciling power of God’s love at work in Rwanda and Burundi following the completion of a ceasefire agreement between government and the Paliphehutu-FNL.
Describing the turn of events as ‘occasions for hope for the future’, the Church Leaders lauded the gradual return of peace in Northern Uganda and the elections due to take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria is Chairman of the Global South and the Kigali meeting was attended by representatives of 20 provinces in the Anglican Communion.
These include Bangladesh Burundi, Central Africa, Church of South India, Congo, Indian Ocean, Jerusalem and Middle East. Others are Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, Southern Africa, South East Asia, Southern Cone, Sudan,
CONN/691006
Peter Onwubuariri, Abuja
Leaders of the Global South of the Anglican Communion have pledged their commitment to the welfare of the poor and the persecuted worldwide.
Their declaration came after a visit to the Kigali Genocide Museum in Rwanda, a memorial of the 250,000 helpless victims killed during the Rwandan Genocide, 12 years ago.
A statement following a four-day meeting which ended Sept. 22 in Kigali described Global South Leaders as having prayed and wept at the mass grave of the victims of the Rwanda Genocide.
According to the statement, the Global South Leaders, who are mainly from Africa, Asia, Australia and South America and who represent more than half of worldwide Anglicans, were ‘chastened’ by the experience of visiting the Genocide museum.
In a gripping tone, the statement said: “we… commit ourselves not to abandon the poor or the persecuted wherever they may be and in whatever circumstances. We add our voices to their and we say, “Never Again.”.
They warned that in spite of the memories of the Rwandan genocide, several countries in the Southern hemisphere are still consumed in the middle of dangerous conflict.
“We are very aware of the agonizing situation in the Sudan. We appreciate and commend the Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the North and the South.”
“We dare not, however, close our eyes to the devastating situation in Darfur. We are conscious of the complexities but there must be no continuation of the slaughter.”
They called on all Provinces in the Anglican Communion and the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of Darfur, Sudan.
On an upbeat note, the statement acknowledged the reconciling power of God’s love at work in Rwanda and Burundi following the completion of a ceasefire agreement between government and the Paliphehutu-FNL.
Describing the turn of events as ‘occasions for hope for the future’, the Church Leaders lauded the gradual return of peace in Northern Uganda and the elections due to take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria is Chairman of the Global South and the Kigali meeting was attended by representatives of 20 provinces in the Anglican Communion.
These include Bangladesh Burundi, Central Africa, Church of South India, Congo, Indian Ocean, Jerusalem and Middle East. Others are Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, Southern Africa, South East Asia, Southern Cone, Sudan,
