Month: January 2022

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In The News Inside Church

US bishops praise pledge by world powers to avoid nuclear war

According to Vatican News, US bishops have commended the recent commitment by five of the world’s nuclear powers to prevent nuclear conflict.

In a  rare joint statement issued on January 3, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) said they “believe strongly ” that the further spread of nuclear weapons must be prevented and that a nuclear war “cannot be won and must never be fought”.

The statement followed the announcement that the Tenth Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) which was due to start on January 4 had been once again postponed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Inside Church

WCC reflects on spiritual message of nativity and epiphany

The message focused on the gospel reading from Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 relaying how, while Jesus was in the water of Jordan to be baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. “It shows that we are part of God’s creation and are to be saved and transfigured with creation,” said Sauca. “Following this narrative of the feasts and of their meaning, I would like to continue briefly asking what could be the spiritual message of these feasts and its importance for us today?”

We see the manifestation of God’s love for his creation, said Sauca. “We also see in these feasts the meaning of the manifestation of God’s glory: laying in a manger,” he said. “Outside the city. Among animals. In the arms of a young, powerless maiden. Or in the waters of Jordan, with and among the sinners and outcasts.”

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Photo: Stained glass window in the Ecumenical Centre chapel. Photo: Nikos Kosmidis/WCC

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Inside Church Media Room

New eco-theology book combines diverse views with best practices

A new volume – “Contemporary ecotheology, climate justice and environmental stewardship in the world” – is the latest of the continued fruits of the 6th International Conference on Ecological theology and Environmental Ethics, or Ecothee, which took place in September 2019 at the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymvari.

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Photo: WCC

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In The News Inside Church

India government allows MC nuns to continue receiving foreign donations

The Indian government has restored the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license of the Missionaries of Charity (MC), clearing the religious congregation founded by Mother Teresa of Kolkata to receive and utilize foreign funds.

The turnaround by the Ministry of Home Affairs came on 7 January, less than a fortnight after it declined to renew the license of the MC, registered with the government as MoC.

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In The News

Auction of key to Mandela’s prison cell halted, to be returned to SA

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, has commended the New York-based auction house Guernsey’s for agreeing to suspend the key to former President Nelson Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island from going under the hammer. 

According to the department, the key that was scheduled to be auctioned online this month is part of the national estate in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA).

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In The News

SA records over 4 400 new COVID-19 cases

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) says South Africa recorded at least 4 482 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 3 526 054.

A further 82 deaths as a result of complications related to the virus have also been recorded.

This brings the total number of people who have died due to complications related to the virus to 92 453.

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In The News

Class of 2021 disadvantaged by reduced teaching time in Grade 11

The matric class of 2021 was disrupted in their schooling over the last two years, and the impact of the loss of more than 50% of their Grade 11 year presented serious consequences for the class.

Speaking at the Umalusi standardisation meeting held on Thursday in Pretoria, the Department of Basic Education Director-General, Mathanzima Mweli, said the important foundation that Grade 11 work builds in preparation for Grade 12 was weakened.

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Inside Church

Across the world, churches work to end child abuse

As one straightforward workshop participant put it: “It’s our responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of our children.”

Out of the Shadows workshops were held in parts of Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa, with the goal of training church leaders so they can train others. The “ripple effect” is already in evidence.

For example, in Nigeria alone, almost 200 leaders from church-run schools participated in the most recent workshop led by the Christian Council of Nigeria.

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Photo: Ayoko Bahun Wilson/WCC

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In The News

SA’s COVID-19 infections cross the 3.5 million mark

South Africa’s COVID-19 cases have now surpassed 3.5 million after 9 860 people tested positive on Thursday across the country.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), this means there are now 3 504 554 confirmed cases since the outbreak, representing a 21% positivity rate.

Data shows that the Western Cape recorded the highest daily infection after 2 632 people were confirmed to have contracted the virus, followed by 2 123 in Gauteng, 2 036 in KwaZulu-Natal and 1 079 in the Eastern Cape, while the rest of the provinces recorded less than 500 cases each.

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In The News Inside Church

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will draw together churches across the world

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held 18-25 January, will draw together churches across the globe to reflect on the hope and joy in Matthew 2:2, “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him.”

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Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC