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From the desk of the General Secretary, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana

REV FRANK CHIKANE & SACC DELEGATION TO REPORT ON VISIT TO HOLY LAND

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) joined former SACC Vice-President and former General Secretary of the SACC, the Rev Frank Chikane, in his capacity as the Moderator of the Churches Commission on International Affairs (CCIA) of the World Council Churches (WCC) and Emeritus Pastor of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM) in undertaking a pastoral visit to Palestine/Israel from 24-27 May 2022.

The delegation included Rev Mzwandile Molo, the Director – Church Liaison & Community Empowerment for the SACC, and Rev. Moss Ntlha, the General Secretary of The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa (TEASA) and a pastor of the Ebenezer Evangelical Church.

The delegation attended the annual “Christ at the Checkpoint” Conference in Bethlehem, Palestine, and additionally undertook different engagements to interaction with Church leaders, community leaders and human rights groups in Palestine and Israel. Visits to communities and families of the oppressed were also conducted, which uncovered the full extent of the 55 years illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.

You are therefore invited to attend the media briefing where the delegation will offer a report back on their visit:

DATE: Thursday 2 June 2022

TIME: 10:30 am for 11:00 am
VENUE: SACC Head Office, Khotso House, 62 Marshall St, JHB CBD

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WCC expresses “very deep Christian concern” on COVID-19 outbreak in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

“We stand with you in solidarity and prayer in the midst of this time of trial,” wrote Sauca. “We grieve with you before God, for the loss of those who have been taken by this pandemic.”

Sauca also expressed solidarity with those who share the pain of those who are sick and suffering. “It is our hope and prayer that during this crisis God will continue to accompany you and uphold you as the North Korean people strives for healing and recovery,” Sauca wrote. “As a global community of faith, we affirm that, even amid our vulnerability, we trust in God who is our hope.”

Sauca communicated a spirit of living hope. “While we all live amidst fear, anxiety, and uncertainty during this ongoing pandemic, may our faith and spiritual values sustain us to live with hope in God’s abundant mercies, love, care and protection,” he concluded.

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General fuel levy temporary suspension extended to August

Government has offered much-needed short-term reprieve to motorists by extending the temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of R1.50 per litre.

Initially, the Ministers of Finance and Mineral Resources and Energy had on 31 March 2022 jointly announced a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of R1.50 per litre from 6 April 2022 until 31 May 2022.

This was to provide limited short term relief to households from rising fuel prices following the Russia/Ukraine conflict.

On Tuesday, the two departments said relief was to be funded by a liquidation of a portion of the strategic crude oil reserves.

“Since this announcement, the continuation of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, supply chain bottle-necks and a tightening of global monetary policy have led to further unfavourable changes in the two key drivers of the regulated petrol price, the exchange rate and the global oil price.

“These events have led to even larger increases in fuel prices compared to a few months ago when the temporary fuel levy relief was introduced. The withdrawal of the temporary relief in the general fuel levy on 31 March 2022, as per the original announcement, would contribute to an increase in petrol prices of close to R4 per litre, and push prices of 95 octane unleaded petrol (ULP) to above R25 per litre, an increase of just under 20 percent next month.”

The departments said due to this significant monthly price increase, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Tuesday submitted a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, requesting the tabling of a two-month proposal for the extension of the reduction in the general fuel levy.

“This will take the form of a continuation of the relief of R1.50 per litre for the first month, from 1 June 2022 to 6 July 2022, and then a downward adjustment to the relief for the second month to 75c per litre from 7 July 2022 to 2 August 2022,” they said.

They added that the temporary relief would be withdrawn from 3 August 2022.

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Inside Church

Pope’s pilgrimage of peace, hope, closeness to DRC and South Sudan

Two nations, three cities, eight discourses, three homilies, and meetings with civil and ecclesial authorities, young people, displaced persons, and victims of violence.

An intense programme with few moments of rest awaits the Pope as he travels, from 2 to 7 July, to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, where – fulfilling a wish expressed years ago – is due to undertake an “Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace”, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields.

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At Katholikentag, WCC moderator reflects on faith and hope

Abuom offered two presentations, the first on 27 May as part of a panel with titled “The love of Christ moves, reconciles and unites the world,” and the second on 28 May as part of a service with the theme “Celebrating with Global Ecumenism.”

Abuom reflected on how the theme of the WCC 11th Assembly, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity,” is intertwined with the Katholikentag theme.

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Government welcomes humanitarian aid from Qatar

Government has welcomed much-needed humanitarian aid from the State of Qatar, as it is expected to bolster efforts in response to the devastating floods that recently hit KwaZulu-Natal.

The humanitarian aid delivered by the State of Qatar on Sunday comprised,among other things, foodstuff, clothing, generators, water purifiers, ventilators, tents and medical supplies.

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Churches diaconal work in Italy an essential tool in upholding human dignity of refugees

The 2022 regional focus of the WCC Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace in 2022 is Europe. The visit is facilitated by the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe and hosted by Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy. 

The WCC delegation is led by Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the WCC central committee, and Torsten Moritz, general secretary of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe. 

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Synodality should lead us to live communion more intensely

Synodality has been taking root in the Church in Latin America for some time, embracing “a correct interpretation” of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council that implies “learning anew how to walk together” in the face of epochal changes in society.

At the same time, Pope Francis told the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, “we have to be aware of our limitation in order to be able to mature and bear evangelical fruit” on this synodal path.

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Act on food crisis now, urges WHO special envoy at WCC-led meeting

Dr David Nabarro, special envoy of the World Health Organization on COVID-19, urged the church and civil society leaders to act now in the briefing with participants from different parts of the world, particularly Africa.

After an introduction by Dr Manoj Kurian, coordinator of the WCC-Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, Nabarro cautioned, “that we don’t look back on 2022 as the year where there was a crisis of civilization, because building on the pandemic, humanity we just could not find a way to promote equity, the realization of rights, and the wellbeing of not just people, but our beautiful planet.”

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WCC on gun violence in the United States: “Our grief is deep, our prayers are strong”

Nineteen children and two adults were killed in the latest tragic incident, most of them at an elementary school in Texas. 

“And again, it is on behalf of our worldwide fellowship of churches that I offer our sincere condolences to people and churches in the US,” wrote Sauca. “Yesterday’s gun violence and the loss of life are horrific reminders of how people on earth fall short of the will of our just and loving God.”

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Photo: WCC