Local church leaders have resolved to set up support groups for rape survivors and have affirmed the need for the Church to play an active role in civic life and education.
Local church leaders have resolved to set up support groups for rape survivors and have affirmed the need for the Church to play an active role in civic life and education.
The Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Grahamstown, meeting under the chairmanship of Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali at St Andrew's College last week, focused on the needs of people in parishes and society and how the Church can serve them.
Important issues addressed included the need for civic education among Anglican parishioners in order to witness to government and society, and the vital role of the Church in education – both theological education and the education of children and young people.
A prophetic call to contribute financially towards education and ministry was met with a spontaneous demonstration of generosity by members of Synod, which at no notice raised the sum of R 11 000 in cash.
Some members of Synod attended the Breaking the Silence ceremony in the Cathedral last Friday, in which rape survivors courageously told their stories of being violated, both outside and within the family.
The Synod passed resolutions that stress the importance of upholding the values of family life, and setting ethical standards for clergy, church workers and all Anglicans, and resolved to set up groups to support rape survivors.
The proceedings of Synod were supported with prayer and worship, and members kept in mind the Bishop’s reminder of the importance of spirituality in the 21st century, and the call made in the daily Bible studies by Canon Bill Domeris to servant leadership.
The Synod is the highest decision-making body of the Diocese, and meets every three years.
All working clergy of the Diocese attend, together with lay representatives elected by each Parish and Guild of the Diocese.
