Compare and contrast Rowan Williams’ decison “not to withhold” an invitation to the Primates’ meeting in Tanzania next month with Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane’s statement below.
Which man shows more promise as a moral leader. Discuss.
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 11th January 2007.
Comment from Anglican Archbishop of Southern Africa, Njongonkulu Ndungane, on the reported threat by some African Bishops that they will not attend the forthcoming Primates’ meeting in Tanzania in February because of the presence of Katharine Jefferts Schori, new Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the USA.
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Africa is on fire with conflict in places like Darfur and Somalia. Added to this is the life and death struggle against HIV and AIDS, malaria, famine and unimaginable poverty, all of which are creating a continent of orphans. There is also climate change which threatens to bring untold devastation to our continent.
What we need is a united front to bring the needs of the people of Africa to centre stage at every international forum.
Reports of a boycott by some Anglican Archbishops of the Primates meeting in Tanzania because of the presence of a woman, who has been legitimately elected by the church in her country, is like fiddling while Rome burns. Most importantly it goes against God’s fundamental call for unity and reconciliation.
I hope it is not the case that Bishop Jefferts Schori’s presence is objectionable to some because she is a woman. Women have always been the backbone of Africa and, as an African, I am honoured to welcome her to our great continent.