http://anisa.org.za/news/20120420/prayer_service_held_honour_archbishop_hurley
Prayer Service Held in honour of Archbishop Hurley
If Archbishop Denis Hurley were alive today, he would be disappointed with the dark cloud of greed and corruption that is hovering above the nation and growing darker each day, Bishop Rubin Phillip of the Anglican Diocese of Natal said this afternoon.
Bishop Phillip, who described Hurley as one of the greatest sons of the African soil, was addressing worshippers at a prayer service in honour of Archbishop Hurley, attended by President Jacob Zuma, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize, eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cllr James Nxumalo and other senior government officials.
“We know all too well that times are troubled, that we still face massive challenges, such as in education, health, race relations, the growing gap between rich and poor, the plight of shack dwellers and the dark cloud which seems to get even darker each day: greed and corruption. If Hurley were alive today, you can be assured that he would be making his voice heard on these issues,” Bishop Phillip said.
“May we be delivered from this scourge which is eating away at our achievements, destroying us as a nation and impeding our progress towards a vibrant and functional democracy,” he added.
The church, he said, was mandated by Christ to take over his work of preaching good news to the poor. “We are now to continue working for a just and equal society. We dare not neglect this mandate because we have attained political freedom. We still have a long way to go towards attaining the kind of society that most of us dreamed of and, more, actually suffered for,” Bishop Phillip said.
He warned against taking the freedom for granted as it came at a great cost, adding that, that is the reason why we should not only guard and cherish it, but also amplify it and build on it.
Bishop Phillip ended by challenging the church to continue Hurley’s legacy by being prophetic. “It is now up to us, his friends, the church, to continue to speak truth to power and to work for justice. May Hurley continue to inspire us to give ourselves completely, as he did, to the building of our country,” he said.
(Press Release by the Diakonia Council of Churches and used by permission.Visit them at www.diakonia.org.za.)
Summary of Bishop Phillip’s Speech Published in the Daily News
Archbishop Hurley Always Took a Stand for Peace & Justice
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Diakonia Council of Churches strongly condemns the violence in Kennedy Road As an ecumenical organisation representing local churches in eThekwini, The settlement, home to some 7 000 residents most of whom are economic More recently we have witnessed the brutal attacks on innocent residents, We furthermore call on local and provincial government to provide immediate We join the many voices, both local and international, in condemning the The shack-dwelling communities of our country are most deserving of basic Finally, we urge all politicians and social activists, especially those at local
Diakonia Council of Churches Statement on the Attack on Abahlali baseMjondolo
Diakonia Council of Churches strongly condemns the recent attacks on the
property and lives of innocent and vulnerable people in the informal
settlement of Kennedy Road.
refugees, has been fraught with tensions arising from, amongst other
things, poor service delivery for many years. The formation of the social
movement known as Abahlali baseMjondolo has been a concerted and
commendable effort on the part of poor people to address the needs,
concerns and fears of the most marginalised within our community,
particularly those of women and children.
which have targeted members of Abahlali baseMjondolo, and their families
and property. The resultant deaths, detentions and beatings, and
displacement of an estimated 2 000 residents are deeply saddening and we
wish to extend our sympathies and condolences to all those affected. The
effects of these recent events on community and family life should not be
underestimated. As school children prepare for examinations, every effort
needs to be made to ensure that the situation is normalised with expediency.
Of grave concern is the long standing inaction and compliance on the part of
certain members of the South African Police Services (SAPS), particularly
those at the Sydenham police station, as well as the alleged compliance on
the part of SAPS members and some members of the local branch of the
African National Congress (ANC). A crucial aspect of our democracy is the
protection of every citizen, regardless of his or her economic status or political
affiliation, and these rights need to be secured and defended by, amongst
others, those state organs which are tasked to serve and protect. In particular,
the systematic and intentional targeting of members of Abahlali baseMjondolo
and their families is deplorable and we call upon national government to
urgently establish a commission of enquiry aimed at calling to account all
those responsible for these atrocities.
relief to those affected, especially the most vulnerable, including women and
children. We call on and encourage our local communities to extend a hand of
reconciliation and support to those affected and urge local leaders to play a
meaningful and immediate role in securing peace and tolerance in Kennedy
Road.
violence, howsoever this has been caused and by whomever. We urge all
residents of Kennedy Road to actively embrace the most basic principles of
democracy enshrined in our Constitution which seek to promote the protection
of the rights of citizens to organise themselves and to seek a better life for all,
regardless of race, ethnic identity, language, economic status or political
affiliation.
amenities such as the provision of fresh water, adequate sanitation and health
services, access to economic opportunities, the supply of electricity and
refuse removal, and a long term solution to their housing needs. The Kennedy
Road community has been subjected to prolonged agony and continues to
suffer in abject poverty, whilst becoming unwitting victims of political power
plays, corruption and crime. We urge our elected leaders to actively seek a
long-lasting and sustainable solution to the problems and challenges
experienced by the poorest of the electorate.
level, to embrace the fundamentals of our democracy which seek to
encourage and nurture difference and diversity, which celebrate our rich and
varied heritage, and which seek to embrace the rights of every citizen to the
unfettered freedom of association and expression, without fear or favour.
Says Bishop Barry Wood, Chairperson of Diakonia Council of Churches: “Our
country’s long and painful history reflects our nation’s desire for peace and
stability for all, and the advances made towards the deepening of democracy
must be supported and defended by us all, most especially those entrusted to
serve us and manage our resources in ways which glorify God”.