Archbishop condemns ‘corrupt’ South Africa

THE “tentacles” of corruption in South Africa have been condemned by the Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, in a speech decrying the “absence of moral leadership” in the country. “Today, those same leaders who showed such courage in the old struggle have not only abandoned the concept of courage: today they punish anyone who tries to uphold the principles of courage,” he told a rally on Wednesday. “While we and our leaders live under the delusion that we are promoting equality in our society, the corruption that is spreading its tentacles across our society actually entrenches inequality.” After quoting the former President Nelson Mandela, he called on his audience to demonstrate “the same level of courage that won our liberation from apartheid”, and “expose their sense of moral consciousness to the sun. Why? Because, the sun is God’s disinfectant.” Corrupt leaders had created a “historic era of sadness”, he said.

Bishops send condolences to victims of haj disaster

BISHOPS have sent messages of sympathy to Muslim communities, after a stampede outside Mecca at the annual haj left at least 769 people dead. Another 805 people were injured in the worst disaster at the pilgrimage site for 15 years. The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart, said: “This is a devastating tragedy that has affected communities across the world. This is an important spiritual journey made by an increasing number of Muslims each year. I hope urgent action is taken to ensure the safety of all who travel.”

Faith alliance joins fight to end maternal and child deaths

ONE million faith leaders are the target of an interfaith group’s campaign to improve women’s health and tackle child mortality. The group, the Faith Alliance for Health, includes several faith-based organisations, including Episcopal Relief and Development. Last Saturday, representatives joined the launch of the UN’s campaign Every Woman Every Child, in New York, to present a plan showing how the influence of faith leaders can contribute to the drive to end preventable deaths of women and children by 2030.

Charity urges Eygpt to free Christian journalist

CALLS for the release of a Christian convert who remains in prison in Egypt were made by Release International this week. No pardon has been granted to Bishoy Boulous, who was jailed for reporting attacks on churches and trying to change his religious affiliation, the charity reported on Tuesday. The Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, pardoned 100 people before the UN summit this week.