Churches launch campaign for ‘water justice’
THE Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, has said that problems surrounding the distribution and sanitation of water in poor countries are the result of “global inequality”. He was speaking at the launch of an Anglican-led initiative and website, JustWater2017.org, set up to tackle “water injustice” and the challenges of flooding and drought. It was organised by St Paul’s Cathedral; St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town; St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne; and Trinity Church, Wall Street, in New York.
Power vacuum in parts of Columbia, says bishop
THE conclusion of peace talks between the Colombian government and FARC rebels, and the start of negotiations with the second largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), has created a power vacuum in rural parts of the country, the Bishop of Apartadó, Mgr Hugo Torres, has warned, CAFOD reported this week. The peace process has led to a rise in paramilitary activity and killings of human-rights activists. “We are deeply shocked and saddened by these killings,” Bishop Torres said. “Territory previously under influence of the FARC guerrillas is now being taken over by paramilitary groups and drug traffickers. The Colombian state has abandoned people living in rural areas. The Church in Colombia calls on government leaders and security agencies to take action to stop this conflict, which is scarring the image of our region.”
Episcopal appeal from South Sudan
THE Bishop of Kajo-Keji, in South Sudan, the Rt Revd Emmanuel Murye Modi, has appealed to the international community for food and medical supplies for the internally displaced and “remants” of Kajo-Kehi, and to assist in refugee camps in Uganda, the Anglican News Service reported on Monday. “The Church is encouraging people to stay, even if it means gathering into churches for security and other services,” he said.
US Primate opposes Texan Bathroom Bill
THE Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States, the Most Revd Michael Curry, and the President of the General Convention’s House of Deputies, the Revd Gay Clark Jennings, have expressed support for opponents of a Bill in Texas which would require transgender people to use public conveniences according to the “biological sex” stated on their birth certificate. In a letter praising the Texas House of Representatives for opposing Senate Bill 6 — known as the Bathroom Bill — Bishop Curry and Mrs Jennings wrote that the Episcopal Church was “proudly diverse: racially, economically, and in terms of sexual orientation and gender identity”.
Charity’s application for UN access rejected
THE UN Committee on NGOs voted on Thursday of last week to reject an application for accreditation from the charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide. This would have given it access to the “key human rights advocacy platforms”, including the Human Rights Council and General Assembly, the charity says. Its application has been deferred since 2009.