South American bishops call for climate action
AN ENJOINDER to avoid investing in companies that damage the environment is contained in a declaration on climate change signed by Anglican bishops in South America last week. Bishops and delegates from six countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay) were joined by the Anglican Alliance to discuss a church response to the challenge, at a conference organised by Dr Andrew Leake, a CMS mission partner in the diocese of Northern Argentina. The declaration addresses congregations, dioceses, and the Province, with calls including a reduction in the consumption of meat and the use of plastic.
More than half child refugees internally displaced
MORE than half of all child refugees remain in their home countries, research by World Vision suggests. The charity’s report On the Road to Somewhere suggests that the UK, and other wealthy countries, are not committing enough funding to the needs of these 16 million internally displaced children. Among the recommendations is “empowering children as agents of peace”.
Tearfund appeals for help to tackle hunger in Burundi
AN APPEAL for Burundi, where more than half the population face chronic malnutrition, has been launched by Tearfund. Funds raised will go towards temporary feeding centres to help the most vulnerable, including pregnant women and the under-fives. Tearfund will also provide seeds so that families can grow their own crops, and teach new farming techniques. Tearfund’s Country Manager in Burundi, Desire Majambere, said that he had seen mothers begging for food for their children, but that the feeding centres were providing hope. A similar appeal was launched last year, when 700,000 people were in need of emergency food supplies (News, 14 July).
Lord Williams marshals critics of Iranian regime
A PETITION in defence of religious minorities in Iran, organised by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams, has been signed by more than 50 Anglican bishops in the UK, including the Primates of the Church in Wales and the Scottish Episcopal Church. It urges countries to “base any improvement of relations with Iran on a cessation of oppression of minorities and a halt to executions in Iran” and says that a “nationwide uprising in December and January” demonstrated Iranians’ “rejection of the ruling theocracy under the name of Islam”.
New director for CMS-Africa
CMS-Africa has appointed Canon Moses Bushendich as its new international director. He will take up his new post in September, with his base in Nairobi. He is currently the coordinator for the household and community transformation directorate of the Church of Uganda.
PASpeaking out: the Bishop of Washington, the Rt Revd Mariann Budde, speaks at a protest by women faith leaders outside the HQ of US Customs and Border Protection, in Washington, DC, against the separation of children from their immigrant parents at the border, a matter of government policy