Categories News Bishops sign Charter for a Safe and Inclusive Church Post date 27th February 2019 Archbishop Thabo Makgoba led the Synod of Bishops in signing the Charter. The Anglican bishops of Southern Africa have signed a charter committing themselves to a range of steps to protect people from abuse in the church. Bishops attending the February session of the Synod of Bishops all signed the charter after a workshop arranged by the Church’s newly-established Safe and Inclusive Ministry group. Safe and Inclusive Ministry has two Provincial Safe Church Officers and each Diocese has its own ministry team. Amendments to the church’s Canons will be proposed to Provincial Synod in September this year after deliberations by the Safe and Inclusive Ministry and the Canon Law Council. The charter, presented by Rosalie Manning of Safe and Inclusive Ministry, and also a member of the Canon Law Council, reads as follows: A CHARTER FOR SAFE AND INCLUSIVE CHURCH Preamble We, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa are people of God. Recognising that all people embody the spirit of God that needs to be nurtured and brought into the fullness of life. We recognise and acknowledge that our places of worship and learning have for many caused untold pain, hurt and harm, and have left individuals and families deeply scarred. We therefore commit ourselves to a Programme of Action based on this Charter to promote a culture of safety and inclusion amongst all our people, organizations, institutions and places of worship. And through ongoing education and training to equip all who minister to prevent the occurrence of abuse and create spaces where justice and restoration can take place. And we accept this work of creating as safe and inclusive church as part of our sacred vocation as God’s people in the world. Charter Culture of safety and inclusivity We recognize that a culture of safety and inclusivity needs to be grounded in our theological understanding of who we are as people of God. This understanding informs not only our approach to “being in the world, but not of the world” but also must be manifested in how we “do” Church. We therefore commit ourselves to being a people called to manifest the saving and unconditional love of God. We will promote a culture of safety and inclusion in parishes, church organizations and institutions by theological education and ongoing training to help all ministers prevent the occurrence of abuse. In addition, we commit to boldly confronting the systemic factors which create the context of abuse. Effective Response to Abuse We recognize that prevention is better than cure. As such we commit ourselves to taking the necessary steps to create a culture of safety and inclusion. Were abuse does occur we will implement policies and procedures we have to respond properly to allegations of abuse against all ministers within the church as defined by Act XV including but not limited to: Making known within churches the procedure for making complaints; Arranging pastoral care for any person making a complaint of abuse; The impartial determination of allegations of abuse against a minister of the church, and assessment of their suitability for future ministry; Providing support for affected parishes, organizations and institutions; In addition, we recognize that a timeous response is of utmost importance and commit to creating processes and structures to ensure this. Pastoral Support where there is Abuse We will provide pastoral support for the abused and abuser; their families, affected parishes, organizations and institutions by: Listening with patience and compassion to their experiences and concerns; Offering spiritual assistance and other forms of pastoral care; Providing practical support as those affected go on the journey of healing. Practice of Pastoral Ministry We remain committed to the implementation of Act XV, and promote by education and training these standards. This includes ongoing professional development of all ministers of the church as well as a commitment to their continued spiritual growth. Suitability for Ministry We will have and implement policies and procedures to assess the suitability of persons for ordination as clergy or appointment to positions of responsibility in the church including: Practice of background checks; Ongoing checks prior to each licensing appointment ← Seeing More Clearly – Pastoral Letter from the Synod of Bishops – February 2019 → COTT Spring School 2019 12 replies on “Bishops sign Charter for a Safe and Inclusive Church” Thanks very much, hoping that clergy spouse’s safety will be considered also. Building a caring and inclusive church is vita for all of us as parishioners. Yet as we are living in the days where the end is approaching. We need to pray and be extremely careful not to accomodate people and live God aside, lets read and respect what the scriptures say. All I am saying is, what the scriptures impose to us as Christians MUST not be compromised for the same of inclusiveness. Thank you for this. Do you know who is the Safe Church Ministry representative for the Diocese of the Highveld? It should be clear that apart from giving the abuser pastoral care he should also face the law of the land. I trust that abuse by any clergy person towards any LGBTI person, not understanding his/her differing sexuality, will also be dealt with and rectified. There are far too many LGBTI folk who have NOT found a safe & loving haven within the Christian community, but in a sense have been vilified by the Church. May God have mercy on us for this sin. This is high on the age day of the Safe Church ministry team. This is long overdue. The inclusion part need to be clearly defined. As it stands it’s not clear. Unless it’s defined in some detail in the charter Indeed they will be given protection and heard like any other complainant. Power relations are one thing that will need to be taken I to account every step of the way.. A very positive ,timeous and significant development which can only be welcomed. May God bless you all in your endeavours in this regard. i agree Xolile. To me this is very vague and could be one of many things and how the reader interprets “inclusion”. This Charter says much but nothing really at all. Thank you for the Bishops concern. However, one needs clarity on the role of Pastoral Code of Conduct in relation to this Safe and inclusive Church. It is correctly pointed out on the preamble of this document that “though we are in the world we are not of the world” We should be constantly reminded the supreme law which is the constitution of the country must not be compromised. Leave a Reply Cancel replyComments are moderated and may take a few days to appear. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Δ
Building a caring and inclusive church is vita for all of us as parishioners. Yet as we are living in the days where the end is approaching. We need to pray and be extremely careful not to accomodate people and live God aside, lets read and respect what the scriptures say. All I am saying is, what the scriptures impose to us as Christians MUST not be compromised for the same of inclusiveness.
Thank you for this. Do you know who is the Safe Church Ministry representative for the Diocese of the Highveld?
It should be clear that apart from giving the abuser pastoral care he should also face the law of the land.
I trust that abuse by any clergy person towards any LGBTI person, not understanding his/her differing sexuality, will also be dealt with and rectified. There are far too many LGBTI folk who have NOT found a safe & loving haven within the Christian community, but in a sense have been vilified by the Church. May God have mercy on us for this sin.
The inclusion part need to be clearly defined. As it stands it’s not clear. Unless it’s defined in some detail in the charter
Indeed they will be given protection and heard like any other complainant. Power relations are one thing that will need to be taken I to account every step of the way..
A very positive ,timeous and significant development which can only be welcomed. May God bless you all in your endeavours in this regard.
i agree Xolile. To me this is very vague and could be one of many things and how the reader interprets “inclusion”. This Charter says much but nothing really at all.
Thank you for the Bishops concern. However, one needs clarity on the role of Pastoral Code of Conduct in relation to this Safe and inclusive Church. It is correctly pointed out on the preamble of this document that “though we are in the world we are not of the world” We should be constantly reminded the supreme law which is the constitution of the country must not be compromised.
