RECENT MISSION NEWS
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Russian-Georgian war brings inter-Orthodox struggles
Two monasteries of Georgian Orthodox monks and nuns in the Upper Kodori Gorge, captured by Abkhaz forces from Georgian forces in mid-August, are being pressured by the Abkhaz Orthodox Church to change their jurisdiction. "They must submit to the authority of our Church or leave Abkhazia," the head of the Abkhaz Orthodox Church, Fr Vissarion Aplia, who visited the onks and nuns within days of the fighting, told Forum 18 News Service. Asked who had given him the right to pressure members of a different religious jurisdiction to submit to his authority, Fr Aplia responded angrily: "It's not your business. It's our territory." Since the expulsion of a Georgian Orthodox priest in April, the two monasteries are the only remaining Georgian Orthodox institutions left in Abkhazia.
Religious violence continues in India
Thousands of people, most of them Christians, have sought shelter in makeshift government camps in eastern India, driven from their homes by religious violence that has killed at least 13 people this week. In the state of Orissa Hindu mobs burnt more than a dozen churches and attacked Christians after a Hindu leader was killed.
Thirty armed and masked men attacked Vishwa Hindu Parishad Leader Swami Laxmanananda Sarswati’s Ashram. They indiscriminately shot at the gathering on the eve of Krishna Jayanti, the birthday of Krishna, killing the aged leader and four of his followers. A Maoist group named, the People’s Liberation Revolutionary Group, has claimed responsibility for the killings but Hindu leaders say Christian groups are behind the attack in the district.
These attacks follow the murder of Father Thomas Pandippallyil, the Catholic priest whose body was found in Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh the previous Sunday. (Faith2Share members can read a report from Pastor Purna Sagar Nag here)
Road Accidents continue as top risk for mission personnel
With the death of three TEAM mission workers in Chad this month mission leaders are again emphasising the need for caution in road travel. Although personal attacks and kidnap attract media attention the most significant killer of mission personnel continues to be road accidents. Ironically one of those killed in Chad this month had only just returned to his normal work after nearly six months as a translator for the team which successfully won the release of another TEAM missionary, Steve Godbold, who was taken hostage last year. Rudiger Nöh, Kathrin Wilkins and Sandra Smetak, all of German origin, were killed in a two-vehicle collision in Chad.
Church aids refugees in Georgia
As the world comes to terms with the changed geopolitical situation following the recent conflict in South Ossetia churches in the region are seeking to minister to the bereaved, injured and displaced communities. Even whilst the conflict was taking place, the leader of Zarebi, a Georgian Orthodox mission movement, travelled to Gori and other effected areas to bring relief. One result (shown here) was the baptism of several new believers. The head of the Georgian Baptist Church has also shared his reflections with us and appeals for humanitarian support. Faith2Share members can read his report here.
Pittsburg Bishop to lead UK mission agency
It was announced today that Bishop Henry Scriven, Assistant Bishop in the diocese of Pittsburg, USA, is to lead the South American Mission Society (GB) in succession to Bill Lattimer. Bishop Henry has known South America since 1980 when he and his wife became SAMS-GB missionaries in Salta, Northern Argenina. After a period as Associate Rector in Arkansas, USA, Henry and his wife returned to mission service in Spain from 1984 to 1995. As Suffragon Bishop of the Church of England Diocese in Europe from 1995 to 2002 Henry worked closely with several mission agencies who at that time were developing their work in Eastern and Western Europe - Intercon, Church Mission Society, SAMS and others. Bishop Henry will take up his new post in January 2009 at a time when SAMS-GB are considering a closer working relationship with CMS (Britain). He will be based at the CMS offices in Oxford, UK. For the official press release click here.
Mission to Georgian and Russian refugees
Conflict between Russia and Georgia has left many dead and thousands more have fled as refugees. Churches have been badly damaged. Even whilst hostilities continue Christian groups on both sides seek to bring relief to the suffering. In Georgia the leader of a CMS partner agency has travelled to the conflict region to minister to those effected. Orthodox and Baptist churches on both sides are praying for peace.
Senior Vice President of Russian Ministries Sergey Rakhuba says they have workers in the region. He says they're located in Vladikavkoz. "We have a ministry center that is reaching out to all those neighboring provinces, including South Ossetia. This is a huge catastrophe for so many people. About 2,000 people are killed. There are about 30,000 refugees."
Kenyan Mission leader appointed to lead New Zealand CMS
It was announced this week that Rev. Steve Maina, an experienced mission leader and Bible teacher from Kenya is to become the next General Secretary of New Zealand CMS. Steve is already well known within the Faith2Share network as the leader of Church Army Africa, also a Faith2Share member agency, and as an international conference speaker. In his work with Church Army, and previously as a church pastor in Nairobi, Steve has promoted the role of mission within the life of the church and fostered international partnerships in mission. He is a part-time lecturer at Daystar University, Carlile College and the Nairobi Graduate School of Theology. Steve is expected to take up his new post in February 2009. This will be the first time that the major Anglican mission agency in New Zealand has been led by an African Christian leader.
Faith leaders at Mexico HIV/AIDS Conference
Christian leaders and leaders of other faith communities are making a major contribution to the International, UN sponsored, HIV/AIDS Conference taking place in Mexico this week. Lutheran bishop, Mark Hanson, began his presentation by washing the feet of a woman suffering from HIV/AIDS. As well as recognising the lead given by churches in fighting AIDS internationally there is also some criticism of religious groups who have issued confused messages regarding safe sexual practice. To see full reports of the conference as they are posted each day click here.
Lambeth bishops focus on mission and unity
As Anglican bishops from around the world come to their last day together in Canterbury at the Lambeth Conference the draft of their 'Reflections' document has become available. This major document which reflects the conversational style of this year's meeting, has 12 major sections. The first of these is on Mission and Evangelism, the bishops saying, "As Anglicans, we value the “five marks of mission”, which begin with the preaching of the Gospel and the call to personal conversion, but which embrace the whole of life: we would wish to see increased emphasis on ecumenism, peace-making and global mutuality as integral parts of God’s mission. Mission is a rich and diverse pattern faithful to the proclamation of the Reign of God in Christ Jesus; a proclamation which touches all areas of life."
Other sections on Human and Social Justice and the Environment are followed by those on Human Sexuality and the proposed Anglican Covenant. To view the full document members can click here.