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CAPA Issues Communique

CAPA Issues Communique

https://www.scribd.com/document/321284360/CAPA-Communique-August-2016
August 16, 2016

COUNCIL OF ANGLICAN PROVINCES OF AFRICA (CAPA)
12TH GENERAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
KIGALI, RWANDA, AUGUST 2016

Communique

We, the delegates representing the Provinces of Burundi, Central Africa, DR Congo, the Diocese of Egypt, Indian Ocean, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Africa, South Sudan and Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and West Africa of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa gathered at Great Seasons Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda between 6th and 10th August 2016 for the twelfth General Meeting of the Council under the chairmanship of the Most Rev. Bernard Ntahoturi, and under the theme: "Releasing our potential to realize our possibilities", hereby issue this communique:-

1. We have met as representatives of the Anglican Provinces of Africa to affirm our oneness in the Body of Christ. Through prayer, Bible exposition, celebration and reflection, the time together helped us to renew our commitment to individual and collective witness to Christ in our respective contexts on the continent. We also took the time to reflect on what has been achieved since the last Council meeting even as we seek to reach forward.

2. We had an opportunity to fellowship with brothers and sisters of the Province of Rwanda as we celebrated the Eucharist together at St. Etienne Cathedral. We deeply appreciate the warm welcome and hospitality extended to us by the Primate of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, the Most. Rev. Onesphore Rwaje; the Bishop of Kigali, The Rt. Rev. Loius Muvunyi and the local organizing committee. We are also thankful for the words of welcome and inspiration expressed by the Minister for Local Government, The Hon. Francis Kaboneka on behalf of the Government of Rwanda

3. We congratulate the Government and people of Rwanda for the tremendous progress they have made in forging unity and in transforming their infrastructure and quality of life.

4. We welcomed the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Office, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon and his call for the Church in Africa to rise up to the challenges of our time by drawing on their rich cultural and spiritual heritage and set the pace for the Anglican Communion. We reaffirmed our commitment to uphold the Lambeth Conference Resolution 1:10 on Human Sexuality. We also welcomed Dr. Joseph Mulatya Mutei, the Executive Director of PROCUMURA and his enlightenment on the trends of religious radicalization and extremism in Africa. The members were greatly blessed by the biblical reflections led by Rev. Canon Richard Mayabi, the General Secretary of Church Army Africa and his call for the Provinces to develop strategies that will enable them to grow the Church.

5. Looking back over the life of the CAPA strategic period that ran from 2012-2015, we celebrate the achievements and successes in the Formation of Compassionate and Accountable Leadership, Community Health and HIV AIDS, Healing, Forgiveness and Renewal for a Just and Peaceful Society, Advancement of Critical Theological Reflection and Action and New Frontiers of Advocacy and Discernment.

6. We feel energized by the unfolding Strategic direction that will guide our activities over the next 5 years and particularly its focus on intentional discipleship, transforming parishes into centres of knowledge and empowerment and engagement with centres of influence.

7. We welcome the launching of CAPA Commissions as a framework for maximizing on the professional capacities within the Church to strengthen the diverse aspects of the Church's mission

8. We noted with appreciation the impact of approaches like Umoja and Farming God's Way and are committed to their further spread among our congregations.

9. We are deeply concerned that as a continent, we are yet to achieve sustainable peace in spite of the significant changes we have witnessed in technology, business and regional integration. We decry the numerous lives lost and futures and hopes destroyed in meaningless wars. We took to heart the challenge from the Minister for Local Government of Rwanda, Hon. Francis Kaboneka who observed that the continent is deeply wounded and needs healing and challenged us to use our influence to contribute to building cohesive, peaceful and thriving communities in Africa.

10. We are increasingly concerned that Human Trafficking and modern slavery is adversely affecting the human capital of the continent and putting Africa's people in situations that undermine their human dignity. We took the challenge to use our influence and structures to contribute to the ending of this outflow of Africa's people and to advocate for security and favourable environments in the continent for job creation.

11. Recognizing the threats present due to the ideology of fundamentalism and radicalism, we resolved that this should not paralyze us from engaging with radicalized groups but rather take this as an opportunity to renew our calling and deepen our commitment to being the Light and the Salt. We call upon our Theological Colleges to work concertedly on developing resources that will enable the church to respond more appropriately to the emerging pastoral challenges.

12. We acknowledged and affirmed the efforts towards greater investment in the youth and children of the continent even as CAPA and the Province of Kenya prepare to host the Youth Congress in 2017 with a view of creating a platform for effective engagement with the youth

13. The continuing mis-investment in weapons of war at the expense of productive sectors like Agriculture, Social Services, job creation and research into initiatives that will enable communities mitigate the effects of Climate Change and food insecurity is of major concern to us.

14. We noted with sadness, our failure to respond effectively to humanitarian needs in our regions caused by wars, famine and floods. We are committed to adopting Disaster Risk Reduction strategies that will enable us to respond more effectively in partnership with other relevant organizations including the Anglican Alliance

15. We appreciated the urgent need to carry out a census of our membership in every Province in order to appreciate the task we have in hand and inform our planning for outreach. Every Province commits to undertake this task.

16. We recognize the continuing need to harness our diversities to tackle the existing missional challenges on the continent. We resolved to walk together, and especially with our brothers and sisters in South Sudan and other countries that are currently experiencing political strife. We call on the Leadership of South Sudan to bring the fighting to an end and firmly commit to sustainable peace.

17. We elected the Most Rev. Albert Chama as the Chairman, The Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali as the Vice Chairman.

18. We look forward to God's continued blessing as we continue to collaborate as the
African Anglican family to grow the Church and enable the continent to realize all its aspirations.

CAPA Chairman
The Most Rev. Bernard Ntahoturi
9th August 2016

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