Tonight the PCC of St Barnabas Eltham met to discuss a motion about Zimbabwe. We aim to use the Anglican system of democracy to raise an issue for discussion at General Synod of the Church of England. The route between the parish the General Synod is long and nothing is guaranteed.
However our new PCC discussed a motion for reference to the Deanery Synod (the first step in the process) and it was passed nem con. It calls upon the Deanery Synod to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe. To refer the issue to the Southwark Diocesan Synod for further discussion and reference to the General Synod. The goal is not merely to 'study and reflect' on Zimbabwe, our feeling is that we know enough about the situation. The goal is to identify some active steps that will help to add pressure for change in Zimbabwe.
It would be appropriate if the Anglican Communion, perhaps in the shape of the Archbishops, found the courage to make an unambiguous statement about the present situation in Zimbabwe. A declaration that the present situation cannot be morally justified would be a beginning. It would send a signal to Christians in Zimbabwe, if nothing else, that the present position is unacceptable and that the wider church supports them in their plight.
I hope that it may be so over the coming months, but we will see...
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