South African Council of Churches

Christian denominations
in South Africa

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) is an interdenominational forum in South Africa. It was a prominent anti-apartheid organisation during the years of apartheid in South Africa. Its leaders have included Desmond Tutu, Beyers Naudé and Frank Chikane. It is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa.

Value Proposition

The South African Council of Churches exists to lead common Christian action that works for moral witness in South Africa, addressing issues of justice, national reconciliation, integrity or creation, eradication of poverty, and contributing towards the empowerment of all those who are spiritually, socially and economically marginalised. [(c) SACC]

Leadership

The SACC is governed by a national conference that meets once every three years. The resolutions of the conference are implemented by a central committee that meets annually. The committee is chaired by either the president or a vice-president of the Council. An executive committee is elected by the central committee and meets at least four times a year. The officers of the Council include a president, vice-presidents, and a general secretary who acts as executive officer .

General Secretaries

[dates need verification]

Presidents

[dates need verification] Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa ( Methodist Church of Southern Africa) 2014+ Current

History of the SACC

1988 bombing of Khotso House

The SACC headquarters at Khotso House in Johannesburg were destroyed by a bomb in 1988. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission later found that State President PW Botha had personally ordered the bombing. Former Minister of Law and Order Adriaan Vlok and several senior policemen applied for and were granted amnesty for the bombing. The bombing party was directed by Eugene de Kock, then commander at Vlakplaas, a secret facility of the security branch of the South African Police force.[1]

Alliance with the ANC

During the anti-apartheid struggle, the SACC was in alliance with liberation movements such as the African National Congress (ANC). In recent times, there have been claims that the ANC has marginalised the Council in favour of Pastor Ray McCauley's National Interfaith Leadership Council which the SACC was excluded from and that there are also tensions between the two organisations.[2][3][4][5] The SACC has also been extremely critical of the ANC for its role in the September 2009 militia attacks on Kennedy Road informal settlement calling for an independent investigation into police inaction and the release of community leaders associated with Abahlali baseMjondolo and the Kennedy Road Development Committee.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. "Amnesty Decision – Khotso House incident (AC/99/0242)". doj.gov.za. 1999. Archived from the original on 30 December 2004. Retrieved 2 November 2006.
  2. "SACC excluded from interfaith council". iol.co.za. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  3. Mataboge, Mmanaledi (18 September 2009). "Why ANC dumped council of churches". mg.co.za. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  4. "ANC, SACC reject claims of tension". mg.co.za. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  5. Sosibo, Kwanele (23 March 2012). "Council of Churches in the wilderness". mg.co.za. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  6. "SACC APPALLED BY VIOLENT ATTACKS AGAINST DEMOCRACY". SACC. Archived from the original on 2009-10-06.
  7. "Democracy Under Attack – A Statement by Bishop Rubin Phillip". Abahlali baseMjondolo.

External links

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