Call to prayer from the Bishops in South Carolina

Wife of Anglican priest among those killed in Charleston shooting.

To the Faithful across the Carolinas:

Greetings to you in the matchless Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

As the eyes of the nation turn toward Charleston we commend her to your prayers. Our hearts are crushed by this violent act. Our minds reel as we consider the pain of our brothers and sisters who have lost loved ones—mothers and fathers, children and grandchildren, family and friends—as well as for those who have lost faith and hope from such a senseless act of hatred and insanity. Among those killed was one from our own Anglican family, Myra Thompson, the wife of The Rev’d Anthony Thompson, a priest in the Reformed Episcopal Church.

It is right that you feel sickened and angry. It is right that you struggle to know what to do. We all do. Scripture tells us that in the diminishment or suffering of one the whole church suffers. We are enjoined to weep with those who weep and to mourn with those who mourn. Today, we mourn and we weep with our brothers and sisters at Emmanuel Church and all of Charleston.


Together we shall seek God’s face on how he will have us respond as dioceses, as congregations, and as individual members of the Body of Christ—ambassadors of reconciliation—in this broken and fallen world for which His Son our Savior, Jesus Christ, has died that He might redeem.

Please join us in prayer as we remember:

The families of those killed
The members of Mother Emmanuel AME
The members of our law enforcement and first responders community
The members of the Charleston community

And pray that:

That there would be no further acts of violence
There would be peace in our city
That unity may overcome estrangement
That joy might conquer despair

Lastly, we commend the following prayer to our congregations across the Carolinas:

“O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples and races of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and those who are near: Grant to those who have lost loved ones your hope, comfort and peace; grant to those members of Emmanuel AME Church a sense of your presence; look with compassion on the whole human family here in Charleston and across our nation; show us how to respond to one another’s hurt and suffering; shed abroad your Spirit on those who have lost faith, hope and trust in You and one another; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that in your good time all peoples and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”


Your faithful servants,

The Rt. Rev’d Al Gadsden, Bishop of the Diocese of the Southeast (REC)
The Rt. Rev’d Mark Lawrence, Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina
The Rt. Rev’d Steve Wood, Bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas

Statement on Charleston church shooting from Bishop Mark Lawrence

Charleston, South Carolina

Dear Friends in Christ,

I have spoken to the Rev. Jimmy Gallant, one of our black clergyman and a leader in the Charleston community, earlier this morning in the wake of the horrific shooting at Emmanuel AME Church last evening. Unconfirmed reports have nine dead from the shootings including the pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney. The African American community in Charleston is crushed. The larger community staggers wondering how to respond. Many priests and lay persons in the diocese and elsewhere have contacted me this morning desiring some way to meaningfully respond.

Frankly, our hearts are crushed by this violent act. Our minds reeling as we consider the pain of our brothers and sisters who have lost loved ones—mothers and fathers, children and grandchildren, family and friends—as well as for those who have lost faith and hope from such a senseless act of hatred and insanity. My heart and thoughts also reach out to all our brothers and sisters in Christ in this diocese, especially those of African American descent, as we grieve in the aftermath of this horrific event and from whatever root causes lie beneath it.

I know some of the priests and lay persons from the diocese are planning to attend the prayer service at Morris Brown AME Church today at noon. I too am planning to attend. I humbly request all the clergy and laity in the area attending the prayer service to join me at the Cathedral afterwards at 2 p.m. We shall seek God’s face on how he will have us respond as a diocese, as congregations, and as individual members of the Body of Christ—ambassadors of reconciliation—in this broken and fallen world for which His Son our Savior, Jesus Christ, has died that He might redeem.

Prayer for all involved would seem the primary thing we can offer at this point:

For Emmanuel AME
Their members
The injured
The families and friends of those killed
The community, as it responds to this tragedy
Law enforcement, for a speedy apprehension of the person responsible
Protection from those who would attempt to exploit this crisis
Restraint of further violence in response
For the Church... to be a witness in the midst of this tragedy... to redeem it

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples and races of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and those who are near: Grant to those who have lost loved ones your hope, comfort and peace; grant to those members of Emmanuel AME Church a sense of your presence; look with compassion on the whole human family here in Charleston and across our nation; show us how to respond to one another’s hurt and suffering; shed abroad your Spirit on those who have lost faith, hope and trust in You and one another; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that in your good time all peoples and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Faithfully yours,

The Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence
XIV Bishop of South Carolina

Phil Ashey: Praying for the election of a new Archbishop for ACNA

Canon Phil Ashey offers some helpful insights for praying as the ACNA College of Bishops prepares to meet later this week to elect a new archbishop.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, friends of the Anglican realignment,

The College of Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) will gather to elect a new Archbishop beginning Thursday evening, June 19 and, if necessary, adjourning Sunday evening June 22. I am grateful for the Collect (above) that we have been able to pray during these recent weeks leading up to the election of a leader to succeed Archbishop Bob Duncan. I am also grateful for our Lord’s hand upon the ACNA, its growth under the inspired leadership of Archbishop Duncan, and our opportunity to celebrate both during Provincial meetings June 23-28 at St. Vincent’s College in Latrobe, PA.

There has been much speculation on the blogs regarding the possible candidates for Archbishop, the “handicapping” of their odds to succeed, and politicking for and against certain bishops, etc. I’m going to refrain from any further comment on all that, and to resist any temptation to prognosticate. Instead, I’d like us to take that Collect quite seriously and drill down deeper, asking ourselves the question: “What should we be praying for in a new Archbishop?”

Let me offer some preliminary observations. First, unless you are a bishop you will not be doing the electing. So please pray. Pray for the bishops who will be gathering in conclave to elect. Pray for their discernment. Pray that they will be guided and governed by faith rather than fear. Pray that they will confirm by their ballots the man whom God has already chosen. Pray for the bishops’ unity behind their choice of the man whom God has already chosen from the moment they and we move forward from this election.

Secondly, please try to imagine the job the next Archbishop faces. Among the priorities and challenges he will face is how to help the ACNA become one united Biblical missional Anglican Church in North America. As the Governance Task Force reported to the 2013 Provincial Council meeting at Nashotah House:

“Our guiding principle is our vision: becoming a biblical, missionary and united Anglicanism in North America. This is not only the vision of the Anglican Church in North America—it is the commitment we made to Canterbury and the world as far back as 1994.”[1]

By any measure, this is a tall order. Around it swirl issues and challenges of overlapping jurisdictions/dioceses, how to balance missional flexibility with Anglican order, how to shift the Anglican1000 church planting movement from the Province to Dioceses, long term financial sustainability for growth in both mission and the structures that support mission (at all levels of the Church), strong differences over the place of women in Holy Orders, Eucharistic and Baptismal theology, how to appreciate the catholic, reformed/evangelical and charismatic “streams” without compromising the contribution of each, and how to work effectively with our partners (especially fellow Primates) in the GAFCON movement.

Imagine the quality and competency of leadership these priorities and challenges will require in a new Archbishop. As one bishop quipped “We are asking someone in their right mind to accept a job that no one in their right mind would take.” Lord, have mercy—and empower your servant by the Holy Spirit with every grace he will need to lead!

One last observation before I contribute my list. As I have observed search processes for new Rectors over the years, one common mistake Vestries/Search Committees make is they frame their search wholly in terms of the qualities they find lacking in their retiring rector. This often results in calling someone who had all the qualities their retiring leader lacked—but none of the qualities their retiring leader had that made his leadership successful! Please pray that our bishops will not make that mistake; that they will also look for the same qualities that Archbishop Duncan has that made his leadership successful.

With that in mind, let me humbly offer a list of what you and I should pray for in the man whom the College of Bishops will choose as the next Archbishop of the ACNA:

A leader who PRAYS: We need an Archbishop who has the gift of leadership. That’s a given. But not all leaders have a deep life of prayer and listening. This job requires a leader who will listen to the voice of God above the voices of others—even the best counselors. We have been blessed to have an Archbishop who had such a deep commitment to prayer and listening to the Lord that he took time apart to be with the Lord, to rest and pray and listen to the Lord. The qualities and competencies required of our next Archbishop must come out of this deep, inner life with Christ.

A leader with the gift of FAITH: Every bishop I can think of in the College is faithful. We are blessed with a College of Bishops who stand in the tradition of the Apostles and the faith once delivered. But what our next Archbishop needs is the spiritual gift of faith (I Corinthians 12:9), the supernatural ability to trust God for the future even when it doesn’t look so good in the moment. Every ministry has those days, and the ACNA is no exception. But what we need is a leader who can lower the anxiety level in the system with a calm, non-anxious leadership that flows out of that supernatural ability to trust God for the future. We have been blessed to have such faith in Archbishop Duncan—every day, both when things are looking good and when they’re not looking so good.

A leader with the gift of DISCERNMENT: This too is a spiritual gift (I Corinthians 12:10). Yes, there’s a certain quality of discernment that one can cultivate, a wisdom born of experience. It’s what we teach in our Clergy Leadership Training Institutes about “The Leadership Triangle”: how to accurately diagnose a challenge (technical, strategic or cultural) and so to apply the leadership skills appropriate to that challenge. Misdiagnosis or failure to discern accurately may lead to solutions that make the challenges worse.[2] But there is also a need for supernatural ability to distinguish which spirits are at work in a particular challenge. We need an Archbishop who can cut through the cloud of confusion and acrimony that often surrounds such challenges and conflict with a supernatural ability to see God’s way forward.

A leader who calls on the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: In a culture that is becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity, we need a leader who can call us to a new Pentecost. We need a leader who calls on the power of the Holy Spirit and invites Him into every situation. Whether we are dealing with evangelism, church planting, reaching people who do not yet know Jesus with his transforming love—or the powers and principalities at work in the Anglican Communion hostile to the Gospel—we are dealing with spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians 4:4). Only the Holy Spirit can lift that veil and level the playing field so that our mission can go forward from strength to strength. We need a leader who understands that, who calls upon such Holy Spirit power daily, and who calls us to do the same.

A leader who walks in PEACE: We have a saying in our Clergy Leadership gatherings: ministry doesn’t just include conflict—ministry IS conflict. Archbishop Duncan has faced conflicts of every size and shape, domestically and internationally, every day. But he has also modeled for us what it means to be a leader who walks in peace. A leader who moves toward persons in conflict, not away from them and the conflict. We need a leader who has the same commitment to walk toward others and their conflicts—even and especially with those with whom he may disagree. We need a leader who can be a bridge builder, a reconciler, and a peacemaker, even and especially when doing so makes the leader a target.

A leader who walks in HUMILITY: Humility is the virtue of John the Baptist—being able to decrease in order that Jesus may increase (John 3:30). In order for any leader to remain focused on vision, values and mission, the leader must be one who does not personalize challenge, resistance or conflict. We need an Archbishop who has that quality of humility to keep us focused on the main thing—Jesus and his mission. This virtue has an added blessing: it attracts God’s glory and power, as Andrew Murray observes in Humility:

“Just as water always seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds men abased and empty, His glory and power flow in to exalt and to bless. He that humbles himself—that must be our one care—will be exalted; that is God’s care.”[3]

God grant us a leader who, by abasing and emptying himself, will open the door for the Church to be filled with God’s glory and power.

A leader with VISION: I’ve left this for last not because it is the least important. On the contrary. Any leader must have vision in order for the ministry to experience ever renewed and renewing seasons of growth. But I’m convinced that our next Archbishop will have the vision the Church needs to move forward as a byproduct and fruit of prayer, faith, discernment, calling on the Holy Spirit, and walking in peace and humility. I’m convinced of this because I have seen it in the leadership of ++Robert Duncan. First it was the vision of coming together as the Anglican Communion Network and Common Cause Partners. When that summit was reached, then it was responding to the call at GAFCON 2008 to build the Anglican Church in North America. When that summit was reached, it was the extraordinary call to plant 1000 new churches in 5 years. We haven’t reached that summit yet—but we are well on the way because of a leader who took the time to make those qualities I’ve listed the priorities of his leadership. God-given vision flowed out of it.

God willing, we will have a new Archbishop who has the same qualities and commitments—and even more for the new season ahead of us.

I’m sure I have left out some qualities that we need. But these are the ones from my vantage point that I see as essential. Please join me in praying for them—and for all the bishops meeting June 19-22 who will be seeking such an Archbishop.

Yours in Christ,

Phil+

Litany and Collect for the Election of an Archbishop (ACNA website)

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: Archbishop Akinola kidnapped

Just received from the CANA East Diocese of the Anglican Church of Nigeria through the Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh, the Primate of all Nigeria:

Earlier today the Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola (primate-emeritus) and his driver were kidnapped outside the Peter Akinola Foundation in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Abeokuta is the capital city of Ogun State in southwest Nigeria.

Please pray for their safe and swift release.

UPDATE: It is now being reported that ++Akinola has been rescued. Thanks be to God!

Archbishop Duncan's statement on Typhoon Haiyan

As the news reports of typhoon Haiyan’s aftermath in the Philippines have begun to emerge, the damage and loss of life have been far more significant than many expected. I invite your prayers of comfort for those who have been impacted by this disaster, and your prayers for endurance and protection for those who will care for them in the days ahead.

It is one of the tragic ironies of this storm that the over-abundance of water that created the devastation is now followed by an acute lack of clean drinking water. The Anglican Relief and Development fund and Water Missions have partnered together to provide immediate assistance. I encourage you, your parish, and your diocese to support this work in the week ahead.

Health update on Archbishop Duncan

Please continue to pray for Archbishop Duncan.

On Sunday, October 27th, Archbishop Duncan and his wife Nara safely returned home to Pittsburgh from Nairobi, Kenya.

Over the last few days Archbishop Duncan has continued on the antibiotics that have been helpful in fighting the infection, and he has been consulting with physicians about the next steps of his treatment.

He is in good spirits, and today is resting at home while working on his annual address to the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Please pray for the Archbishop’s continued recovery, and join us in giving thanks for God’s protection and provision over the last couple weeks.

Bishop John-David Schofield, R.I.P.

October 29, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is with a heavy heart but a joyful spirit that I must share with you the passing of our beloved brother, the Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield. Bishop Schofield died peacefully at home sometime last night sitting in his favorite green chair and was found this morning by friends. My heart is heavy because I am selfish and desire my brother by my side, but also joyful because I know that at this moment he has heard the words of our Lord, "Well done good and faithful servant." I can picture +John-David sitting at the banquet table of our Lord with his sister and parents who have gone before him.

As I write this note to you all I am in Rome with my wife, but will be returning home as soon as humanly possible. Dean Carlos Raines has anointed Bp. Schofield and begun the sad task of making funeral arrangements. We have nothing specific to share with you at this moment, but will let you know as soon as possible what the arrangements are for Bp. Schofield's funeral.

God Bless you all!

Bishop Menees

"Oh God whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant John-David, Bishop, and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever." Amen

+++++

STATEMENT FROM ARCHBISHOP ROBERT DUNCAN

Bishop John-David Schofield was a great man of God. I – like so very many others – shall miss him terribly.

His spiritual depth twinned with his unparalleled sense of humor made him one of a kind. The Renaissance poet Dante Alighieri once likened the sound of heaven’s perpetual “Holy, Holy, Holy” to “the laughter of the ages.” With our beloved late Father-in-God now swelling the chorus, there will be more laughter than ever. Ours is the loss. Jesus is our hope. Rest in peace dear friend.

To the faithful of the Diocese of San Joaquin, and to all who grieve in this season, please be assured of my prayers, and of those of all the faithful of the Anglican Church in North America.

The Most Revd Robert Duncan, D.D.
Archbishop, Anglican Church in North America
Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh

Health update on Archbishop Duncan

Press release from the Diocese of Pittsburgh

October 23, 2013

Dear Friends of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh,

Please continue to pray for our Archbishop Robert Duncan. We received word from Nara this morning that he is to have a surgical procedure performed today at 6:00 p.m. Nairobi time – which is 11:00 a.m. here in Pittsburgh (EST). It is hoped that this will enable him to be well enough to return home on Saturday. His Grace will remain recuperating in the hospital until then.

As mentioned yesterday, please continue to pray for all of our friends in the Anglican community who are attending GAFCON, especially those from the Pittsburgh area. Our Diocesan delegates include: Archbishop Duncan, Bishop Frank Lyons, the Rev. Karen Stevenson, Heather Strong Moore and Shawn Reed. Other Pittsburghers attending are Nara Dewar Duncan, Shawnee Lyons, Canon Jack Lumanog, Brad Root, the Rev. Andrew Gross, Canon Nancy Norton, the Rev. Alan Hawkins, the Rev. Justyn Terry, the Rev. John Macdonald and the Rev. Stephen Noll.

We will keep everyone posted and will be on watch for official updates from Andrew Gross, ACNA’s Director of Communications. Again, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Heather Cronin, Director of Communications at communications@pitanglican.org.

Update on Archbishop Duncan

Nairobi, Kenya - During the last week, Archbishop Duncan of the Anglican Church in North America has been fighting an infection that has come as a result of an abscessed tooth.

This morning (October 22nd, 2013), after the current prescription antibiotics were deemed to be insufficient, the Archbishop was attended to by the head of dental surgery at The Nairobi Hospital. Thankfully, The Nairobi Hospital is blessed with an excellent medical facility and staff, treating patients both from Kenya, and the larger East Africa region.

The doctor recommended a round of intravenous antibiotics, and Archbishop Duncan is resting comfortably in a private room with his wife Nara at his side.

Archbishop Duncan thanks you for your prayers, and asks for your continued prayer for the Global Anglican Future Conference.

Archbishop Duncan leaves GAFCON for emergency surgery in U.S.

Update: 21 Oct 2012 22:00 Nairobi Time -- The archbishop's surgery performed by Dr. Glen Petta at a dentist's office in Nairobi was succesful and the archbishop feels well enough to continue with the conference.

Pray for Archbishop Duncan.

The primate of the Anglican Church in North America, the Most. Rev. Robert Duncan has left the Gafcon conference in Nairobi before the start of the first session to undergo emergency dental surgery in the United States.

Archbishop Duncan attended the Sunday Eucharists at All Saints Cathedral and lunched with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, but he reported being in great pain due to a tooth abcess. Dr. Glen Petta, the director of SOMA and a delagate to the conference and a retired dentist, performed emergency surgery to relieve the fluid build up in the abcess, and recommended the archbishop return home immediately for surgery.

Bishop Bill Atwood, Bishop of the International Diocese of the ACNA, told delegates at the Monday dinner of the archbishop's condition and asked for prayers for the archbishop -- and space to allow him a peaceful recovery. With this unexpected illness, the ACNA archbishop will now have missed both Gafcon meetings.

Archbishop of Canterbury calls for week of prayer for hostages and their families

Monday 23 September 2013

I am praying today for all those who remain hostage in a shopping mall in Nairobi, as well as for their families and friends waiting anxiously for news. I’m praying too for their captors, that they would see and understand that hostility and violence will never be allowed to have the last word.

There is nothing new about taking people hostage – and the more innocent the better, as it gets the kidnappers more leverage. The problem is that while initially there is much media coverage, eventually we forget the victims: they disappear first from the front page, then from any page, and finally even from memory.

I have been reminded of this by the stories from Camp Ashraf in Iraq. Until recently it was a refugee camp holding members of the Iranian opposition, among others. Conditions have been very bad. In the very recent past it was raided, a significant number of people were killed and a number of others disappeared into captivity.

In Syria, kidnapping has become a normal part of pressure on communities. In April, two Metropolitan bishops of Aleppo – Mar Gregorios Ibrahim of the Syriac Orthodox Church and Paul Yazigi of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch – were kidnapped, and their driver was killed, while they were on a humanitarian mission. Since then a Jesuit priest, Fr Paolo D’Oglio SJ, has also been taken.

It’s a form of terror that is calculated to undermine the morale of those close to the people who disappear. Circumstances in wars are never simple; Camp Ashraf has a very controversial history. But that is not the point. Justice is always transparent; the use of kidnap and absence of due process is always obscure. Hostages go into the darkness so that fear spreads among their friends and families.

What can we do? First we ought to pray. Prayers are effective, as we saw with the release of Archbishop Ignatius Kattey of Nigeria last week. Many of those released speak of the peace that came from prayer. Prayer says we are in solidarity with the victims of injustice. It does not say the victims are perfect, but that we stand with those suffering the injustice.

We can show – where we have links to the situation – that we care. No-one can support all victims of injustice; but where we are aware, we ought to show it matters.

So make this a week of prayer for hostages, remembering especially those from Camp Ashraf and those in Syria – and the people of Nairobi.

We cannot pretend to understand all the complexities of the situation. But we know that such acts of hostage-taking, kidnapping or extra-judicial killing are always wrong.

Justin Welby

Archbishop Duncan issues call to prayer for Kenya and Pakistan

“If one member suffers, all suffer together.” ~ I Corinthians 12:26

In the wake of the terrorist attacks that have befallen our brothers and sisters in both Kenya and Pakistan over the last few days, I call upon our members to pray for the victims and their families as they walk through this dark valley of death’s shadow. Let us also pray that all people everywhere might be delivered from the scourge of terrorism, and that our God would turn the hearts of those who are tempted to use such violence to achieve their purposes.

Over the last decade, the connections between our global fellowship of churches have grown all the stronger so that when tragic events such as these take place, our thoughts move beyond the headlines, and to the faces and names of our beloved friends. In the past, we have had many occasions for joy. Today is a day to grieve, pray, and suffer with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is in moments like these that our unity is most important.

In the Anglican Church in North America some of us have known first hand what it is like to live through terrorist attacks. Today, for our Kenyan and Pakistani friends, going into the marketplace or attending worship become acts of courage. Pray that they will know the presence of the Good Shepherd by their side, and be comforted by the assurance of His rod and His staff.

Archbishop Robert Duncan
Anglican Church in North America

Psalter: Psalm 77, 79

Lessons for Monday in 19 Pentecost: 2 Kings 5:1-19, 1 Corinthians 4:8-21, Matthew 5:21-26

Collect of the Day

Grant us, Lord, not to anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things which are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

BREAKING: Archbishop Kattey released

Let us praise God for the safe return of Archbishop Kattey!

Most Reverence Ignatius Kattey,Archbishop of the Niger Delta North Diocese of the Anglican Church,who was recently kidnapped by some gunmen, has been released according to the police.

Kattey was taken hostage about a week ago, minutes after he drove out of his residence at Eleme.

According to Vanguard News, Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, DSP Angela Agabe, in a telephone chat, said the cleric had been freed.

It could not be confirmed if any ransom was paid. Sunday Vanguard gathered that the archbishop was released at Eleme.

Archbishop of Canterbury calls for prayer kidnapped Archbishop Kattey

 

From Lambeth Palace

Archbishop Justin has called on the church to pray for the kidnapped Nigerian archbishop Ignatius Kattey.

The Most Revd Ignatius Kattey, who is Dean of the Province and Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, was seized last Friday near his residence in the southern city of Port Harcourt.

In a statement today, the Archbishop described the kidnapping as 'deeply shocking', and called on the church to pray for Archbishop Kattey, along with the people and leaders of Nigeria.

He said: "The kidnapping of Archbishop Kattey is deeply shocking for all those who pray for and love the people and country of Nigeria.

"Throughout the church let us pray for him, his family, for His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Primate if the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), and for the government and people of Nigeria."

In a prayer, the Archbishop asked God to 'uphold [Abp Kattey] in courage and faith' and 'bring him again to be with his family and friends in joy and freedom'.

Read Archbishop Justin's prayer:

Heavenly Father, whose love is limitless and grace without measure, you have called us to share in the suffering of those in persecution and great trouble. We pray for the nation of Nigeria, for its leaders and people. Grant them wisdom in the trials they face and bring them again to peace and security. We pray especially for Archbishop Kattey in the Niger Delta. Uphold him in courage and faith. Enable him to know your love, and bring him again to be with his family and friends in joy and freedom. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for our liberation and who is our peace. Amen.

"Almighty eternal God . . . hear the cries of the people of Syria"

A prayer for the people of Syria, from the USCCB website:

Almighty eternal God, source of all compassion,
the promise of your mercy and saving help fills our hearts with hope.
Hear the cries of the people of Syria;
bring healing to those suffering from the violence,
and comfort to those mourning the dead.
Empower and encourage Syria’s neighbors
in their care and welcome for refugees.
Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,
and strengthen the resolve of those committed to peace.

O God of hope and Father of mercy,
your Holy Spirit inspires us to look beyond ourselves and our own needs.
Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence
and to seek reconciliation with enemies.
Inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria,
and fill us with hope for a future of peace built on justice for all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.

Nigeria: Archbishop Kattey kidnapped

Please pray for Archbishop Kattey's safe return.

Most Rev Ignatius Ogboru Kattey, the Dean, ArchBishop and Bishop of Niger Delta North Anglican Communion of Nigeria, was last night kidnapped by yet to be identified gunmen in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State.

The abduction happened at about 11.30pm Friday night.

The clergyman, along with his wife, Beatrice was captured on Aleto bridge,Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, but the wife was later found abandoned in their car.

The whereabouts of the archbishop remains unknown.

Sources said the Archbishop and the wife were driving to Port Harcourt late on Friday to beat the traffic restrictions Saturday morning, occasioned by the monthly environmental Sanitation. Unknown to them, the exercise would not hold because of the GCE-WAEC examination taking place today.

Rivers State has been experiencing a rising tide of insecurity since Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu was posted to the state.

Just last week, Felix Igwe, Commissioner for Sports was shot by unidentified gunmen around Eleme Inter-Change,Eleme axis of Port Harcourt and he is receiving treatment.

In the hierarchy of the Anglican Communion, ArchBishop Kattey who was made a Dean of Anglican Communion in Nigeria about a year ago,is next to the Primate,Most Rev.Nicholas Okoh.

Most Rev. Ignatius Crosby Ogborun kattey (Justice of the Peace) was born in the small Nchia Town called Alode in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on 23 August, 1948. His father was Chief Amos Kattey who was himself a devout Christian, church leader, produce merchant, trader, farmer and Government Recognized Second Class Traditional Ruler of Nchia Kingdom. His mother was Mrs. Margaret Ada Kattey.

He attended St. Paul’s Catholic School Obigbo (now Oyigbo) from 1954 to 1959. For his secondary education, he attended the National High School Aba and graduated with a Grade One in West African School Certificate Examination.

He had his university education at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (beehive of Academic excellence) where he graduated in Mechanical Engineering in 1976.

Arch. Bishop Kattey was born-again in 1971 through the ministry of the Scripture Union. He is the Chairman, All Anglican Clergy Conference of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and also the Chairman of Christian Council of Nigeria, South South Area Council.

Bishop Youssef issues statement on Christians in Egypt

COLLEYVILLE, TX. August 16, 2013 -- A statement from H.G. Bishop Youssef regarding the Christians in Egypt.

We entreat God of all compassion and Lord of all consolations to look from heaven upon Egypt and to protect her from these times of tribulation encountered by the most horrific beatings and killings of Christians, the sabotage of Christian businesses, and the desecration and burnings of churches throughout Egypt. The world is witnessing the most deplorable bloodshed of Christians, who are relentlessly being attacked in the most vicious and barbaric manner on a day-to-day basis. Since August 14, 2013 till now, more than sixty churches were burned, innocent victims suffered broken bones, and callous murders continue to be vent upon the Christians of Egypt.

These events began long ago, but reached a peak after June 30, 2013, when the Egyptian people, Muslims before Christians, made their voices known on the issues regarding the Egyptian president and demanded that he vacate his office of the presidency in peace. This was the will of the people, a nation that has strived for democracy and courageously declared their voices to be heard for his impeachment. Demonstrations throughout Egypt were peaceful until his supporters decided to retaliate and deliberately poured out their vengeance upon the already indigenous Christians who comprise merely one-tenth of the population. The Coptic Christians have never incited any violence toward anybody. To what avail are these lethal attacks? How can such atrocious barbarian tactics be justified by any religion or any civil nation?

On behalf of the innumerable amount of Coptic Christians incessantly subjected to inhumane treatment, violence, and slaughter, and their livelihood being ripped away from them by the destruction of their churches, businesses, belongings, and their own lives, we implore God to have mercy upon Egypt, to protect our country from the escalating aggression against her Christians, to help stabilize this country for peace, and protect the Christians from their day-to-day mangling, as He promised, "Blessed is Egypt My people..." (Isaiah 19:25).

The time has come, my beloved brothers and sisters, faithful in the Lord and good citizens of the earth, to come together in humble prayer. Let us reach out to our friends, colleagues, and neighbors who have been outraged by these ungodly events. Let us continue to love and educate the world about our strong and unwavering Christian faith. Let us remain confident in the promises of our Lord to protect His children,"For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.'" (Zechariah 2:8).

Pray for all in Egypt.

Bishop Youssef
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern

Christian leaders in Egypt need our prayers

Kidnapped Metropolitans still missing in Syria

In case, you have forgotten (and, due to scant Western media coverage, you may have) . . .

July 30 marked 100 days since Metropolitans Paul of Aleppo (The Orthodox Church of Antioch) and Mar Gregory Johanna Ibrahim of Aleppo (the Syriac Church) were kidnapped in Syria; however their fate and whereabouts remain unknown.
The kidnappers have not announced their demands and nobody has taken responsibility for the kidnapping as yet. It is not known either whether the Metropolitans are dead or alive, perhaps suffering under tortures, reports Romphea.

The heads and representatives of local Orthodox Churches who gathered for the celebration of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia expressed their regret over the absence of Patriarch John X of Antioch from the solemnities: "We express our solidarity with His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Great Antioch and All East who has not been able to share with us the joy of today's celebration, as he had to stay with his flock at this very difficult moment. Our prayers are with him and with our brothers in Christ who are being slain every day (Romans 8:36).

“We are grieving together with all the suffering people of Syria. We demand the immediate liberation of the leading Christian Hierarchs of Syria who were kidnapped by militants as far back as in April—Metropolitan Paul of Aleppo and Iskenderun and Syriac Metropolitan Mar Gregory Johanna Ibrahim of Aleppo".

Please continue to pray for these brave men of God.

Archbishop Duncan issues call to prayer for Christians in Egypt

TO ALL THE FAITHFUL OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA:

Archbishop Mouneer Anis has been a friend of the Anglican Church in North America from our beginning, and before. He is a Global Trustee of the Anglican Relief and Development Fund. The situation in Egypt is “on the edge.” Please pray for Archbishop Mouneer, his family, his clergy, his people, for Pope Tawadros II, for the Coptic Church and for Egypt. Ask the Lord to intervene. (He has a history of intervening in Egypt!)

Thank you for your charity and your faithfulness in responding to this call to prayer.

And remember to give thanks for the freedoms and security we enjoy as both Canada Day and Independence Day are celebrated.

Faithfully in Christ,

+Robert Pittsburgh
Archbishop and Primate
Anglican Church in North America

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STATEMENT FROM ARCHBISHOP MOUNEER ANIS
27 June 2013

My dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The situation in Egypt is very serious. I do not know where this situation will take us. I feel that Egypt is at the verge of violent demonstrations, another revolution, or civil war. We do not know what is going to happen, but we know that we are at the edge of something drastic.

One year ago Dr. Mohammed Mursi became the President of Egypt, following 11 months of turbulence in the socio-economic and political situation in Egypt. Many had hoped that Egypt would move forward for the better however things became worse and are now very difficult. Egyptians became divided between Islamists and non-Islamists. A constitution that was written and approved in haste was one of the main reasons for these divisions. Other reasons were the exclusion of moderates and non-Islamists from participation in the political life, and the appointment of Islamists as ministers in the Cabinet and other prominent posts.

These divisions led to instability, a lack of security, and many demonstrations which in turn badly affected the economy and tourism. People started to complain from the rise of food prices, the frequent power cuts, the sectarian clashes, and lately the lack of fuel. Two weeks ago there were demonstrations in several governorates in objection to the appointment of new governors who are known Islamists. A new movement called, “tamarrod” or “Rebellion” was formed last April and they called for massive demonstrations against the President and the government on the 30th of June. They claim to have gathered the signatures of 15 million supporters.

One week ago the Islamists made big demonstrations in support of the President. They warned the supporters of “tamarrod” against demonstrating on the 30th of June. “Anyone who will sprinkle water at the President will be sprinkled with blood,” said one of the supporters of the President. This means that there will be bloodshed if people try to force the President to step down.

Some Islamists also threatened the Christians if they participated in the demonstrations. Others produced a fatwa saying that those who would demonstrate are “kafiroon” or “godless” and deserve to be fought against. The Grand Imam of Al Azhar stated that, “anyone can demonstrate to express his or her views and this has nothing to do with faith.” His Holiness, Pope Tawadros II, of the Coptic Orthodox Church said, “everyone is free to express his or her views.”

Yesterday, in an attempt to calm the situation, the President delivered a 2.5 hour speech. Unfortunately, the speech stirred the people even more. Demonstrations started yesterday at Tahrir Square and in the Province of Mansoura where dozens were injured and two people were killed. Now the military tanks have started to move in to protect the important sites.

What is going to happen on the 30th of June? We do not know. All what we know is that when emotions run high, anything can happen. However, we trust that God is in control and we are in His hands. Two days ago during his visit to Egypt, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, encouraged us by using St. Paul’s words, while in the middle of a storm, “But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost” (Acts 27:22a).

I am writing this to request your prayers for Egypt and for the people of Egypt.

May the Lord bless you.

+ Mouneer Egypt
The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis
Bishop of the Episcopal / Anglican Diocese of Egypt
with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
President Bishop of the Episcopal / Anglican
Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East