Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, quoting from the Scriptures, has urged warring factions within the St John's Apostolic Faith Mission Church of South Africa, to unite and bury a hatchet that has divided them for the past 30 years.

Paraphrasing a passage from St Paul's First Letter to the Church in Corinth, Shilowa said: "If you say you are the body of Christ made up of different parts, what should be clear to you is that the unity of the church is dependent on each member contributing equally to the creation of unity and peace which you as the St John’s Apostolic Church are seeking to achieve."

Shilowa, who was addressing St John's Apostolic Faith Mission Church at a reconciliation meeting facilitated by the South African Council of Churches and held at the Council's headquarters at Khotso House, Johannesburg, yesterday, said the divisions and conflicts that have seen the church property vandalized and life threatening violence being unleashed, reflected badly and negatively on the church with such a glorious past.

"These divisions are not unique to the Church. These are problems of governments as well. We encounter them. Some within us prefer one leader above another because people tend to have an inkling of where their bread is buttered. The leadership of the church is not about us - it must be about the people we have been called to serve. For as long as our allegiance is not to God, but to the church leadership, these splits and disagreements will continue to haunt us," said Shilowa.

The South African Council of Churches has been tasked with the responsibility of facilitating peace and unity talks among various factions with St John's Apostolic Faith Mission Church. Head of the SACC's Reconciliation and Healing Unit Canon Reverend Luke Pato said: "This process is going to be slow. We are trying to be cautious, and to painstakingly ensure that everyone affected by conflict and dispute is on board. But there is hope that there will be a celebration to mark an end to hostilities and conflicts within the St John's Apostolic Faith Mission Church."

The Church dispute -which has been identified as related to a problem of succession - dates back to the 1970s during the leadership of the late Archbishop Petrus Masango and the late Mother Nku, founder member of the Church. It has continued ever since, occasionally violently, posing a serious threat to unity.

For more information: Canon Reverend Luke Pato (083 357 3961)