The Central Committee of the SACC met 11-12 July 2006 in Johannesburg around the theme: "Toward Abundant Life: Accelerating and Sharing Growth?" The Council's annual meeting enabled its 26 member churches to discuss shared concerns about the socio-economic state of the nation. The Church Leaders Forum also met in conjunction with the Central Committee.

In his opening address to delegates, the Council's President, Prof. Russel Botman, discussed the importance of respect for human dignity. He observed that "poverty constitutes an unrelenting assault on human dignity" and urged churches to use tools such as the World Alliance of Reformed Churches' "Confession of Faith on Economic Justice" to engage economic policy from a theological perspective. He also encouraged the deepening of partnerships with government, business and civil society to ensure that the fruits of economic growth are fairly shared in order to eradicate poverty.

Mr JP Landman, a member of the President's Economic Advisory Committee, also addressed the Central Committee. Mr Landman assessed 25 years of South African economic history, lauding government's Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) policy as the basis for the high levels of growth the country is currently experiencing. He claimed that the Reconstruction and Development Programme had been 'ahead of its time' when initially launched, but that the fiscal discipline GEAR enforced made possible the rapid expansion of social grants after 2001.

The Central Committee mandated churches and the SACC to increase their engagement with government around the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGI-SA). This would entail identifying opportunities within ASGI-SA for pastoral or priestly support and engagement and seeking spaces for the participation of the local church, especially youth and women. Some of the areas identified for possible collaboration include: skills development and education, roll out of the extended public works programme and improving the State's capacity to deliver.

The Central Committee also affirmed the need for ongoing critical reflections on the values underpinning ASGI-SA. In particular, the delegates felt that there is a need to delink the moral obligation to share resources broadly, and especially with the poor, from the success of measures to promote economic growth. Sharing, which represents an application of Christian spirituality and African values, can and should be done even with the little that is available.

The Central Committee expressed profound concern about the alarming tendency of individuals, groups and nations to see violence as an acceptable way to achieve their ends. In his remarks, Prof. Botman characterised violence as an affront to human dignity that is at odds with the Christian calling to respect and strengthen the dignity of all people. He called on churches to develop an ecumenical response to the wave of violent crime that has beset South Africa. He challenged the SACC's members to distinguish between fear and fact, to explore ways of using preparations for the 2010 World Cup to build respect for human dignity, and to minister to victims of violent crime.

In response, the Central Committee urged that churches focus on issues of violence during August, which is traditionally recognised as a Month of Compassion in many denominations. The Council was asked to develop relevant pastoral, liturgical and biblical resources to assist churches in this regard. The Central Committee also mandated the Council's National Executive Committee to setup a task team to develop strategies to combat violence and to resuscitate the nation's Moral Regeneration Movement. The meeting situated these efforts within the Decade to Overcome Violence campaign of the World Council of Churches launched in Johannesburg in 2001.

Churches also expressed outrage over recent incidents of political violence in the Middle East and South Asia. The Central Committee reaffirmed its support for the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) and all other non-violent approaches to the resolution of the crisis. It extended sympathy and solidarity to the families of those affected by the series of bombs in Mumbai, India, that have left nearly 200 dead and hundreds more injured.

The Central Committee noted the ongoing developments in Zimbabwe. It reiterated its view that best way forward is through an ongoing ministry of presence. The Council's involvement with this and other programmes elsewhere on the continent, should take place through the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC). The Central Committee will ask the AACC to facilitate a process of strengthening the capacity of ecumenical bodies in Zimbabwe and in the region to work for the resolution of the impasse.

In view of the challenges facing Rwanda with regard to the promotion of national reconciliation, the Central Committee undertook to forge working links between churches in Rwanda and RSA through the "Ibandla lami lingelakho" Campaign.

The Central Committee recognised the valuable role played by the local churches in facilitating home based care, but it called for such activities to be driven by a spirit of care and compassion, rather than by stipends. The Central Committee was also concerned by the absence of visible political and religious leadership in tackling the AIDS epidemic. The delegates raised questions about the lack of accountability by donor agencies with respect to issues of technical support.

In addition to its business sessions, the Central Committee held a worship service and dinner to bid farewell to the former General Secretary, Dr Molefe Tsele, and to install formally the new General Secretary, Mr. Eddie Makue, who was appointed by the NEC in March. Prof. Botman described Dr. Tsele as an astute socio-political analyst and profound theologian who is driven by his vocation. In his sermon at the new General Secretary's service of induction, Dr Mongezi Guma urged Mr Makue not to walk alone, but constantly to seek God's accompaniment in the journey ahead.

For more information, contact: Mr. Eddie Makue (082 853 8781)