Anglican Communion news - in brief

Canterbury’s sympathy expressed to New Zealand miners families

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has issued a statement of condolence to families, friends and others affected by the death of the twenty-nine miners in an explosion at the Pike River Mine in New Zealand:

"The tragedy that has overtaken the trapped miners in New Zealand has shocked and grieved people the world over, and our hearts go out to their families and friends.  As we remember them and all those close to them in our prayers, we pray too for those who are supporting the bereaved, especially the ministry at Holy Trinity Greymouth.  I hope they will know that they are being upheld across the world, and that they will be representing a great tide of love and sympathy for those whose lives have be ravaged by this disaster."

Concern for Christian sentenced to death in Pakistan

The Archbishop of Canterbury has written to the authorities in Pakistan expressing his deep concern for Asia bibi, a Christian who has been convicted under section 295-C of the Pakistan blasphemy law and sentenced to death.Concerned for Asia bibi's safety, Dr Williams  called for greater security in light of the recent killings by extremists (on court premises) of those accused of blasphemy and hopes that the Government will be able to offer assurances about her security and that of her family and children whilst she continues in custody.

The Archbishop praised the human rights activists, religious leaders and those in the media in Pakistan who have spoken out on this case, as well as the President of Pakistan for taking a direct and personal interest in the matter. He expressed the hope that the President would pardon Asia bibi and lift the death sentence, as well as urging reform and amendment of the legislation as a matter of urgency. 

Asia bibi was in police custody from June 2009 and then sentenced to death on 7th November 2010 under section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code. She is married with two daughters and they are one of three Christian families in a village of more than 1,500.

The Anglican Church of Thailand has ordained its first priest

Archbishop John Chew of Singapore ordained the Rev. Pairoj Phiammattawat to the priesthood at Christ Church, Bangkok, making him the first native priest in the 105-year history of the church’s work in Thailand.

In 1904 King Chulalongkorn donated the land to construct a Protestant church for Western expatriates in the Southeast Asian nation. Constructed in 1905, Christ Church has conducted services in English since its foundation. But in the 1980’s a Thai language ministry was introduced, and work in the Thai deanery of the Diocese of Singapore has expanded to six congregations, three schools, a social services agency, and a university chaplaincy programme

First African bishop in N Malawi

The Diocese of Northern Malawi has consecrated its first African bishop to succeed the Rt. Rev. Christopher Boyle, the last British bishop in Central Africa.

The Rev. Canon Fanuel Emmanuel Chioko Magangani was consecrated by ten bishops of the Church of the Province of Central Africa at a 5 and a half hour service at a football stadium in Mzuzu on Nov 7.  His consecration fills the last vacancy in the House of Bishops of the Church of the Province of Central Africa, which will now permit the province to elect a new primate to replace Archbishop Bernard Malango, who retired in 2007.