06 February 2025
Rectors/Priests-In-Charge/Assistant Priests/Deacons/Churchwardens/Chapelwardens and Organizational Leaders
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefor we will not fear” Psalm 46:1
Kind epiphany greetings to all.
The last couple of days saw the delivery of the Report by the Panel tasked to Investigate the relationship between Mr. John Smyth and the Anglican Church of Southern Africa,
which was made available to our clergy for study and glean from its possible ways of strengthening Safeguarding measures in our Church. Your Grace Archbishop Thabo Makgoba today Tuesday 04 February released a press statement in which the archbishop made some recommendations for Parishes and Dioceses to consider for implementation to the same end and I wish to bring this to your attention for your information and action.
What follows are some direct extracts and some paraphrasing of the sentiments and instructions issued in the statement by Your Grace The Most Reverend Dr. Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Arica.
Your Grace, the Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan, requested that these be implemented as a matter of urgency.
1. “We in line with the recommendation request every Parish to nominate one or more members for training as Safe Church Officers. These could be parishioners, and no special skill is required although some investigative skill may be advantageous. Training will be provided, and we will galvanise our Diocesan Safeguarding Officers to liaise with their Provincial counterparts to facilitate such training. It is furthermore
recommended that the name, surname and contact details of Safe Church Officers so identified be published in Pew Leaflets, other forms of communication or posted on noticeboards for ease of access. We will appreciate the details of the nominated person or persons being submitted to our secretary by no later than Friday 14 February 2025 at the end of business.
2. I as your chief shepherd, servant and leader hereby make inquiry about persons previously accused of any kind of abuse in our church whether it be within or outside of our tenure as Bishop to determine if appropriate action was taken and that the person if in current ministry was licensed in line with current standards of Safeguarding in our church. The surfacing of such reports based on facts will be considered and a report written to the Provincial Executive Officer and the Safe and Inclusive Church Commission.
3. We further request that each parish report in writing to the Diocese, on a confidential basis, any concerns of abuse or conduct which potentially contravenes the Pastoral Standards; further that if someone suspected of such conduct is thought to have moved to another congregation, that details of that congregation should be included in the report. In addition, should the person of concern move to a congregation outside the Anglican Church, the parish should liaise with us whether the matter should be reported on an explicitly confidential basis to the appropriate authority in that other worshiping entity. These steps should be regarded as reporting protocols, to be followed in addition to any disciplinary or legal action taken to address these instances of abuse. It is incumbent upon me as Bishop to lodge a written notification of such a concern of abuse to the Provincial Executive Officer and the Safe and Inclusive Church Commission where information to this effect is made available by report that abuse or impermissible conduct may have occurred, and not simply on mere rumor. Again, this step is to be taken in addition to any discipline or legal action necessary.
4. It is requested that all parishes in the Diocese ensure that the protocols requiring new members transferring from other Anglican parishes to provide letters of referral or commendation are fully implemented.
5. Parish leadership should also please note that the Anglican Board of Education in Southern Africa was tasked to convene a meeting of the Principals and Councils of Anglican schools to discuss the state of safeguarding at the schools, and to report on their discussions to the Synod of Bishops, the annual meeting of Provincial Standing Committee and Provincial Synod. Your co-operation and support for this
venture is needed and in it is in your own interest to attend and participate.”
Please know that these matters are of serious concern, weighty and in the best interest of our most vulnerable members and it needs our urgent action. Rest assured in the knowledge that these matters will be dealt with in confidentiality and that we will ensure proper filling and retrieval of information in a safe and secured place in our Offices.
I trust that you will give this due consideration and respond by providing the relevant information so requested to strengthen our Safeguarding processes in the Diocese and Province.
May God continue to bless your ministry.
Always serving.
The Right Reverend Edwin Desmond Pockpass
BISHOP OF GEORGE
