Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - March 12, 1977, Winnipeg, Manitoba Religion they who would valiant be Are sorely tried the killing of the anglican Arch Bishop of Uganda was president Amin s response to a Church decision to speak out against the brutality of his regime. On feb. 8. Archbishop Zanoni Lowum and the 18 other anglican ugandan Bishops All africans drafted a letter to the ugandan presi Dent. Its message was enough is enough. Uganda s citizens were Inse cure afraid and the gun which had been pressed against the archbishop s stomach his House had been searched three Days before is a gun pointed at every Christian in the ugandans were being set one against the other. The courage of the Church leaders in signing this letter was confirmed eight Days later by the death of archbishop Lowum. The ugandan president has several reasons for allowing or ordering his Security forces to kill or intimidate leading christians. A moslem himself he has said he wants to turn Uganda into a moslem country. Uganda s moslem amount to no More than 10 per cent of the 11 million population but a much higher proportion of the armed forces. Oljey Are heavily out numbered by christians of whom live million Are roman catholics and three million anglicans. The anglican and Catholic churches in Uganda have in the Century since their first missionaries arrived be come More politicized than in most other african states. Theirs has been history of Competition and attrition. Although in the minority protestants had a larger say during the period of British colonial Rule. The roman catholics hoped that roles would be reversed after Independence when they expected Benedicto Kiwanuka s largely Catholic democratic party to come to Power. It was not to be Milton Obote s Uganda people s con Gress headed mainly by protestants won the elections. Amin s obsessive fear of the exiled Milton Obote. Who is from the same Choli tribe As archbishop Lowum is certainly a Factor in what could yet become a ruthless persecution of protestants. Although the president claims with justification that he used to try to reconcile anglicans and Cath Olics he now is trying to Divide them. In a broadcast feb. 18, he said one of the Aims of the alleged plotters among whom he counted archbishop Lowum was to kill the catholics. But catholics too have disappeared from their Homes never to be seen again. Churches in Africa the situation in Uganda has no direct parallel elsewhere in Africa but the lot of christians in equatorial Guinea where 90 per cent of the population is roman Catholic is a cause for deep concern. President Marcias Nuema a cruel and ruthless dictator has shown his fear of the Church by closing Down Catholic seminaries Banning contributions to churches ordering state officials to be present at All Church services and forbidding priests to travel without permission. The last Bishop was forced into exile where he died in 1974 he has not been replaced. In the Central african Republic. Emperor Bokassa. Who became a moslem last year now has placed certain restrictions on the activities of the Catholic clergy. In Guinea where a Black archbishop has been imprisoned for life Catholic clergymen work under difficult conditions and All missionaries have been banned. Churches have had problems in Ghana in the 1960s during Nkrumah s Rule and More recently in Zaire and Chad where president Mobutu and the late president Tombal Baye have seen Catholic influence As an obstacle to their goal of National in All three countries restrictions have now been eased. How christians will fare in african marxist slates is a question Lor the future. Maxan Fettik has few Catholic priests left after expulsions by the portuguese colonialist government and its successor. Fre Limo. Some local commissars have refused to allow christians to worship but this is not government policy. The new anglican Bishop of Mozambique a 30-year-old Moza Biquan has not reported any conflict with the government. The an Golan government has forbidden religious teaching to children and the propagation of christianity but Church services Are permitted. In Ethiopia the military rulers appear to be attempting to suppress the very Strong ethiopian coptic Church and the lutherans also Strong in the country Are in trouble. All the world s major Christian de nominations which helped carry the Christian Faith and its beliefs to Africa have recognized the desirability of promoting the autonomy of the Afri can churches. Within the anglican communion for instance there Are now eight autonomous churches in Africa each with its own elected Hier Archy headed by an archbishop. They Are loosely linked with the Church of England and other anglican churches throughout the world through the anglican consultative Council. The Church of Uganda Rwanda Burundi and Bogo Zaire has the fourth largest membership of churches in the anglican family. The african provinces of the Catholic Church have close ties to the holy see in Rome. But like the anglicans the methodists baptists presbyterians and other free churches in Africa run their own affairs. This has not meant the end of the Road for the missionary societies just that their role has changed. The men and women they Send out to Africa As teachers doctors nurses or clergy arc still called missionaries for want of a better name but they work within an african Church and do not join a Mission establishment. Some stay for life others return. Those from an evangelical background like members of the anglican Church missionary society May feel More impelled to preach the gospel. The am african Council of which links african churches of All denominations the Catholic Church observes but does not is currently debating whether african churches with ties to foreign churches and missionary societies should now break these ties in order to become More attuned to Afri can thought and develop their own identities. This would mean taking no More Money and no More overseas. Given the poverty of Many african countries such a policy would compel their clergymen to spend much of their time earning a living. And trained african manpower is in Short Supply. The Best graduates from theological colleges and Bible schools Are needed for senior jobs there Are not yet enough of them to staff the col Leges. The churches which do not have this dilemma Are the entirely indigenous african churches which have proliferated in recent years. The most spectacular is the Kim Banguis Church which started in Zaire and has spread into Nigeria South Africa and elsewhere. Its theology is fairly Ortho Dox but it is entirely self supporting and has no links with any other Church. Hundreds of other churches Many pentecostal in character and centred on a local charismatic Leader have mushroomed throughout Black Africa. This is a warning to the traditional churches that there Are aspects of the Faith which africans want and which they have been neglecting. Re Ligion animist Christian or moslem is Central to african life. The growth of african churches new and old is a Factor african gov too cannot ignore. A Ken Yan Bishop said recently that not a sunday passed when he did not Lay a Church foundation Stone or consecrate a new Church. Many of today s political leaders in Africa picked up their ideas about emancipation in Mission schools the churches generally championed their aspirations. In while Africa Loo Church men Are politically prominent. Almost All of Row Psia s nationalist leaders Are Church ministers or committed Church members. The Catholic Church in Rhodesia has been in the Chris Tialii Yii if Rici by 60-80 a Titi Usu forefront in exposing the unacceptable activities of the rhodesian Security forces while condemning violence by both sides it was announced recently that the Bishop of Umali. Donal la Mont would be deported after an Appeal court had reduced its 10-year sentence for failing to report guerrillas. In South West Africa the lutheran Church is bravely supporting the cause of majority Rule. In White ruled South Africa the Church has been involved in the argument Over racial injustices since the first missionary societies clashed with the Frontier settlers in the Early nineteenth Century. A Long series of turbulent priests the Rev. Michael Scott father Trevor huddles on and Bishop Ambrose Reeves Are re cent examples have come into conflict with the government and one by one have left the country to continue the crusade against what they see As the wickedness of apartheid. The conflict continues today with defiant efforts by the anglican and Catholic churches to integrate their privately run schools and hospitals against the government s strict segregation Laws. Outspoken criticism of apartheid from the pulpits of most of the English speaking denominations is frequent. But by no Means All Christian preaching in South Africa is against the official system. On the contrary the biggest and most influential churches in the country the three dutch reformed churches Are firmly on the Side of the government. They Are closely interwoven into the fabric of the afrikaner nationalist move ment. The importance of this spiritual underpinning of apartheid can hardly be exaggerated. The afrikaners Are an intensely religious people who take their Faith both seriously and literally. Their churches arc crowded every sunday and the Black suited Dominies who preach hellfire sermons carry enormous influence in the society. And the churches themselves carry enor Mous influence with the government. The Moderator of the biggest of the three Koot Vorster of the therefor Merde Kerk. Is the prime minister s brother. The dutch he formed churches have been aptly de scribed us the nationalist party Al economist 11 . Time a corf to Nee Conw to a of Toita St. T Grant of tight. Pilor my. Mac ass 7 . All Welcome sly Flarv t4m pl4 11 . The angry Christ radio sky pm 92.1 pcs pastor Pra Achaa 2p.m. Fam team by on to Channel 7, Cable 5 7 . Wallace tar in 30 minute of inspiration Sermon by pastor barter or filial sir k you kid inst of you at informed 0 Abrl a ral to ten. My 6 . Ohm i. Ctr tit. I. Jew so. My pm. Pm. 73i-03m Aion n j to oui Cou bulling new Inird of Taftt untied in cur. Met Sioe Matist the mates . Wanner 11.111. Community location mix hmm mum Iii Amk Mem m. Banfay soviets . Us of 0m spirit Southern baptists Jesus Christ in Guam mum cow a How i maim sunday 1 1 . A 7 . 1113 Eum Chapel Comai at apr Taji sol oct or. Ronam e. Pastor to Acler organist and music co or Mator . Omato study hour 11 . Expo Enion of romans 12 1-2 6 . Exposition of acts 10 1-33 a Zion apostolic Church 305 Machray ave. 2 blocks West of main re. W. S. Schmoel . Apostolic rime radio . Family sunday school 11 m . What will thou Nave me Tow . Wasted year special singing by the son a a tossing you at tort null s first time Ever wok lom6 Spring comm hot set March 14-19 Over 2000 to in m. Door wits each doff All v Van we 4vvmfk fun my a hmm to no Pwu sum co. Ltd. 300 Edmonton St. Winnipeg huh Ald of truth . Pm. 13 sunday services 217 of Boom at Kim Hon 10a.m. -11 . -7p.m. Wednesday . To my Winnipeg Citadel 400 Colony St. Sumy lots up . Children 11 7 Welcome Central Alliance new. F. N. Mgt Milotay totter pm. 7754075 . Sunday school . Most Nam worship . Etc Nam evangel Christian count eng mow open Tor pm. 774-0660 everyone Welcome organist choir director required by sept. 1, 1977 fort Garry imm Dordi Send resume of qualifications to chairman commit Tom we flow St. Inter marriage alarms rabbi Toronto up rabbi Meir Gol Learnan says the Toronto jewish Community will become an endangered species unless there is an absolute revolution in jew ish life. Ii has reached frighten ing and even critical proportions. A jew who marries out of his Faith is stabbing a knife to the heart of his people bringing disgrace to his fam ily and diminishing the Mes Sage and vitality of the jew ish the most critical symptom of this spiritual Wither ing is inter marriage out of our he said at a news conference. Leo Davids a York University sociology professor backed up s claim. He said about 25 per cent of All jewish brides or rooms Are marrying out Side their Faith. Assimilation Means thai jewish people in their think ing and daily life arc my oriented to their jewish Davids said. He said there Are bout jews in Toronto and Moto in Canada. The rabbi said full like 3 mouse fighting an ele Phant and added that he has formed the movement of jewish singles against assimilation and inter marriage to fight the trend. It s like the Little boy with his Finger in the Dike hoping that somehow he can hold Back the flood until some How the tide therapy too Bare Chicago a Chicago minister who conducted nude therapy sessions for some of his parishioners has agreed to Lake a leave of absence until proceedings against him can be resolved in june his Church said yesterday. The Rev. Louis Hillen Paster of the Ingle Side United methodist Church came under tire in january after it was revealed he had helped several parishioners who were consumed with sexuality at sessions that included some nudity but no sexual acts. In a letter to be sent to All ministers under his jurisdiction Hillendahl s Superior said the controversial pastor agreed to Lake a leave of absence from his ministry. The Rev. Paul Washburn Bishop of the United methodist Church s Northern Illi Nois conference told the ministers that Hillendahl would remain on full salary and would continue to live with his wife in the Parson age at Ingleside until a con Ference of Church leaders is held in june. Hillendahl will not conduct services or per form other ministerial functions during that time Washburn said. The agreement to take a leave of absence came the Bishop said after an investigative committee met four times to consider charges of imprudent conduct and in ministerial behaviour against Hillendahl. The Bishop said the com Mittee found grounds to put Hillendahl on trial before a panel of ministers. The com Mittee is hoping however Hal an agreement can be worked out Between the panel and Hillendahl. Mak ing a Church trial Unne Ces. Sary. Such Church trial would be held before 134 ministers and could result in expulsion from the Church. Southwest Mission set the four United Church pastoral charges of South Western Manitoba do Lorainc. Melita. Pic son and Waskada Are sponsoring a preaching Mission. Outreach from the Cross March 13-17. Even though this event is being sponsored by the United Church support is sought from All denominations. The Mission is being con ducted by compassion of Canada an interdenominational Christian child care Agency. They care for Chil Dren throughout the third work physic ally and spiritually. Compassion has a to hrs Fow ministry caring for needy Chil Dren through child sponsor ship at a month. X Relief and develop ment program aiding men and women in crisis areas. Compassion believes Christ had a vision of Chang ing the world by changing men and women. Outreach from the Cross is part of that vision bringing people to Christ Hal they might bring Christ world. Compassion s third ministry is the one of particular interest now bringing the message of Christ to the area and also encouraging a Copilot to grow in the Chris Tian Faith. Church m Canada a much of Tiv a. Milf of. . Worship or. Taylor of Tarot theology u of twp Church school Piv w 9 Comer Ulac Scotland St. Stephen s Broadway United Church . Worship Moo topic meekness is not weakness Nursery and sunday school minister Rev. Ernest Baskir . To choirmaster and organist prot. Richey first owlish Friendly downtown Church 774-3143 Homo Unow to ramp Sermon lenten service . Come and serve with us All saints Ani Ducam Broadway imy Kirl Hartm 1 1 00 . Sung eucharist and Church sri Biol West Stei Hutu Church a or. R. L i Point o Withum Corriv mrs Jojn Mccomm mrs Piru . Stranger of Galilee or. Vex Dkl 440 . It Iota it Rector organist butt of 821 co Trot a. Sunday school 11.-ooi.ir, won hip Richard atom Torr Welcome to Alt Portage ave. Baptist Cor. Ear Tifi a 7s3-s34i l. M. Laird. . W. . Tar Al Kaaa Knox Church Bruce d. Rodeos. . B d. Rev. J . Edwards. . B d. 11 . A miserable sen Rev. Bruce Roberts Church school Lorah organist and choir master Barry holy to Lotty Church anglican Roctor my. We. My Grofer sunday holy common xxi j homing prayer . Broadcast by chem pm my somos hit Zajf to to i2.n piled it is week Winnipeg on a do . Guest speaker tcc11 we preach i Christ crucified risen hmm. Coming again. Church Colony at Cooper Kaht Momson pastor Rae Larson. Asst. My Delamont. Music Ken Hawks. Asst Rov Cawkell asst ft45 and and 11.-ooa.m. I 7.-oo . Evening or. Itan. 4ixf Tim lao or or. Art Coulter the Billy Graham evangelistic association presents 11 saturday Mahum 12, ;