Natal News & Information

A Joint Statement by the Bishops of Natal and Southwell

It is the privilege of Christians to be members together of the worldwide body of Christ. As the Bishops of Natal and of Southwell & Nottingham we rejoice that, with our colleagues, we have been experiencing these past five years a truly exciting and enriching partnership between two dioceses separated by thousands of miles but one in the Gospel.

We believe that a strong and committed friendship between the people of the Dioceses of Southwell & Nottingham and Natal is the foundation upon which many substantial and constructive links will be formed to help us witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our different contexts.

Such a friendship does not come into being overnight, and we are aware that we need to continue to move forward gradually, but with determination, to ensure that the relationship is both mutual and based on realistic expectations.

As a result of the visits we have made to one another, we have established a very warm personal relationship, and we have identified a number of areas in which we believe this new relationship will grow and deepen. In a short time we have learnt an enormous amount about our respective dioceses, and the issues which face our peoples.

In KwaZulu Natal, for instance, as in so much of southern Africa, HIV/AIDS is devastating communities, creating a real burden for a people still seeking to reconcile the divisions and heal the wounds of the years under apartheid.

In Nottinghamshire issues around the regeneration of mining communities, the devastation of the rural economy and the rapid development of the City of Nottingham present real challenges to the Church as responsible partners in the framework of social care in the county.

Both dioceses will face different challenges from the financial and economic situation we are facing together. But in both dioceses there are stories of hope and stories of perseverance to share. It has been good for us each to see the impact the gospel can have for good especially amongst our young people.

We continue to celebrate our commitment to one another, and over the coming year we shall look to plant that sense of our common journey of faith throughout both our dioceses, so that together we will be able to rejoice in our growing companionship.