It began with an election; one that was by all accounts reasonably free and fair. Mr Pahad is our Ministry of the President, in defending the role of our President as a mediator in Zimbabwe, has said that this is the first election held in that country in which the opposition was able to canvas with relative freedom and without fear of police intimidation - all of which raises questions about the truthfulness and integrity of his earlier announcements that previous elections in that country had been both free and fair.

It seems to me that the crisis in the election process began when, following the smooth and timeous release of election results that clearly showed that the opposition had won the Senate election, the results of the election of the President were suddenly inexplicably delayed. With the delay the opposition claimed an outright victory, the ruling party declared a second round runoff was needed, but also demanded a recount. After some 6 weeks, despite opposition claims of ballot box tampering, the recount has confirmed the Senate election results. At the time of writing, however, the Presidential election results still have not been announced.

Instead of election results there have been reports of a mass retaliation against the population by military, police, and young supporters of the ruling party. Hundreds of people have been arrested for no apparent reason other than that they support the opposition, and graphic evidence of police brutality has been shown over and over again on our television screens. The recent incident at Durban harbour over the landing of Chinese weapons bound for Zimbabwe - weapons which were ordered at the same time as the dates for the elections were announced - suggests that the violent crackdown was at least anticipated and planned, and that the claims of the opposition that the ruling party is determined to cling to power at all costs may contain more than an element of truth.

The crisis in Zimbabwe, together with the unswerving support of our own State President in the face of opposition from his own party and all the members of the Tripartite Alliance shows how tenuous our grip on democracy is, and how expendable the lives and well-being of the poor is in the face of political power struggles and the pursuit of personal agendas by those in positions of power. It is this pattern of violence against the masses that has led the theologian Johann Metz to suggest that the real history of the world lies not in the glorious accounts of military conquests and the building of great empires, nor in the ugly tales of political power struggles, but in the "history of suffering" of the many millions of people who have simply been political pawns and whose lives and suffering have been deemed of no consequence.

Scripture certainly suggests that the God who hears the cry of the people and is moved by their suffering is far more the God of the "history of suffering" than the God of triumphalism. Now, as then, our God hears the cry of pain of those who are traumatised by exploitation, poverty, unemployment, rape, or violence of every kind. Those whom the world deems of no importance or consequence are infinitely precious to God. Because God hears their cry and shares their pain, we too must hear their cry and be moved to act.

What is at issue in Zimbabwe is not the outcome of an election, but the history of suffering unfolding before our eyes. Noam Chomsky, commenting on American injustice in the Middle East said, "If we had the honesty and the moral courage, we would not let a day go by without hearing the cries of the victims." Although he writes as an atheist Jew, his perspective is profoundly biblical.

Because God cares, the suffering of the world must be our daily concern, and we must be prepared to stand and be counted. Noam Chomsky says that, wherever there are power hierarchies that are harmful, we must seek to neutralise the harm they cause, if only by revealing the truth about what is going on.

We must, therefore, join our voices to that of the ANC and the Tripartite Alliance in demanding that increasing pressure be brought to bear on Robert Mugabe to ensure that a genuine solution to the crisis be found. This is not a taking of sides in the electoral process, but an insistence that the current history of suffering is unacceptable to God and us. But it may well be that we need to go further. Already we have significant populations of Zimbabweans living in our diocese, often in dire poverty, and these numbers are being swelling by the thousands who are currently fleeing the violence there. Given the rising xenophobia in our country and the open acts of violence that have erupted in certain areas against Zimbabweans, this may well demand a serious commitment of time and effort.

One further thought. The "history of suffering" is not confined to Zimbabwe, but is everywhere. In our own country the number of those who still live in poverty and are hurting and angry at their ongoing exclusion from the economic growth of our land continues to rise; the cry of those who have been killed, raped, hurt or robbed are heard every day; the tears of those living with, or orphaned by, HIV / AIDS are seen in every congregation. God calls us to hear the cry of all who are traumatised and in pain and to do something about it.

May our lives illuminate and transform the "history of suffering" around us.

+ Brian

Spiritual Formation

Clergy Day: Our next Clergy Day will take place at St Francis of Assisi, Parkview from 09h00-12h30 on Tuesday 6^th May. The Al Gore documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" will be screened and will be followed by discussion.

Clergy Quiet Day: Our next Diocesan Quiet Day which will be at Bishop's House on Tuesday, 19^th August 2008. Prayer is central to effectiveness in ministry so please plan to make this day a part of your spiritual life.

Clergy Marriage Course: I was disappointed to have had to cancel the Marriage Course because of a lack of participants. Our marriages are a vital part of our ministry in Christ and the strength of our marriage is central to our effectiveness as clergy. We need, therefore, to make time to participate in things which will deepen and enrich our marriage relationship. I encourage you all to make quality time for yourself and your spouse and to sign up for this course. Please let Beverley know if you would like to attend and, as soon as we have sufficient names, we will find the most suitable dates and times to meet. Please plan on attending - it can only enrich and bless you.

Reading Recommendations

A little book that is both challenging and stimulating is Kerry Walters' book, "Jacob's Hip." Subtitled "Finding God in an Anxious Age," it uses the Jacob story as a means of suggesting that the pain, vulnerability and weaknesses of our own lives can become the opportunity for true blessing. It invites us into that blessing and summonses us to radical trust and faith.

Meeting of Rectors and their Self Supporting Clergy

I look forward to seeing all rectors and self-supporting clergy at the meeting on Saturday 3^rd May which will take place from 08h30-12h30 at St Thomas', Linden. This meeting will lead into the 4 Saturday morning training sessions for self-supporting clergy for 2008 (24^th May; 5^th July; 23^rd August; and 6^th September). These self-supporting clergy trainings are of obligation and will take place at St Thomas', Linden from 08h30 - 12h30.

Farewell to the OHP

In the last Ad Clerum we announced the withdrawal of the OHP from South Africa. Sisters Erica, Pam and Margaret have been at St Benedict's since the beginning of April and are now in the final stages of the hand-over. The OHP have been a gentle, unobtrusive element in our diocese, always available to listen, advise and direct us in the ways of God and their departure will leave a hole in many lives and in the life of our diocese. We wish them God's speed and every blessing in their ongoing ministry to the wider church.

A farewell Eucharist will be held for the OHP in St Peter's Priory Church (St Martin's School), Rosettenville at 14h30 on Saturday 10^th May. This will be our last chance to say ‘goodbye' to the OHP's, so please take advantage of the invitation and make it a grand occasion.

Westcott College Invitation

Westcott College in Cambridge are offering a opportunity for a clergyperson who has been in ministry for a few years to spend 3 month studying at the College. Applications should be made through the Revd. Janet Trisk, the Acting Rector of the College of the Transfiguration.

Family News

Provincial News:

• David Beetge, Bishop of the Highveld has been diagnosed as having a Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and will need to undergo treatment as soon as possible. Please pray for him and his wife, Carol, in this difficult time.

• The Elective Assembly for the Diocese of Grahamstown will take place on 20 May 2008. Please pray for the elective assembly as well as for those who have been nominated:-

1. The Reverend Michael John Arnold, Chaplain at St John's College. (Diocese of Johannesburg).

2. The Reverend Thomas Matthew Karl Groepe, acting Archdeacon of the Waterfront and Rector of St Paul's, Breë Street. (Diocese of Cape Town).

3. The Very Reverend Donald Narraway, Dean of Bloemfontein. (Diocese of the Free State).

4. The Venerable Ebenezer St Mark Ntlali, Archdeacon of King Williams Town and Rector of St John & St Chad, Zwelitsha. (Diocese of Grahamstown).

• The Elective Assembly for the Diocese of Lesotho will also take place on 20 May 2008. Please pray for the elective assembly as well as for those who have been nominated:-

1. The Revd Tanki Mofanana SSM, Rector St Barnabas Mission, Masite. (Diocese of Lesotho).

2. The Revd Mallane Taaso, Assistant Priest at St Saviours' Mission & Deputy Principal of St Cyprian's High School. (Diocese of Lesotho).

3. The Revd Michael Khang, Assistant Priest at St. Mary & St James, Cathedral & Lecturer at the Lesotho College of Education. (Diocese of Lesotho).

4. The Ven Joseph Ntlamelle, Rector St Stephen's Mission, Mohale's Hoek & Archdeacon of the South Region. (Diocese of Lesotho).

5. The Revd  Benjamin Mafereka, Rector of African Martyrs, Qwa-qwa. (Diocese of the Free State).

6. The Very Revd Fred Pitout, Dean of the Cathdedral of the Holy Nativity. (Diocese of Natal).

Diocesan News:

• Our congratulations go to the members of School for Ministries who graduated at the end of April 2008. Abegail Tserere, Dorcas Baleni, Kgoro Mogami and Sonny Boy Mokgethi completed a Diploma through TEE College. The following members completed a Degree through TEE College: Marius Loggenberg, Garth Cramer and Suzanne Cramer.

• An invitation is extended to everyone to attend Bikitsha Njumbuxa's Retirement Farewell on Thursday, 1^st May 2008 at Christ the King Coronationville at 10h00. He ask all clergy to robe white.

• The Revd Erna Basson would like to express sincere thanks to everyone for the prayers and support received during the time of her recent bereavement.

• The Maboe family would like to say thank you for the prayers and support received by the Revd Joe Maboe, Priest in Charge of the parish of St Nicholas, Carletonville while he was in hospital recently for a major operation. Joe is now at home and recovering well. His contact number is 072 536 7455.

• Revd Sam Moswatlhe would like to thank everyone for keeping him and his family in your prayers during the time he was in hospital recently. Sam is back at home and may be contacted on 011 410 1324.

• Revd Gerard Schaafsma, a retired priest of the Diocese, passed away recently. His wife Wendy who was in ICU at the time died a week later. They will be buried in a joint ceremony to be held at St Catherine's, Bramley on the afternoon of Wednesday, 7^th May. The time of the funeral is 3:30pm.

• Esther Kekana of Ekutuleni Mission passed away on 22^nd March and was buried on the 28^th March 2008. Please keep the family in your prayers during their bereavement.

• The Rev'd Lucas Sentsho, one time a priest in the Diocese, died on the 27^th April, at 18h00 at Borobalo, Wolmaranstad. He will be buried this Friday, 2^nd May from St. Paul's (Anglican) Church, Borobalo. The funeral worship service will start at 07h00. For further details, please contact his son, Lawrence at  0829786714 or at 018 5952541 (h).

• Revd Thato Molipa's brother-in-law, Phillip Mokgatla (Fecilia's brother), died on the 27^th April 2008 at 00h30 at the Klerksdorp Hospital. He will be buried this Saturday, 3^rd May from St. Joseph's (Anglican) Church, Atamelang. The funeral worship service will start at 07h00.

Dates for Diary

May

JUNE

Moves, Appointments and Vacancies

• Millie Smythe will become a full time self-supporting priest at St John the Divine, Belgravia with effect from 1^st June, 2008. Please pray for her as she begins this new phase of her ministry.

• Congratulations to Cynthia Botha on being appointed as Liaison Officer for Liturgy for the Anglican Communion and Secretary for the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation (IALC).  This is a very senior appointment at the international level of our worldwide Anglican communion.  We are enormously proud of you, Cynthia.

Birthdays And Anniversaries:

Please remember the following persons in your prayers as they celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in the coming months:

General Notices

• The Sunday Morning Radio Broadcast Service: Will be broadcast on Sunday 18^th May 2008 from the Parish of St Michael & All Angels, Boksburg. The Ven Tom Amoore.

• Emergency Planning in Churches: The second part of the course which is being presented by Jenny Clarke will be held at St Luke's, Orchards on Saturday 10^th May 2008. The closing date for applications is 2^nd May 2008. Times are 09h00 - 16h00. The cost of R100.00 per person covers documentation, light refreshments and certification. This is a good opportunity for those clergy who completed the first part of the course on a previous occasion, and were not able to get to the second part, to complete their training. Please contact Revd Allan Williams on 011 728 7015 for further details.

• Post-Ordination Skills Training: The programme for 2008 is as follows:

May 17 Eucharist

1^st Communion, varieties, problems, questions

June 21 Baptism, Confirmation

Bring notes already using

July 19 Death & Dying - trip to undertakers

Hospice, anointing

Sept 20 Marriage

Priests to have applied for Marriage Officer's Licence (Saras)

Oct 18 Confession, exorcism (un-holy ghosts)

Nov 22 Deacon vs priest and self-supporting vs stipendiary

Venue: St Margaret's, 9 Harper Road, Bedfordview. Time: 09h00 to ±16h00. Bring & Share lunch. For more information contact Revd Patricia Lane. 011 455 4449.

• Sunday School Teachers' Conference: The Ven Pat Lane is looking for a venue for the Sunday School Teachers' Conference to be held on Saturday, 13 September from 09h00 until 16h00. Please contact Pat on 011 455 4449 if your parish is willing to volunteer!

• Bishop's Meeting with Wardens: The Bishop's meeting with churchwardens that was scheduled to be held on Saturday, 19^th April 2008 has been rescheduled. The meeting will now take place from 08h30-12h30 on Saturday, 10^th May at St James', Diepkloof. Please make sure that your churchwardens are advised of this new arrangement.

• Diocesan Young People's Portfolio (DYPP): The next DYPP meeting will be held on Saturday, 19^th April at St Mary's Cathedral starting at 14h00. For further details contact Linda at the Diocesan Office at (011) 336-8724.

P.S: The Diocesan office staff would like to take this opportunity to thank the Revd Paul Siaki  for the lunch he provided for us recently. What a surprise and delight! Thank you Fr  Paul and God bless.

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