According to the bishop, there have occasionally been some small showers, but these were not sufficient to put water in the ponds or even cause the growth of vegetation.

“Right now, there are serious water shortages, borehole breakdowns, and there’s no food,” Wario said. “Earlier, the people had a lot of expectations, planting their farms but everything has now dried up.”

Read the entire article here.

In a statement, he warned that the attacks set a dangerous global precedent by normalizing the use of armed force to achieve political objectives.

He also appealed to the United Nations and the Organization of American States to take swift action to ensure all members respect the relevant charters and conventions.

Read his entire statement here.

Archbishop of Canterbury-elect Sarah Mullally, “Rethinking ‘No Room in the Inn’”

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, “The Long Journey from Bethlehem to our hearts”

Archbishop Don Tamihere, Archbishop Sione Ulu’ilakepa and Archbishop Justin Duckworth of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia, “Christ turns us from despair to hope”

Archbishops Geoffrey Smith of the Anglican Church of Australia, “In Jesus, God is with us”

Archbishop Samuel Sunil Mankhin of the Church of Bangladesh, “Rejoice that God came near”

Archbishop Shane Parker of the Anglican Church of Canada, “God loves to be found in unexpected places”

Archbishop John McDowell of All Ireland, with other Irish faith leaders, “His name will be called Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us’”

Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, “There is still hope for peace and joy in Sudan”

Archbishop Philip S. Wright of the Church in the Province of the West Indies, “Divine Love is at the heart of Christmas”

The Rt. Rev. Anthony Poggo, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, earlier released his Christmas greeting.

My dear brothers and sisters, on behalf of everyone at the Anglican Communion Office, I send you warm greetings in Christ.

It is a joy to serve the Anglican Communion. This year, I’ve had the privilege of visiting several of your communities around the globe. In many places, the church is thriving. I am deeply encouraged by your ministry, hospitality and faithful witness. You are fulfilling the purpose for which Jesus was born: to bring the good news of salvation to the world.

At this time, many of you are serving in places of conflict or challenge. I think especially of our Christian family in places like South Sudan, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Israel and the Gaza strip, among others. I think of those in Hong Kong affected by fires, or those in Sri Lanka impacted by flooding. As you seek to support your communities, be assured of our ongoing prayers and solidarity.

This year, Christians marked the 1700th anniversary of the first Council of Nicaea, the council that gave us the Nicene Creed. That creed affirms the central beliefs we share across so many church traditions. It connects us — across cultures, centuries and continents — reminding us that Christ calls his church to be one.

In recent days, we’ve seen this call to unity powerfully embodied by Pope Leo XIV from the Catholic Church and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I from the Orthodox Church. During an ecumenical pilgrimage in Turkey, they signed a joint declaration, reaffirming a commitment to work toward the unity of their churches. In doing so, they modelled the same spirit of reconciliation that guided the church fathers at Nicaea 17 centuries ago. They also made a strong appeal for peace, urging global leaders to end the tragedy of war.

At Christmas, their declaration challenges us to remember that Christian unity must always bear fruit in our witness to the world. The book of Isaiah tells us, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

As we prepare for Christmas and celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, may we continue to walk closer together as Christians. May we share the hope of Christ with a hurting world. And may we work tirelessly for the peace that only he can bring.

Amen.

Please join me in praying urgently for the injured and families of victims of the shooting at Bondi Beach. Pray for the safety of the Jewish community and residents of Bondi. Pray for the police and medical teams in their work. Lord have mercy.

From Southern Queensland Archbishop Jeremy Greaves:

I write following last night’s horrific mass shooting at Bondi Beach, which was directed at Jewish community members gathered to celebrate the first evening of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights.

I join with other faith leaders in grieving for those killed and injured in what New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has declared “a terrorist incident” because of the event’s timing, the type of weapons used and the improvised explosive devices found.

I unequivocally condemn this antisemitic attack, and all antisemitism, which is a sin against our neighbor and an assault on human dignity. Such violence must be condemned wherever and whenever it occurs.

To the Jewish community in Sydney, Queensland and around Australia, I want to say clearly that you are not alone — I weep with you. Your safety matters — every person has the right to gather, practice their faith and celebrate their culture in peace and freedom.

I pray for all community members who mourn, for the wounded and those caring for them, and for those traumatized.

I pray for the police and paramedics, particularly for the seriously injured police officers, and the hospital workers who have served under incredible strain.

My prayers are also with those community members who courageously intervened before the police arrived, especially passerby Ahmed El Ahmed who was reportedly shot by a gunman from a nearby bridge in the process of disarming another gunman. In a media conference last night, NSW Premier Chris Minns said, “That man is a genuine hero, and I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”

What we are witnessing and hearing in the news reports is shocking, distressing and heartbreaking, so please hold your family, friends and faith community close.

During this traumatic time, I join with other faith leaders and call for all Australians to respond with compassion; for the media to show sensitivity; and for all elected representatives to promote unity.

The NSW Police Force has activated the Register Find Reunite capability to assist in the registration of those who have been impacted. It is a service, administered by the Australian Red Cross, that enables people to register to let people know they are safe; find people who may be affected by an emergency and know they are safe; and, reunite through a matching process.

From the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Archbishop John McDowell:

There are times when the ends of the earth can seem very near to us. Such was my feeling today when I heard about the brutal murder of innocent Jewish people – men, women and children – as they gathered to light the first candles of Hanukkah, the Festival when Jews all over the world remember the Dedication of the Second Temple. This will be a deeply unhappy Hanukkah for many Jews, especially those who have friends and relatives in the large Jewish diaspora in Australia. My thoughts and prayers, and the prayers of many people in Ireland, will be with the victims and families of those affected by today’s atrocity and by the creeping antisemitism which plagues so many parts of the world.”

In addition, the Bondi Beach Church, a location of the Bondi Anglican Church is providing resources on its Facebook page for those affected by the shooting, as well as a place for prayer or silence.

Download the Communiqué here or read it below.

The 2025 meeting of IASCUFO took place in Rome from 7 to 11 December. The Commission was grateful for the hospitality of the Istituto Maria Santissima Bambina, including for the use of their Chapel for our daily worship. Members of the Commission joined services at All Saints’ (Church of England), St Paul’s within the Walls (The Episcopal Church), and St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday 7 December. We were delighted to be joined by the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Anthony Poggo.

The Commission also welcomed the participation in much of the meeting by Bishop Anthony Ball, Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome and Representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Holy See. We were grateful for Bishop Ball’s assistance around arrangements for our meeting, together with that of the staff at the Centre, where one day of the meeting was held, and where Commission members participated in a seminar on The Nairobi-Cairo Proposals.

IASCUFO was privileged to attend a Papal audience, at which the Commission’s presence was formally acknowledged, episcopal members were individually introduced to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, and gifts were exchanged. Afterwards we were received at the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity by His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch and members of the Dicastery. In an atmosphere of warm friendship, stimulating discussions focussed on the Dicastery’s 2024 Study Document, The Bishop of Rome, to which IASCUFO is preparing a response; and IASCUFO’s recent Nairobi-Cairo Proposals. The Commission also visited the Centro pro Unione and learned about its rich ecumenical history and current ministry.

Review and discussion of The Nairobi-Cairo Proposals — which arose from work commissioned by ACC-18 in 2023 to help the Communion find a way through the divisions and disagreements among us — constituted the major part of our work. We considered the responses received since publication in Advent 2024 and noted that further responses are anticipated. In response to this welcome feedback, supplementary work was explored in preparation for reporting to ACC-19 at its meeting in Belfast in June-July 2026. This included fresh consideration of the collegial ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury within the Communion. We also reviewed related proposals for amending the ACC constitution. We shall produce additional resources reflecting these evolving developments to our Proposals, which will be published in advance of ACC-19.

We pursued our task conscious of the pain of the Communion’s disagreements. We continue to wrestle in hope, determined to advance our work, for the unity of the Communion within this broken and hurting world of which we are inescapably a part, and for the sake of our calling — together with all Christians — to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

In addition, the Commission reviewed the meetings of bilateral and multilateral dialogues and relationships over the past year, spanning the Assyrian, Lutheran, Methodist, Old Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and Roman Catholic churches. We reflected on major celebrations during the year of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and heard reports on developing initiatives within the Anglican Communion in Evangelism and Discipleship, and Theological Education. We also gave further consideration to the requirements for setting up new member churches of the Communion, and to ecumenical proposals for observing a Feast of Creation. A programme was prepared for reporting to ACC-19 on IASCUFO’s work in all the foregoing areas.

At the papal audience, Pope Leo reminded us that “the Risen One has gone before us in the great trial of death, emerging victorious thanks to the power of divine Love.” At this Advent season, when we reflect on the future, both of our lives, and of the Church and the world, we too wait with expectant hope, that in and through us, God will “accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine” (Eph 3.20).

IASCUFO’s mandate is:

• to promote the deepening of Communion between the Churches of the Anglican Communion, and between those Churches and the other Churches and traditions of the Christian oikumene.
• to advise the Provinces and the Instruments of Communion on all questions of ecumenical engagement, proposals for national, regional or international ecumenical agreement or schemes of co-operation and unity, as well as on questions touching Anglican Faith and Order.
• to review developments in the areas of faith, order or unity in the Anglican Communion and among ecumenical partners, and to give advice to the Churches of the Anglican Communion or to the Instruments of Communion upon them, with the intention to promote common understanding, consistency, and convergence both in Anglican Communion affairs, and in ecumenical engagement.
• to assist any Province with the assessment of new proposals in the areas of Unity, Faith and Order as requested.

IASCUFO membershp:

The Rt. Rev. Graham Tomlin, Chair (England)

The Rt. Rev. Steven Abbarow (Malaysia)

Joanildo Burity (Brazil)

The Most Rev. Titus Chung (Singapore)

The Rt. Rev.Dalcy Badeli Dlamini (Eswatini)

The Very Rev. Nak-Hyon Joseph Joo (South Korea; member of IALC)

The Rev. Margaret Kalaiselvi (India)

The Rt Rev. Paul Korir (Kenya)

The Rev. Dane Neufeld (Canada)

The Rev. John Rogers (Barbados)

Carlos Romero (Chile; member of ACC)

The Very Rev. Sarah Rowland Jones (Wales)

The Most Rev. Samy Shehata (Egypt)

The Rev. Katherine Sonderegger (United States of America)

The Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton (United States of America; member of ACC)

The Rt. Rev. Todd Townshend (Canada)

The Rt. Rev.Richard Treloar (Australia)

The statement, which was made ahead of the upcoming review on the progress of the United Nations Global Refugee Forum, was signed by the Rt. Rev. Anthony Poggo, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, and the Rev. Anne Burghardt, secretary general of the Lutheran World Federation.

The Anglican Communion and the Lutheran World Federation will participate in the review and issue a joint statement to reaffirm their shared commitment and collaboration. It recognizes the need to reform multilateral systems and it advocates for “effective global cooperation” and “sufficient resourcing” for one of the most vulnerable groups in our societies, remembering that Jesus was once a refugee.

The joint statement will be represented at the Global Refugee Forum by the Most Rev. Maimbo Mndolwa, the Anglican archbishop of Tanzania. He is the Anglican Communion’s representative to the Multi-Religious Council of Leaders in its partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees. He will also work collaboratively with the representatives of the Lutheran World Federation to advocate for justice for displaced peoples.

Read more about this effort here.

The south facade of St. Mary le Strand, a small Baroque-style church in the heart of London, was recently draped in a new public artwork, a curtain that shimmers with a lavender hue at night. The installation by artist Louise Giovanelli is the opening salvo of a renovation of the 300-year-old church, which is taking on a new mission as a place for art and creativity. (Photo: Yonat Shimron, RNS)

[Religion News Service – London] In the heart of the city, on one of its most iconic streets, the side of a small, Baroque-style church has recently been draped in a shimmering curtain that casts a lavender-like hue at night.

The dramatic installation, titled “Decades,” by Manchester artist Louise Giovanelli, is intended to draw attention to St. Mary le Strand, a 300 year-old church that until a few years ago had been considered moribund.

Like an actor standing behind a curtain, ready to perform, the church is now in the process of revealing its latest act.

“The reason we wanted to do the artwork is actually just to draw people’s attention to the building and make people look again,” said the Rev. Peter Babington, priest in charge of St. Mary le Strand. “This is not a closed, redundant building, but there’s something exciting and interesting happening, and it’s a way of generating interest.”

For years, the Anglican church had sat on a tiny island in the middle of the Strand between two lanes of traffic. Cab drivers called it “St. Mary in the way.” Designed by the renowned Scottish architect James Gibbs, the church had turned ashen from soot and diesel fumes and was dwarfed by the many cultural institutions that had grown up around it: King’s College London; Somerset House, a cultural events space; The Courtauld Gallery; and, off a bit, the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Three years ago, a short stretch of the Strand was redeveloped into a pedestrian walkway with benches and patches of grass. It gave the church, where attendance had been falling for decades, a chance at a new start. St. Mary le Strand is now in the process of raising $16.7 million to renovate the building, repair the exterior stonework, add an accessible entry and a lower-level community space, install a new heating and cooling system, and update the lighting.

The church is also dedicating itself to a new mission: remaining a place of worship, but also introducing itself as a public space for art, culture and creativity.

The church plans to host art installations, concerts and other events to better integrate into the creative environment of which it is a part.

Considered to be one of the worst natural disasters experienced in the region in decades, the storm created widespread flooding, landslides and mudflows that destroyed hundreds of lives as well as infrastructure and agricultural land.

A news release from Colombo Bishop Dushantha Rodrigo and Kurunagala Bishop Nishanha Fernando said that all 25 districts and over 1.4 million people are currently affected, with more than 480 reported dead so far and over 350 missing after Cyclone Ditwah unleashed catastrophic flooding and landslides across the island. Initial estimates over 275,000 children are among the 1.4 million affected, although the number could be much higher because of disrupted communication and blocked access routes.

The severe damage to houses and vital infrastructure, along with the disruption of essential services, has caused widespread displacement and the risk of the outbreak of disease, malnutrition and unsafe living conditions and emotional stress among the people. Disruption to electricity and communication and transport networks has hindered contact with those affected.

The two bishops also said, “In history, we have not witnessed a disaster of this magnitude that has affected an entire country. The Ditwah Cyclone has disrupted the lives of Sri Lankans across the nation. As a country, our people have looked forward with renewed hope in recent months, working hard to bring stability to all aspects of society and to elevate the living conditions of all. Yet this catastrophe has slowed that progress. Nevertheless, we remain confident that, as a nation, we can stand firmly together.”

The Church of Ceylon, through its Boards of Social Responsibility, began working immediately after the cyclone. Assessments are being made through the clergy in the districts to ascertain needed intervention and immediate relief has been sent to the districts wherever there has been access. As the waters recede, the process of recovery and rebuilding will begin.

The bishops said that they “are committed to collaborating with all to uplift the lives of our beloved people. We are journeying through this challenge together with the government and the rest of society, united in our resolve to rebuild, uplift and restore hope and confidence to the lives of all people, regardless of their background or identity. We trust that our Creator God is guiding us toward a better future.

“During the season of Advent, our prayer, along with the people of the church, is ‘Maranatha’ – Lord help us to see a right. Give us a new vision to understand what you are showing us, so that we may respond with love and compassion in this situation of hopelessness.”