SACC invites Exarchate of Russian Orthodox Church in Africa to membership

SAСC General Secretary Malusi Mpumlwana. Photo: news24.com

The Council of Churches of South Africa (SACC) welcomes the decision of the Russian Orthodox Church to establish a Patriarchal Exarchate in Africa, reports urdupoint.com quoting Bishop of the Ethiopian Episcopal Church Malusi Mpumlwana, SACC General Secretary.

“SACC welcomes all Churches and would definitely be open to membership of the ROC if it met the requirements for South African membership,” Mpumlwana said.

He noted that the South African province of Guateng, where Johannesburg and Pretoria are located, “is best placed to host” the Patriarchal Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa (recall that the diocesan bishop of the South African diocese should have the title “of Johannesburg and South Africa”).

“I am not sure what their needs would be that require our assistance; but as a member of WCC (World Council of Churches) they can call on us for advice as needed,” added the SACC General Secretary.

The South African Council of Churches is an interfaith forum in the Republic of South Africa. In addition to a number of Protestant denominations, it includes the Alexandrian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church.

The UOJ wrote that the Exarch of the Russian Orthodox Church spoke about the main steps of the Orthodox mission in Africa.

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