This year, the Assembly was unique in the sense that it coincided with the celebration of 50 years of the existence of the AACC, and Sunday, 9 June 2013 was the climax of the AACC Golden Jubilee celebration.

The Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria was represented by the Dean, Prof Johan Buitendag. He drafted the report of the subcommittee on climate change entailing the different proposals of eco justice. This became a resolution of the AACC.

Other members of the Faculty were Prof Nelus Niemandt, Head of the Department of Science of Religion and Missiology, who partook in the liturgy of the final day; Prof Thias Kgatla of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) and Prof Maake Masango of the Uniting Presbyterian Church of South Africa (UPCSA) representing their respective churches. Prof Masango was the chairperson of the whole ecumenical gathering and arranged several lecturers to address young ecumenists in the areas of leadership, ecumenical work and pastoral care. He also engaged in dialogue with Dr John Mbiti about the journey of the ecumenical work, during which they invited former General Secretaries to share experiences of their work in the AACC. Dr Mbiti’s book, The Concept of God in Africa, was launched at the Assembly.

Also in attendance were dignitaries like the Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, who holds high position in several ecumenical organisations in his country; the Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali of the Church of Uganda, who is also the chairperson of the Uganda Joint Christian Council; and Senator Sekai Holland, Zimbabwe’s Co-Minister of State for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration. The President of the AACC, Archbishop Valentine Mokiwa of Tanzania, reminded those present that the organisation was formed to accompany the countries of the continent during their transitions to independence. “We are challenged to be each other’s keepers”, he said. As the AACC celebrated its 50^th anniversary, it also looked back on five successful years since its last assembly in 2008, in Maputo.

Click here to read an article by the World Council of Churches on how Churches seek life, peace, justice and dignity for Africa.