Author: Diakonia Church Administration

“Our souls, soil and society need healing. But first we need to lance the boils to release the ugliness within. This is the way of the crucifixion on the cross, a terribly painful experience.” Methodist Bishop of the Natal Coastal District, Mike Vorster, told thousands of worshippers while delivering the sermon during the early morning…

South Africans have allowed themselves to believe in the myths of Ubuntu and the ‘rainbow nation’ and these have prevented the nation from moving forward in addressing racism. This is according to Teresa Oakley-Smith, Founder and Managing Director of Diversi-T. Oakley-Smith was facilitating transformative conversations on racism organised by Diakonia Council of Churches on 29…

A plaque commemorating the first Diakonia Good Friday service was unveiled at the remaining wall of the former Durban Central Prison, on 1 April. The unveiling coincided with the 30th Anniversary of the annual ecumenical early morning service. It was on 5 April 1985 when the first ecumenical Good Friday service procession wound its way…

Methodist Bishop of the Natal Coastal District, Mike Vorster, has been conferred with the Diakonia Human Rights Award for being a true servant of God and champion of the poor and marginalised who has worked tirelessly to bring God’s love and compassion to the “least of these”. Bishop Vorster, who was recently honoured as a…

Social cohesion comes through narrowing the distance between black and white, closing the gap between rich and poor, and giving hope to the hopeless. This is according to Yaa Ashantewaa Archer-Ngidi, Founder and Director of the Institute of Afrikology. Archer-Ngidi was delivering the annual Diakonia Lecture under the theme Creating a socially cohesive society, on…

Former Methodist Bishop of Johannesburg and veteran human rights activist, Revd Dr Paul Verryn has urged the church not to make Karl Marx’s dictum that religion is the opium of the people, come true. Dr Verryn was addressing the Diakonia Annual Meeting under the theme “Churches and church groups as social justice hubs and centres…