STATEMENT ON THE RESIGNATION OF REVD. DR. MVUME DANDALA
The Office of the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) today, 16 February 2009, received and acknowledged with regret a notice of resignation from ministry by the Reverend Dr. Mvume Dandala.
The Reverend Dandala has served the MCSA with distinction for many years as an ordained clergy person and from 1998 to 2003 as its Presiding Bishop. Dr. Dandala has also served the ecumenical movement first as the President of the South African Council of Churches and more recently the All Africa Conference of Churches as its General Secretary.
Dr. Dandala has sought counsel from many senior leaders within the Church and has wrestled with his decision to enter into the political arena as a full time politician.
While the MCSA believes that the Lordship of Jesus Christ extends to all of life, including political, social and economic areas of our existence such Lordship also obliges Clergy to "examine their consciences whether to be seen to be members of any political party."
Accordingly, we have no doubt about Dr. Dandala's sincerity and ability to pursue a political career and recognize his Constitutional right to engage the political arena with his faith convictions.
While we respect and understand Dr Dandala's decision to join the newly established political party, we wish to state categorically that the MCSA remains nonpartisan to party politics.
Issued by:
Bishop Ivan M Abrahams
Presiding Bishop
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