Bishop David and Carol Beetge of the Highveld,
visited Monmouth diocese for a week in July. They met the link group, clergy, parishioners and schoolchildren - and they answered a lot of questions.
Bishop David, before we talk about the link between our two dioceses, would you say something about how you see the Anglican Communion today?
First of all, if you haven’t read the Windsor report, then do. If you have read it, then re-read it!
One of the greatest dangers we face today is fundamentalism, whether fundamentalism of creed or secular fundamentalism, and that tends to push us towards extremes. But Anglicanism is not extreme, it is a ‘via media’, a middle way. It is not a centralised authority or a federation but a mystical communion and we are trying to work out an understanding of what that means - ‘mist’ is not easy to get hold of! The developing relationship between our two dioceses is helping us grasp what communion is.
A middle way is not weak or wishy-washy, it is about a patient, prayerful listening to each other and to allow that to happen the Communion needs a time of ‘holy waiting’.
Carol, or ‘Mother Carol’ as you are known in your diocese, we have met Bishop David before but this is your first visit, what is your impression of Wales?
It is so beautiful, all this green open space. Where we live, we look out onto a 6 foot high security fence, and everywhere is dry and dusty.
Would you tell us something about your work as a nurse?
I run a government clinic in Benoni, not far from where we live. It is free of charge and provides mother and child facilities such as a healthy baby clinic, immunisations, nutritional supplements, as well as treating chronic and routine illnesses. We don’t deliver babies (except in emergency) and we don’t carry out abortions. We have a doctor at the clinic for two hours twice a week.
About 45% of our work is the Baby Clinic. Many of the under-fives are 2-3 kg underweight – malnutrition is one of the five major causes of death in children, the other four being HIV, TB, diarrhoea and pneumonia. Also, many of the parents come from north of the border and don’t have documentation, so it is very difficult for them to get access to the help they need.
We see 500-800 pregnant women a month. All of them are offered testing for HIV. About 90% of those will agree to be tested and of those 30-40% will be positive. Treatment means we can reduce their baby’s risk of being HIV positive to about 20%. We run a programme of ‘Wellness Management’ for those who are HIV positive but we do not provide ARV drugs – patients go to the hospital for those.
We also diagnose and treat TB patients. TB is on the increase, largely because it is an opportunistic disease and so it tends to attack those already weakened by HIV. This means that cure rates are going down because patients can’t take the drugs when they are sick or hungry. Also there is a stigma attached to it because people assume a TB patient must also be HIV positive, so patients won’t come for treatment.
This all seems very bleak, is there any sign of hope?
At least there is a programme of healthcare now. At the moment it is still dealing with the problems inherent from the lack of provision in the past.
Bishop David, our Lent Appeal raised money for feeding stations for children. Can you tell us something about that?
I was overwhelmed by the amount that you raised – more than £23,000. I plan to set up an Feeding Station Endowment Fund as well as extend the number of feeding stations.
This will make a real difference to children’s lives. There are now 6,400 registered orphans. Many children survive on porridge and they are severely underweight. Now we can assist in giving them a more balanced diet and increase the numbers we are supporting.
This improves their chances of education – a hungry child does not learn well. As well as the feeding station programme we have eight pre-schools in the diocese, because in their immediate environment the children have no stimulation but we believe that if we have them for two years before they start school then they start on a par with everyone else.
You and Bishop Dominic have both said you would like the link to continue beyond its first five years, how do you see it developing?
Yes, I take great delight in our vibrant partnership, and there are many who see it as a model of how such partnerships should work.
I do not see the link as being primarily about money although that is an expression of our link. The link can make a difference to the lives of many people very quickly. I remember the boxes of teddy bears that arrived on our doorstep once, and the look on the faces of children who had never seen a teddy before. And the packets of seeds – there are Welsh leeks growing all over the Highveld!
Parish to parish links are important, and exchange visits help us get to know each other, to share our stories. We are called to be in a right relationship with God and in a right relationship with each other. It is then that we have what the gospel is really all about. The visits between our two peoples are establishing such relationships and we are able to see in each other the image of God.
But the heart of our link is prayer. Never underestimate the power of our prayerful, loving support of each other. Your prayer cycle is on the weekly notice sheet I send out to my parishes. Mind you, if you think African names are hard to pronounce, you should hear how Welsh names are pronounced in Zulu!
You have talked about the difference our Lent Appeal and Harvest projects have made - can you suggest a suitable Harvest project for 2007?
Well, we would welcome more seeds to replace those already grown. And our pre-school groups are always needing pencils, crayons and writing pads.
What memories of Wales will you both take back to South Africa?
Carol and I will take back so many wonderful memories of our time here. We have been overwhelmed by the loving hospitality and generosity of everyone we have met. Our time with Bishop Dominic and the Diocese has been very special and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has helped organise our visit.
You have patiently answered our questions. Is there anything you would like to add?
Each of us is called to stand in the place of Christ in our own situation and context. The link can assist us in that task and can remind us of the joy that it is to be part of God’s church in this way.