National Religious Leaders Forum and National Inter-Faith Leadership Council unite.

The leadership of both the National Religious Leaders Forum (NRLF) and the National inter-faith Leadership Council (NILC) are pleased to announce that they have united to form one Body – the National Inter-Faith Council of South Africa (NIFC- SA).

At a meeting in Johannesburg today attended by Faith Leaders and Religious Leaders representing African Traditional Practice, Baha’i, Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Jewish Communities of South Africa, the desire was expressed for one representative group that could bring faith and religious leaders together for the Common Good of all South Africans, joint witness, poverty alleviation and better relationships between communities and with Parliament, Government and the Business Communities.

Acknowledging that over 80% of South Africans can be broadly classified as members of faith-based communities, the leadership groups agreed to form one body with a common vision, a constitution that was agreed on in principle and a structure.

Archbishop Buti Tlhagale and Pastor Ray McCauley were elected interim co-chairmen of the Organising Committee that will oversee the finalization of the Constitution and the organization of a Plenary Meeting of Faith and Religious Leaders where a Leadership Structure would be elected for a period of 2 years.

Pastor McCauley stated that ‘we acknowledge a unity in diversity, a gathering of gifts that is important for the future of the Country. We cannot ask the country to unite if we don’t provide example. Archbishop Tlhagale spoke of the need to work together for the common good, common moral standards and for the poor.

(Press release from SACBC. Used with permission.)