Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

Sentencing to death of Sudanese woman condemned by Church

Following the sentencing to death of a pregnant Sudanese woman for refusing to abandon her Christian faith, the Anglican Archbishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia are calling on all people of good-will to raise their voices.

Archbishops Brown Turei, Philip Richardson, and Winston Halapua, say it is hard to find words to describe the plight of the woman. The Archbishops believe people across all faiths, who seek charity, love, and justice, will find the court’s decision hateful and heartless.

Meriam Ibrahim and her Christian husband were married in 2011. They have an 18-month-old son. A court, in the Sudan capital of Khartoum, has sentenced Meriam to flogging for marrying a non-Muslim and to death for abandoning the Muslim faith for Christianity.

The conversion of Muslims to other religions is a criminal act in Sudan’s penal system.

The Archbishops are asking people to pray but also to voice their abhorrence.

Archbishop Philip Richardson says voices from New Zealand through prayer and opposition can join in a much-needed global condemnation.

“As Archbishops we are also calling on the New Zealand government to express its immediate concern, none of us can sit by when such action can be ordered
through a court system in any land.”

The Archbishops are encouraging communities of faith throughout New Zealand
to pray that a resolution can be found, to hold in prayer those of all faiths in Sudan and those who fear for their lives because of their beliefs.

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