The Anglican-Catholic tradition is associated with shiny chalices, vestments, and a love for rituals. This love for beauty and ritual challenges the churches in poor communities. How do we justify such beauty when the people in our neighbouring communities are unemployed, cold, and starving? Priests such as E.B Pusey and F.D Maurice challenged Christians to do their part:

E.B Pusey’s view was, “we dare not deck our walls with pictures, while

[humans], the image of God, and a representation of Christ, is not clothed”.

and

F.D Maurice believed that Christian responsibility not only cares for the poor

but also asks why they are poor in the first place.

As a school it is:

Our duty to share our facilities and resources with disadvantaged schools

and their pupils so that they too may grow into contributing members of our

society and be able to take responsibility in the world of possibilities and

opportunities that will open to them (Educational philosophy 6.6).

The Anglican (Anglo-Catholic) High Church tradition became known for its

association with the poor. Their view in the church was that the poor are

worthy of worship in beautiful places. As the saying goes: the most beautiful

things are for the poorest in our midst.

The church, inspired by the beauty of its worship, is committed to and

embraces serving the poor. The poor deserve the best of everything, not

only bread but also roses.

REVD RAKGADI KHOBO
CHAPLAIN