A conference of Seventh-day Adventist lawyers from throughout Africa was a first for the African continent.

Religious liberty, the legal status of church properties and establishing legal offices were among several issues discussed at a conference of Seventh-day Adventist lawyers from throughout Africa meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on February 26.

Lawyers reviewed their role in serving the church in increasingly complicated operational governance throughout Africa, and compared notes on common concerns regarding religious liberty issues in the country. The activities of the day included legal presentations dealing with church-state relations, responsibilities of lawyers when representing the church in the public and civic arena, as well as the value of legal counsel to the church.

According to Attorney Robert E. Kyte, chief legal counsel for the Adventist world church headquarters, the "lawyers expressed their strong support for the church and its mission, and that they are committed to be of service to the denomination through their expertise, whether they are in private practice or working as legal counsel for a church organization."

In Africa, Adventist lawyers face acute issues in a number of countries, and particularly expressed concerns of mandatory professional examinations, which are slated on Saturday (Sabbath), the day of rest and spiritual enrichment for Jews and Seventh-day Adventists.

Attorney Priscille Metonou from Ivory Coast said that the conference emphasized, "how important it is to recognize that many of our legal issues need to be tackled head on." She singled out the legality of church property. Unless the issue is resolved, property may be lost. "For this reason we are realizing, in our territories, that there is a need to establish legal offices in each administrative organization."

Sponsored by the world church's Office of General Counsel (OGC), the Lawyers conference, a first for the African continent, was attended by 45 lawyers and judges from various parts of Africa.

"We are learning from others about their own challenges and mistakes and wish to ensure that our church does not turn a blind eye to misconduct that harms our members," said Attorney James Standish, from the world church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.

"There was very positive feedback from the lawyers in attendance," Kyte said. "Such a meeting provides an important forum to discuss a joint approach to issues in an ever complex world of church-state relations, as well as providing an opportunity to network within the profession and expertise sharing on issues that are particularly acute to the church and its members."

Kyte said that more such consultations are planned in different parts of the world. [Editors: Rajmund Dabrowski and Christian B. Schäffler for ANN/APD]

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Legal counsel to the Church

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church provides legal services to church entities located within the Adventist Church world headquarters office complex in Silver Spring, Maryland (USA).

The OGC was established in 1936 with the appointment of Judge Millward C. Taft, formerly a U.S. state’s attorney (Vermont) and probate judge (Maryland). Its current structure dates from 1993.

The six staff lawyers serve both General Conference and North American Division administration, departments, and services. Each lawyer has assignments covering specific areas of law or specific administrative or departmental offices. Major areas include corporate, tax, pension, trust & estate, constitutional, religious liberty, employment, and immigration law and litigation.

Web Site: http://www.adventistlawyer.org/

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