The Anglican Church of Southern Africa has called for prayer and vigilance after an armed robbery disrupted a church service in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg. According to TimesLIVE, armed robbers entered the Anglican Church of St Mary the Virgin during a Divine Service on Sunday, leaving congregants and church leaders shaken.

The incident has added to concerns about safety in places of worship, where people gather expecting peace, not violence. In this case, the service was interrupted by a criminal act that church leaders described in strong terms.

Church leadership condemns attack

Dean of the province and provincial vicar-general Bishop Stephen Diseko condemned the robbery and said the church had learnt “with disgust” of the attack. He said armed robbers entered and disrupted the service, and extended sympathy to Bishop Mkhuseli Sobantwana, the congregation of St Mary the Virgin and the wider diocese.

Diseko said the attack was not just a local issue, but something that affected the broader church community. He described the congregation as traumatised and said they had lost belongings during the ordeal. His message made clear that the robbery had left emotional as well as material damage behind.

Call for prayers and tighter safety

The bishop urged church members across the province and beyond to pray for those affected. He specifically asked people to uphold Bishop Sobantwana, the diocese and the congregation of St Mary the Virgin in prayer as they deal with the aftermath.

He also called on parishes, chapelries and mission stations to be more cautious when gathering for worship. According to TimesLIVE, Diseko urged churches to implement precautionary and preventive measures suited to their own situations to help prevent and stop criminal activity.

Support promised as questions remain

Diseko assured the Ennerdale congregation that the province stood in solidarity with them and would continue to pray for healing, restoration and recovery. That support may matter deeply in the days ahead as the church community processes a deeply unsettling event.

Authorities had not released further details on the robbery at the time of publication, and TimesLIVE reported that it was not yet clear whether any arrests had been made. For now, the attack stands as another reminder that violent crime can reach even the most sacred spaces.