THE CHURCH of the PROVINCE of SOUTHERN AFRICA 

 

The first bishop in South Africa was appointed in 1847, but the present province includes several dioceses outside the Republic of South Africa, the most recent being the new diocese of Angola.  Manchester is twinned with the diocese of Namibia and there have been several exchange visits between the two dioceses involving at least two former members of our own congregation.   Following the retirement of Desmond Tutu’s successor (how time flies!), a new Archbishop of Cape Town was appointed towards the end of last year.  He is Thabo Makgoba, previously Bishop of Grahamstown.    The Church of the Province of Southern Africa has some twenty-three dioceses and around 2,000,000 members, but since 2001 there has been a parallel Anglican Church in South Africa known as the Ethiopian Episcopal Church.  It is descended from an independent church which sought validity for its ordinations from the Province of Southern Africa, and remains in full communion with the province despite having a separate organisation of five dioceses.   However, the body known as the Church of England in South Africa is not an Anglican Church, nor is it recognised by the Church of England.

 

GAD