My dear Paddy
I have just returned from the Diocese of Swaziland where I spent a weekend accompanied by Bishops Anthony Mdletshe and Funginkosi Mbhele.
I have had separate meetings with the Diocesan Council, Diocesan Finance Committee, the clergy of the Diocese and the Diocesan Chapter. I have also met with Bishop Mabuza, the auditors and the external partners of the Diocese of Swaziland. On Saturday we ordained two priests and six members of the laity were made deacon. On Sunday Bishop Mbhele, Bishop Mdletshe and I did three Confirmation services.
Bishop Mabuza has resigned and retired. I have appointed the Provost as Vicar-General after consultation with Chapter. I have also asked Bishops Mbhele and Mdletshe to take three months in turn to offer episcopal ministry, beginning on February 1 until the Elective Assembly in July this year. The Diocesan Finance Committee, Vicar-General, and Diocesan Administrator will work on the renumeration of Bishops Mbhele and Mdletshe during this six month period. Mr Rob Rogerson will assist if necessary in drawing up a budget.
The Diocese of Swaziland is in a healthy state in spite of all the challenges it went through. Bishop Mabuza must be congratulated and complimented for his effective leadership. We wish him a happy and blessed retirement.
I will issue a mandate for the Elective Assembly at an appropriate time.
Yours in the service of Christ
+Thabo Cape Town
From The Times of Swaziland (http://www.times.co.sz/) - Corrected Version
MBABANE – Anglican Church Archbishop Thabo Makgoba was in the country at the All Saints Cathedral Church Hall in Mbabane this weekend. He ordained two priests and six deacons on Saturday.
Archbishop Makgoba is the leader of all Anglican Churches in the Southern African region and is based in South Africa. Some of the notable figures who attended the event included High Court Judge Justice Qinisile Mabuza, Reverend Percy Mngomezulu and Director of Public Prosecutions Mumcy Dlamini.
The Archbishop also announced two South African Bishops who will become overseers of the local church after the retirement of Bishop Meshack Mabuza. The two are Funginkosi Mbhele and Anthony Mdletshe.
The event, which lasted for the whole day, was also attended by close friends and relatives of the new priests. The new priests will be stationed at the various Anglican Churches around the kingdom. After they were ordained, the priests and deacons took canonical vows in which they promised to uphold the values of the gospel, respect the leadership of the church and not discriminate in their ministry. They were congratulated by close family members and some of the congregants. They were, however, strictly warned not to abuse their offices by doing things that would be against the will of God.
Thabo Makgoba is the Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa
