Categories News New Province Adopts Constitution Post date 8th Sep 2021 The newly-approved province of the Anglican Communion, Igreja Anglicana de Mocambique e Angola (IAMA), has adopted its Constitution and Canons at a special synod, and will be formally inaugurated on September 24. Bishop Carlos Matsinhe of Lebombo will be the Acting Presiding Bishop of the new province and Bishop Andre Soares of Angola the Dean of the Province. The special synod was held on September 1, the day ACSA commemorates its founding bishop, Robert Gray. It was presided over by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba in his capacity as Metropolitan of ACSA. “I am delighted for this journey of faith, planting another province within the Anglican Communion,” he said after the completion of the special synod. “We look forward to the Archbishop of Canterbury inaugurating the new province and welcoming the Acting Presiding Bishop. Since the vision for a new Portuguese-speaking province was first mentioned in my charge to our 2019 Provincial Synod, we have moved from four dioceses to nine. “Although nothing replaces eyeball-to-eyeball contact, we have managed to conduct the process virtually. We are grateful that it has been possible to do it efficiently and cost-effectively.” On August 18, the Most Revd Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the Secretary General of the Communion, wrote to Archbishop Thabo informing him that more than two-thirds of the Primates of the Communion had approved an application for independent provincial status for IAMA. “All that remains,” he concluded, “is for me to celebrate with you in the birth of the new province, pray for its leaders and people, and for you and your staff as you prepare for the synods and inauguration.” IAMA has Portuguese as its common language. The first diocese in Lusophone Africa was Lebombo, which was established in 1893. Anglican missionary work began in Angola in the 1920s but a missionary diocese was established as part of the Southern African province only in 2003. The church in Mozambique and Angola has grown rapidly in recent years. To the four founding dioceses of the new Province – the dioceses of Lebombo, Niassa and Nampula in Mozambique – and the Diocese of Angola-Good Shepherd – are being added new dioceses in both countries. These are, in in Mozambique, the dioceses of Maciene, Inhambane, Pungue River and the missionary dioceses of Tete and Zambezia, and in Angola the Diocese of Christ the King-Uige and the missionary dioceses of the Divine Hope and of Central and South Angola. The special synod was addressed by the bishops of the founding dioceses and by the retired Bishop of Lebombo, the Right Revd Dinis Sengulane, who served from from 1976 to 2014. Overseas partners – including the USPG – were represented, as was the Lusitanian Church by Bishop Jorge Pina Cabral. The new province will be inaugurated at the end of ACSA’s forthcoming Provincial Synod. The elections of bishops for the new dioceses will take place between March and May of 2022. (Illustrations: Maps of Angola and Mozambique, showing existing and new dioceses; Representatives from both countries, as well as partners and ACSA officials, joined the special synod online from churches, halls, offices and homes; and the IAMA crest.) ← “Anglicans Vaccinate” – A major new Provincial initiative → 2022 Lectionary News 4 replies on “New Province Adopts Constitution” We are all very happy about the development and continue to lift the New Province in our Prayers that God the Trinity may shower them with all they need and aspire to be able to spread the Mission and Ministry of the Church. Congratulations to you all people of God. May the Almighty Father provide your New Province with everything necessary for its growth. May the Lord be with you Acting Presiding Bishop Rt. Rev. Carlos. Congratulations to the Bishops, Clergy and lay faithfuls of the new province of IAMA. God bless you all. Congratulations to you all children of God. God has blessed you with a wonderful and precious gift. May He give you strength and love to protect it. You are blessed indeed. Leave a Reply Cancel replyComments are moderated and may take a few days to appear. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Δ
We are all very happy about the development and continue to lift the New Province in our Prayers that God the Trinity may shower them with all they need and aspire to be able to spread the Mission and Ministry of the Church.
Congratulations to you all people of God. May the Almighty Father provide your New Province with everything necessary for its growth. May the Lord be with you Acting Presiding Bishop Rt. Rev. Carlos.
Congratulations to the Bishops, Clergy and lay faithfuls of the new province of IAMA. God bless you all.
Congratulations to you all children of God. God has blessed you with a wonderful and precious gift. May He give you strength and love to protect it. You are blessed indeed.