The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe has signed a partnership agreement with the Anglican Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania that could see individuals or groups from both dioceses visiting one another over the next five years to witness and share in work for the Kingdom and supporting one another through prayer, resources and skilled personnel.
The document was signed at the Derry & Raphoe Diocesan Synod, on Wednesday 23rd October 2024, by Rt Andrew Forster, Rt Rev Dr Given Gaula (Bishop of Kondoa), and the Mission Director of CMS Ireland, Jenny Smyth.
Bishop Andrew described the partnership as a “companionship link”. In committing to it, the two dioceses have agreed to pray regularly for one another’s work; maintain regular contact through a named link person; and offer opportunities for individuals and groups to visit and join in with the life and work of the church in the other jurisdiction.
The people of Kondoa survive mainly through subsistence farming and are overwhelmingly Muslim. Despite this, Bishop Given has succeeded in growing the Church in the area through what he has described as “aggressive evangelising”, raising church membership there to more than 25,000.
Among his aspirations for the link with Derry & Raphoe are assistance with the training of new clergy for his diocese and the provision of safe, clean water supplies for local people.
In his Presidential Address to this year’s Synod, which had ‘partnership’ as its theme, Bishop Andrew spoke of his excitement about the new relationship. “Today, we are stepping out – reaching out – in faith,” he said, “as we inaugurate a new companionship link with the Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania.” Bishop Andrew, who first met Bishop Given at the Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops in 2022, said it was a great personal pleasure to welcome his counterpart to our synod.
“I am tremendously excited by this joint initiative,” Bishop Forster told delegates. “My prayer for our partnership is that we will spur each other on in mission and evangelism, and that our new relationship will prove mutually beneficial.”
Bishop Andrew Presented Dr Gaula with a number of gifts, including a copy of the Book of Common Prayer and a plaque bearing the Diocesan crest.
