About the Diocese of Grahamstown (Anglican Church of Southern Africa)

The Anglican Diocese of Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa was founded over 150 years ago in 1853. Ebenezer St Mark Ntlali is the Bishop. More about Bishop Ebenezer ...

Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali leads out nine new Deacons after the ordination service at the Cathedral on 22 May 2010.

Ordination of Deacons, 22 May 2010

Fire at St Patrick's Hogsback

A fire broke out on the night of Sunday 20 June at the Chapel of St Patrick-on-the-Hill, Hogsback. The building was burnt to the ground, with only the walls standing.

Please pray for the congregation at Hogsback, and for Margaret Fourie, the priest. Trevor Webster, the Warden, wrote: "We feel devastated. A sad day indeed! But God has a plan for us and will show us the way forward."

The Diocesan Office is collecting donations towards the rebuilding and restoration of St Patrick's.
The banking details are:
Account Diocese of Grahamstown, Number 5232 1144 702
First National Bank Grahamstown, Code 210717
Please mark deposit slips "for Hogsback Church" and fax to the Diocesan Office, 046 622 5231.

Death of the Revd Gloria Smith

The Revd Gloria Smith of Gonubie, near East London, died early in the morning of 2 June after a courageous battle with cancer. Please pray for her husband, the Revd Ed Smith, their son David and daughter, Susan, son-in-law and grandchildren. Gloria's funeral will take place on Saturday 5 June at 11:00 am at St Martin's Gonubie.

Vacancy from end of 2010: Holy Trinity Parish, King William's Town

The Revd Charles Lagan, Rector of Holy Trinity King William's Town, will be retiring at the end of 2010. The parish invites applications from priests interested in filling the position of Rector from January 2011. Parish and Rector Details.Those interested in applying may contact the convenor of the search committee, Mr John Allwood, Email: johnallwood96@gmail.com

Archbishop of Cape Town thanks those addressing Human Trafficking ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, has issued a Statement on Human Trafficking.

Statement by the ACSA Bishops on the imprisonment of Stephen Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in Malawi

The Bishops of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa have issued a statement on the sentencing of two gay men in Malawi to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour, after they shared in a traditional ceremony of engagement.

65th Session of the Synod of the Diocese of Grahamstown

The Synod of the Diocese met from 20-23 April 2010, at St Alban's Church East London.
For more about the Synod, with photos, click here.
The Charge of Bishop Ebenezer St Mark Ntlali to the Synod can be read here.
The full Minutes of the proceedings can be read here.

Pastoral Letter to all South Africans from Archbishop Thabo Makgoba

On 7 April 2010, following the murder of Eugene Terre'Blanche, the Archbishop of Cape Town issued a Pastoral Letter to all South Africans. To read it, click here.

New Diocese of Ukhahlamba: Bishop installed

The new Diocese, inaugurated on 3 October 2009, was formed out of the two northern Archdeaconries of Grahamstown Diocese.
Archbishop Makgoba installed the Right Revd Mazwi Ernest Tisani as the first Bishop of Ukhahlamba, on 24 April 2010, in the newly-designated Cathedral of St Michael and All Angels, Queenstown.
For pictures of the Inauguration of the Diocese on 3 October Click here
For a map and history of events leading up to the multiplication Click here.

"Anglicans against Apartheid" by Bob Clarke: Pre-Easter special offer

For a limited period only - this title will be available @ R75.00 per copy. Order from the Publishing Committee office at: publish@anglicanchurchsa.org.za,or directly from Cluster Publications: sales@clusterpublications.co.za, or Tel (033) 345 9897 or Fax (033) 345 9894. For further information about this title, click here.

Statement from the Synod of Bishops, 8-11 February 2010

The Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) gathered with the Diocese of Swaziland in the blessing of their new Conference Suite at Thokoza (Joy), the Anglican Conference Centre in Swaziland... More

Statement from the Synod of Bishops on Uganda's draft Anti-homosexuality Bill

In response to the publication of a draft "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" by the Ugandan Parliament, the ACSA Synod of Bishops, meeting in Swaziland in February 2010, issued a Statement.

Earthquake in Haiti

The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Revd Dr Thabo Cecil Makgoba, has appealed to members of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa to donate generously following the earthquake of 12 January 2010. To read the Archbishop's appeal, click here.

For the text of a letter from Rt Revd Jean-Zaché Duracin, Episcopal Bishop of Haiti, written two weeks after the earthquake, click here.

Archbishop Makgoba has also endorsed the "Africa for Haiti" Campaign

The Archbishop of Cape Town's eyewitness account of his visit to Haiti in March can be read here

December 2009 Ordination

On 16 December 2009, Bishop Ebenezer ordained three deacons and five priests
from the Dioceses of Grahamstown and Ukhahlamba. To see pictures Click here

Vacant Parish: St John East London

A Rector is sought for the vacant parish of St John East London. To read the parish profile, Click here

Memoirs of Canon Nancy Charton published

Nancy Charton, one of the first women to be ordained priest in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, and an Honorary Canon of Grahamstown Cathedral, has published her memoirs under the title "The Calling". The book was originally published privately in a very limited edition, but has now been edited by Dr Wilhelm (Billy) Meyer and reissued by Cluster Publications. Nancy Charton has had a long and varied life, and has gone through many experiences including abuse as a child, mental illness and a period of complete atheism. This book records her walk of faith, her involvement with the social issues of the day, and makes fascinating reading. It can be ordered from Cluster Publications for R99 (plus postage). To read more detail, and to order, Click here

"Taking one step at a time" by John Cooper

Selected poems and writings by John Cooper, a priest of the Diocese of Grahamstown who died in 2005, have been published by his widow Dr Vivien Cooper, of P O Box 2067, Beacon Bay 5205, Tel.082 782 3326.
Price: R90, of which R20 will go towards Diocesan HIV/AIDS work.
It is also available from St Nicholas' Church, Beacon Bay, P O Box 2518, Beacon Bay 5205. Tel. 043 748 6100. More...

Statements on current issues

For earlier articles and statements click on "Articles" on the black stripe at the top of the page.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba's blog

To read Archbishop Thabo Makgoba's latest letter to the people of God, "To the Laos" click on the link on the grey stripe at the side of the page.