Bishop Dominic writes
I want to share with you some of the highlights of my visit to the Diocese of the Highveld in South Africa. I only wish that you could all have come with me!
It was my second visit to our link diocese, and I stayed with Bishop David and Mrs Carol Beetge. I was however, not the only one from Monmouth to be escaping the snow and enjoying the Highveld sunshine and met up with Father Patrick Coleman from Abertillery and Mary Beckley from Bettws at Benoni Cathedral.
When I arrived in South Africa, Adelaide Tambo (widow of ANC leader Oliver) had just died. She was a ‘Queen Mother’ figure in South Africa and had spent 30 years in exile in England working as a hospital sister. She was a member of the Highveld diocese and so her Requiem took place in her parish church. It lasted over three hours and I found the most moving part was when the hundreds of members of the Mothers’ Union linked arms around the coffin and sang a farewell to their fellow member.
The following day, the open air funeral took place led by the Archbishop of Cape Town and attended by President Mbeki, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and ten thousand others.
I spent a day with the Revd Lynn Coull who co-ordinates the diocesan work with those affected or infected with HIV/AIDS. We visited some of the sufferers and carers and a church where a group of young people are being trained as health visitors.
Hilary Benn, the British Secretary of State for Overseas Development was in the diocese looking at the work with HIV/AIDS patients under the auspices of the Church. After his visit the good news was received that the UK Government are to grant £60 million over five years for the work in southern Africa. Just as I left Bishop David left for Washington to seek additional funding from the US Government. It was good to see the church taking such a role in facing the pandemic.
At the Highveld Diocesan Office I witnessed people sorting out boxes of wool, clothing and packets of seeds that had been sent from our diocese. They were really delighted to have it. I distributed some of the packets of seeds myself and saw how some that had been sent earlier are growing well in the Highveld soil. I only hope they enjoy leeks as much as the Welsh.
On my last visit I saw a new school being established by Archdeacon Sharron Dinnie for children from an ‘informal settlement’. They had no books or qualified teachers and huge classes. On this visit I found that the school had been recognised, had qualified teachers and more classrooms. Some of the funding had come from the United States and two of the children had been invited to the White House along with Archdeacon Sharron and had their pictures taken with President and Mrs Bush.
The main purpose of my visit was to lead the Clergy Retreat so I spent five days with 55 clergy and the Offices and Eucharist each day were sung in various languages and with much enthusiasm. It was good to meet them and I think it did much to strengthen our diocesan link.
On the Sunday I was there I preached at a Eucharist in a church on a black township. The service lasted well over three hours and I only preached for 30 minutes! There were over 500 people there and they are extending the church to accommodate the growing congregation.
On other days, I travelled with Bishop David and saw where they are planning to move the Diocesan and Bishop’s Offices to the Cathedral where they also plan to have a theological education centre. We made visits including one to a dying priest and stopped at various churches where they are building extensions. I also met with their Monmouth Link Group and there was an evening for those who have visited us which was hosted by Bishop David and Carol who hope to visit us before too long. Many people sent greeting to those from our diocese whom they have met and they asked me to pass on the thanks for the money that had been sent following the Dukatole fire. It has made a great difference in rebuilding people’s homes and lives.
At Katlehong, one of the black townships I learned that the parish feeds the children once a week to try and give them the vitamins and protein that is lacking in the diet of poor people. The parish is only able to afford this once a week, so I hope that the money raised from our Lent Appeal will enable them to feed the children on other days as well.
We are fortunate to be linked with a diocese that is so ably led by Bishop David. They face huge social problems associated with poverty and HIV/AIDS but their churches are full and growing. The people have a lively and enthusiastic faith and I hope that the exchange visits, our parish and school links and daily prayer for one another will continue to strengthen our commitment to one another within the Anglican Communion.
+ Dominic