29th February, 2008

The Rt Revd Dr Valentino Mokiwa is to be the next Arcbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania

Members of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, at its special session in Dodoma on Thursday February 28th, 2008, elected the Rt Revd Dr Valentino Mokiwa, Bishop of Dar es Salaam to be the next, and fifth, Primate for the Province.

20th February, 2008

Election of the New Primate for the Province

Members of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Tanzania will meet on Thursday February 28th, 2008, at a special session in Dodoma to elect the new Primate for the Province. The members will come from 21 Dioceses, with each Diocese sending five delegates (a Diocesan Bishop, two clergy and two lay persons). Two Dioceses (Zanzibar and South West Tanganyika) have no bishops at the present time, but will send clergy and lay delegates.

The General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Tanzania will issue a press statement to inform the public of the name of the new Primate immediately after the election. The new Primate will be installed on Sunday May 25, 2008 in Dodoma, Central Tanzania where the Provincial Office is located.

The election is taking place because the current Primate, the Most Reverend Donald Leo Mtetemela’s time in office is coming to an end after serving the Province as Primate since 1998. Election of a Primate takes place every five years, but the Primate may only serve two terms of five years each.

28th October 2007

A Very Special Service of Thanks for the Ordination to the Priesthood of Rev. Jacob Kahemele

On Sunday 28th of October 2007 a special service of thanks was held at All Saints Cathedral in Dodoma for the ordination of Rev. Jacob Kahemele to the Priesthood. Jacob is currently Acting Administrator for the Provincial Office of the Anglican Church of Tanzania. The Right Rev. Dr. Valentino Mokiwa, bishop of Dar es Salaam preached at the service. In addition to bishop Mokiwa, there were some very special guests to the party and celebration afterwards. With support from his fellow office colleagues, Jacob decided to invite and provide food and gifts for over 300 orphans, street children, widows and beggars who can often be found around Dodoma city centre. The Holy Spirit’s presence was felt as so many who are normally excluded from such celebrations were invited as ‘Guests of honour’. Presents were distributed at the end of the celebration for those in need, including nutritional porridge flour, soap, school equipment and clothes. The event was such a success that the staff of ACT provincial office plan to hold more of these celebrations with the needy in the future. 

Election of New Bishop for Victoria Nyanza

The Electoral Synod of the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza has elected the Rev Canon Boniface Kwangu as the next Bishop on October 18, 2007 in Mwanza.

The Synod was chaired by the Rt Rev Sadoki Makaya of Tabora. Also present was the Acting General Secretary, Rev Jacob Kahemele (who is also the Provincial Development Officer).Canon Kwangu, a former tutor at St Philips and currently a parish priest in the Diocese of Shinyanga will be consecrated on November 18, 2007 in Mwanza by Archbishop Donald Mtetemela.

The election follows the resignation of Bishop John Changae in March 2007.

1st October 2007

ACT General Secretary on Sabbatical

The General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, the Rev Canon Dr R. Mwita Akiri is on sabbatical in Canada from October to December 2007.Dr Akiri will be based at Wycliffe College, Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto.While there, Dr Akiri will be working on revising his PhD thesis for publication. Also he will be translating parts of Africa Bible Commentary at the request of publishers - WordAlive.Wycliffe College has asked Dr Akiri to offer a course on African Christianity in part is based on his doctoral thesis. He will also give the annual Mission lecture - the Sadlier Lecture and will be speaking on Secularization of Mission Education in Africa.

Dr Akiri will use the opportunity to learn more about the life of the Anglican Church of Canada, and share about the life of the Church in Tanzania.

30th September 2007

Mpwapwa Gets a New Bishop.

The Diocese of Mpwapwa now has a new Bishop. The Rt Rev. Jacob Chimeledya was enthtonred as new Diocesan Bishop of Mpwapwa on September 30, 2007 at All Saints Cathedral in Mpwapwa. This follows the retirement of Bishop Simon Chiwanga who has been the Bishop of Mpwapwa since 1991.The Primate of Tanzania, the Most Rev Donald Leo Mtetemela, and the Provincial Secretary, the Rev Canon Dr Mwita Akiri attended the service.

Also present were a number of ACT Bishops.Bishop Chimeledya was consecrated as Co-adjutor Bishop on October 9, 2005 and has been serving in that capacity since then.We wish Bishop Chimeledya well in his new ministry."

St John's University Inaugurated

The new established St John's University, an Anglican University in Tanzania was inaugurated on September 8, 2007. This involved the installation of Chancellor, Vice - Chancellor, members of the Council, and the Senate.

 21st March 2007

Announcement of the Death of the Retired Bishop of Mara, Gershom Nyaronga

The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, The Most Rev’d Donald Leo Mtetemela, regrets to inform you that the retired first Bishop of the Diocese of Mara, Bishop Gershom Nyaronga, passed away Wednesday morning, March 21, 2007 at the Mikocheni Mission Hospital, Dar es Salaam.  The funeral will be conducted by Archbishop Mtetemela at St. John’s Cathedral, Musoma on Saturday, March 31, 2007.Please continue to pray for the widow, Mama Phoebe Nyaronga, the family, and the Church in Mara and Tanzania for the loss.

May his soul rest in peace.

15th March 2007

Resignation of Bishop John Changae

Announcement of the Resignation of Bishop John Changae of the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza.The General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, Dr. R. Mwita Akiri, would like to take this opportunity to advise you that the Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza, Bishop John Changae, has announced his resignation in front of the Synod of the Diocese following a meeting with Archbishop Donald Leo Mtetemela, effective from 15 March 2007.The Diocese of Victoria Nyanza will be under the direction and leadership of Archbishop Mtetemela until a new Bishop is elected, which is hoped will take place in the not too distant future.Please continue to pray for Bishop John Changae, his family and the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza.

World Primate Meeting

The Meeting of World Primates will be taking place in Dar es Salaam from February 15 – 19, 2007.  The meeting is being hosted by The Most Rev’d Donald Mtetemela, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Tanzania.  The meeting will take place at White Sands Hotel in Dar es Salaam.  The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev’d and Right Honourable Dr. Rowan Williams, and all Primates of the Worldwide Anglican Communion will be in Dar es Salaam for the meeting.  A celebration of the Holy Eucharist will take place on February 18, 2007 at the Zanzibar Cathedral.  The Archbishop of Canterbury will be the preacher for the service and Archbishop Mtetemela will be the celebrant.

February 10, 2007

Second phase of the fundraising for St. John’s University

The launch of the second phase of the fundraising for St. John’s University of Tanzania took place on February 10, 2007 at the site of the new university.  The President, His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, was the guest of honour.  The fundraiser was attended by business people, Government Ministers and general public from the Dodoma region, who contributed generously.