THE Revd Ellinah Wamukoya was elected as the next Bishop of
Swaziland on Thursday of last week.
It is the first time a woman has been appointed a bishop in the
Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) or within the Council of
Anglican Provinces of Africa.
Ms Wamukoya, who is 61, was elected from five nominated
candidates by a two-thirds majority, among both clergy and laity,
in the Elective Assembly in Swaziland. Her election has to be
confirmed by the Synod of Bishops of the ACSA. She will succeed the
Rt Revd Meshak Mabuza, who retired at the end of last year.
The Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, said
that the election of Ms Wamukoya was "a great joy. When it was
announced that she had received the necessary votes, there was
great rejoicing both that a person of undeniable skills and
personal qualities had been chosen, and that it was Ellinah
herself, who obviously commands considerable respect and affection
across the diocese of Swaziland. . .
"It is rather fitting that the diocese of Swaziland should elect
our first woman to be a bishop, since it was here, 20 years ago,
that, amidst both tears and joy, our Provincial Synod agreed that
both the priesthood and episcopate should be open to men and
women."
Ms Wamukoya was, until recently, the town clerk of Manzini
Munici-pal Council. She was ordained in 2005, and served as
Priest-in- Charge of the University of Swaziland.
She said: "I am humbled by the trust and confidence placed on me
by the people of Swaziland, a person like me of humble beginnings.
My prayer is to be able to listen and be guided by the Holy Spirit
in everything I do."