From Mr Ian
Gordon
Sir, - May I add to your
admirable report (News, 26 July) of
the recent visit of the Bishop of Angola, the Rt Revd André
Soares?
The organisation of the
visit was shared between ALMA (the Angola London Moazambique
Association) and MANNA (the Mozambique and Angola Anglican
Association), of which I am the general secretary. MANNA can trace
its history to at least 1906, and has supporters throughout this
country and, indeed, around the world.
During his time in Britain,
MANNA arranged for Bishop Soares to visit supporting parishes and
groups at Inkberrow in Worcestershire, Derby, and Liverpool. The
visit to St Bede's with St Clement's, Toxteth, in Liverpool, is
significant, because it was from that congregation, in 1925, that
Archibald Patterson followed God's call to spread the gospel to
Angola.
Not licensed, untrained, and
supported by only a few members of the congregation at St
Clement's, he established the North Angola Mission, building
churches and schools and training pastors - and baptising André
Soares in 1958.
André was consecrated the
first ever Bishop of the missionary diocese of Angola in 2003,
since when the Anglican Church in Angola has grown dramatically.
When asked some years ago what his plan for the diocese was, he
replied: "Plan? We do not have a plan. We are just rushing along
trying to keep up with the Holy Spirit."
MANNA is proud to be
supporting such a charismatic bishop. To find out more about the
work of MANNA, your readers can contact me at n_grdn@yahoo.co.uk,
or by phone on 01303 257 248. The needs of the Church in Angola are
many.
IAN GORDON
16 Bayle Court, The Parade
Folkestone CT20 1SN