Bishop Pierre Whalon, of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe, has just returned from a visit to the Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo. He describes his visit on his blog.
I had the great privilege to visit Congo-Kinshasa (the former Belgian colony) and Congo-Brazzaville (the former French colony), from February 6 (Ash Wednesday) to the 15th. What struck me most powerfully were the contrast between the extraordinary wealth of the countries and its people’s extraordinary poverty; and the faithfulness and joyousness of the people and clergy, with their bishops, of the Anglican Province of the Congo (which spans both countries). In particular, this province, which lies in the largest French-speaking country in the world, has spread from one solitary Ugandan missionary, Apollo Kivebulaya, in Boga, to well over 500,000 Anglicans in both Congoes—with very little help from outside. Unlike the Nigerian, Ugandan, or Kenyan provinces, which inherited mission structures from their missionaries, the Congolese began at square one—with one man. And with everything done in French! They receive help from the Congo Church Association, and from other friends, but overall they have grown by their own efforts.
I went to bring the funds for Abp. Diropka’s car, as well as another vehicle for Henri Isingoma, Bishop of Boga, who now has a Toyota LandCruiser. I also went as vice-president of the Francophone Network of the Anglican Communion, in order to stir up interest in the July meeting of the Réseau in England. The four million francophone Anglicans need to gather resources for education and evangelism—we have virtually nothing in French other than the Book of Common Prayer and the Bible. Finally, I went looking for a possible “companion diocese” for the Convocation. A “companion (or “link” in the Church of England) diocese” is a relationship between two disparate dioceses in the Communion, who covenant to be partners in learning about each other, exchanging ideas and visits, and sharing resources for mission.
Read more here.