Episcopal Life Online reports that the Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba was enthroned as primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) on March 30 in a four-hour service at St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town.
Archbishop of York John Sentamu represented the Archbishop of Canterbury and Iowa Bishop Alan Scarfe represented Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori during the liturgy, which was also attended by the Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, Anglican Communion secretary general, and the primates of the Congo, Tanzania and the Indian Ocean.
South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki formally greeted Makgoba, paying tribute “to past Anglican leaders, and the church as whole, for their role in defeating apartheid,” according to SABC News.
Multiple languages representing the constituencies of the multi-national province were use in prayers and hymns throughout the service, said the Rev. Canon James M. Rosenthal, director of communications for the Anglican Communion, who attended the service. “Portuguese was heard alongside English, Xhosa. Sotho, Tswana and Afrikaans.
Expressions of loyalty to the new primate and metropolitan were offered by the Very Rev. Rowan Smith, dean of the cathedral, Highveld Bishop David Beetge, “and other clergy, office holders, laity, and a warm embrace from two young children,” said Rosenthal.
Also attending the celebration were members of the Lambeth Conference 2008 Design Group, of which the new Archbishop is a member.
After the anointment by fellow bishops, including Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town Desmond Tutu, Makgoba pledged to work for peace, justice and reconciliation in a changing world, SABC News reported.
Formerly bishop of the Diocese of Grahamstown, Makgoba was elected September 25, 2007 to succeed Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane who had served as ACSA’s primate since 1996 and retired December 31, 2007.
Makgoba was “collated” as Archbishop of Cape Town on January 1. At 48, he is the youngest bishop ever to be elected to the office of Archbishop and Metropolitan in the ACSA.
Episcopal Life Online: Southern Africa primate Thabo Makgoba enthroned in Cape Town
UPDATE:
The Anglican News Service has the full text of the sermon delivered at the service, plus additional details here.