The Lead

UPDATED again: From ACNS:

Revd Wamukoya was not initially a candidate, but after seven rounds of elections yielding no results, fresh nominations were invited from the Elective Assembly. She subsequently received the required 2/3 majority in both houses of laity and clergy.

Also, Meshack Mabuza, IV Bishop of Swaziland, sends these sentiments:

Congratulations to Ellinah for having made history as the first woman bishop, not only in the Province of Southern Africa, but in the whole African continent. As her predecessor I thank God for having played a role in the making of that history.

UPDATED: It appears Swaziland is the first in the 12 Provinces of Africa to elect a woman. The Anglican Church of Southern Africa, which includes Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, St. Helena, and South Africa, voted to ordain women at the 1992 Synod, which met in Swaziland.

The Rev. Canon Petero A. N. Sabune, Africa Partnership officer for the Episcopal Church, writes:

What a glorious day of Joy and wonder for the people of Africa. I was at the Synod in Swaziland in 1992, when the vote was taken to ordain women. The Synod was chaired by The Most Reverend And Metropolitan, Archbishop Mphilo Desmond Tutu and there were tears of joy and thanksgiving. At the Synod last year, Thabo the current Primate lamented on how few dioceses have women priests.
This is the day the Lord has made let us Rejoice and be Glad ! Amen

+++

Bishop Alan Scarfe of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa writes:

I am pleased to share with you news of today's election of The Rev. Ellinah Wamukoya within our companion Diocese of Swaziland. The Rev. Wamukoya is Chaplain at the University of Swaziland (where we served together during Holy Week during my sabbatical)... She also [recently completed a term] as CEO of the City Council in Manzini... We celebrate with Ellinah, her family and the people of Swaziland, as we hold them all in prayer.

The Anglican Communion News Service confirms our reporting.

Comments (8)

Wonderful news. Blessings and congratulations to The Rev. Ellinah Wamukoya.

June Butler

Posted by GrandmèreMimi | July 18, 2012 9:23 PM

What wonderful news! a Woman Bishop in Africa! This really should encourage conservatives of the Church of England to believe that God can (and does) call Women to the Episcopate - even in Africa. So what is all the fuss about in Mother Church?

Congratulations +Ellinah

Posted by Father Ron | July 18, 2012 10:24 PM

What a wonderful turn of events - to have an African Woman Bishop! This should encourage the conservatives of the Church of England that God can (and does) call females as well as males into the ministry of God's church.

Congratulations +Ellinah!

ron smith (added by ~ed.) PLEASE sign your name Father Ron.

Posted by Father Ron | July 18, 2012 10:35 PM

May she guard and uphold the Faith.

Posted by Nicole Porter | July 19, 2012 12:16 AM

TBTG, and God bless Bishop-elect Wamukoya!

JC Fisher

Posted by tgflux | July 19, 2012 1:54 AM

As a student from the US, I met the African National Congress in exile in Dar es Salaam, introduced by Eduardo Mondlane of the Mozambique Liberation Front. I, then Presbyterian kept company with Lutherans. I never asked them about 'religion' but they taught me to sing God Bless Africa, in Swahili. Vietnam drew me into the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. May the election of The Rev. Ellinah Wamukoya be a blessing for all those who attempt to love and follow Jesus. Thanks be to God.

Posted by Lance Woodruff | July 19, 2012 5:56 AM

Many blessings on The Rev. Ellinah Wamukoya. May she embrace her new position with joy and love.

Posted by Carole May | July 19, 2012 1:59 PM

Does anyone know if other provinces in Africa will accept her? Might they refuse to sit with her at meetings and such?

Kevin McGrane

Posted by Maplewood | July 19, 2012 2:20 PM

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