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BISHOP OF MATABELELAND FOSTERS LINKS WITH SOUTHWARK DIOCESE IN UK VISIT

11 March 2004

Bishop Wilson Sitshebo from the Diocese of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe is speaking to Christians in the Kingston Episcopal Area of the Diocese of Southwark at a number of events and conferences, during his working trip to the UK this month.

On Saturday 6 March, Bishop Wilson gave a talk about the Church in Zimbabwe at an event at St Margaret's Church, Putney, to introduce 'Christ We Share' - a mission resource pack produced by some of the main mission agencies. The resource pack contains insights and images of Christ by artists from all over the world.

During his stay, Bishop Wilson is also scheduled to speak at a meeting of the Kingston Episcopal Area Link Committee (chaired by the Revd Bill Warren, Vicar of St Margaret's, Putney), which co-ordinates and develops the link between the Area and the Diocese of Matabeleland. He will also address the Diocesan Synod on 13 March and the Kingston Area Rural Deans' meeting, before returning to Matabeleland on 16 March.

The Right Reverend Bishop Wilson Sitshebo was born in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe in 1952. He was brought up in Zimbabwe, going to school at St Patrick's Mission in Gweru, where he later returned for a time as a teacher and chaplain. He was ordained deacon in 1979 and priested the following year.

Bishop Wilson has been a chaplain with the Zimbabwe National Army and has served as Warden of the Bishop Gaul Theological College in Harare. In 1992 he moved to the UK on secondment as a tutor to the United College of the Ascension (UCA) in Selly Oak, Birmingham. He was consecrated Bishop of Matabeleland in 2001.

This is the second visit Bishop Wilson has made to the Kingston Episcopal Area - his first visit took place this time last year. Both times, he has emphasised the importance of face-to-face meetings in order to develop and strengthen the links between the Dioceses of Southwark and Matabeleland.

The Rt Rev Dr Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston said:" We are honoured and delighted to welcome Bishop Wilson once more to the Kingston Episcopal Area of the Diocese of Southwark. I look forward to hearing what he has to say about the Church in Zimbabwe, and am proud to be part of an initiative that further strengthens our long-standing link with Bishop Wilson and the Diocese of Matabeleland."

Ends.

For further information contact: 

Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 020-7939 9400
Mobile: 07831-694021
Fax: 020-7939 9468