News
Ellinah Wamukoya of Swaziland becomes Africa’s first female Anglican bishop
It has been 36 years since the church’s General Synod declared it had no fundamental objection to ordaining women as priests, and 18 years since the first women were ordained. Meanwhile, sister churches of the Anglican Communion in Australia, New Zealand and the United States already have women serving as bishops.
In Swaziland, the government has yet to congratulate Wamukoya and did not attend the ceremony marking her appointment, despite being invited. However, Swazi feminist and gender activist Doo Aphane said Wamukoya’s appointment represented a special moment for women in her country and beyond.
“It is victory for women both in Swaziland and Africa, because she is not given the task because she is a woman but because she is capable,” Aphane said.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
