The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo has visited church and community projects in the Diocese of Mombasa in the Anglican Church of Kenya. Hosted by the Bishop of Mombasa, the Rt Revd Alphonce Mwaro Baya and local clergy, the Secretary General’s itinerary (from 18-20 August) included visits to places of significance to the church both in terms of its historic and contemporary mission.
Bishop Alphonce said: ‘Hosting the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, is a significant honour and privilege for the Diocese of Mombasa and the province of Kenya at large. It represents an opportunity to engage with the global Anglican community, enhance dialogue and strengthen relationships.
‘By welcoming Bishop Anthony Poggo, we demonstrate our commitment to unity, cooperation and shared values. This visit enables us to learn from his insights, explore areas of collaboration and deepen our understanding of the Anglican Communion’s mission and work. We look forward to a meaningful exchange, mutual learning and a strengthened partnership between the Diocese of Mombasa and the Anglican Communion.’
Learning about the Diocese’s Educational provision
On 18 August, the Secretary General toured the Bishop Hannington Institute of Theology and Development. The Secretary General spent time in the Megg Merrifield Library and donated two books, including his own title about the Book of Nehemiah.
The Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, donates books to the Megg Merrifield Library at the Bishop Hannington Institute of Theology and Development, in Mombasa.
Visiting Heritage Sites and Places of Worship
The Secretary General’s afternoon programme also involved a visit to the Mombasa Memorial Cathedral. The church has a similar appearance to that of the many mosques in the city, because it was designed to blend in with the local architecture. Established in 1898, on the sub-division of the former Diocese of Eastern Equatorial Africa, it is one of the earliest Cathedrals built on Mombasa Island.
The Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, and the Rt Revd Alphonce Mwaro Baya, Bishop of Mombasa, at the altar of Mombasa Memorial Cathedral of St John the Baptist, a historic centre of Anglican worship and witness in the region.
The Secretary General also visited the Krapf Memorial Museum in Rabai (also known as the Rabai Museum). The museum is located in the first Christian church building constructed in Kenya (Saint Paul, Anglican Church of Kenya). It is dedicated to the life and work of Dr Johann Ludwig Krapf, a Church Mission Society missionary who played a key role in the introduction of Christianity and modern education in Kenya. The museum presents the history of the first Christian missionaries in the region and their impact on the local community. In the late 1800s, the church was instrumental in supporting people emancipated from slavery on the Eastern coast of Africa.
The Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, with the Rt Revd Alphonce Mwaro Baya, Bishop of Mombasa, alongside diocesan and museum staff outside the Krapf Memorial Museum, which commemorates the pioneering work of Dr Johann Ludwig Krapf, a Church Mission Society missionary who was instrumental in the introduction of Christianity and modern education in Kenya.
Another church visit was made to Emmanuel Church, which was built between 1887-1889 by the freed slave community, this was among the earliest Anglican churches in the region. The church served not only as a place of worship but also as the social and cultural hub–hosting baptisms, weddings, funerals and community gatherings.
The Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, with the Rt Revd Alphonce Mwaro Baya, Bishop of Mombasa, outside Emmanuel Church, Rabai. Built between 1887 and 1889 by the freed slave community, Emmanuel Church is among the earliest Anglican churches in the region and served for generations as both a place of worship and a centre of community life.
Environmental Ministry
On 19 August the Secretary General travelled to Mgombezi, to see a forestation project called ‘The Artificial Forest’. He met Rev Arnest Ndune, a committed environmentalist and Diocesan coordinator of the Green Anglicans network. Grown on over 15 acres of church land, the project has planted over 70,000 trees.
The community is also being empowered to run income generating initiatives including mushrooms production. The Secretary General planted a tree and met with local church members.
The Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, with the Rt Revd Alphonce Mwaro Baya, Bishop of Mombasa, and clergy from the diocese, touring Chikaikai and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
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Fellowship with Diocesan Staff
On 20 August, the Secretary General enjoyed Fellowship with the Diocesan Staff and Clergy at the Mombasa Memorial Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. He addressed the group and there was an open forum for questions and response. On the same day, the Secretary General’s itinerary involved a tour of Fort Jesus.
Speaking about his time in Mombasa, the Secretary General said, ‘It has been a joy to visit the Diocese of Mombasa this week, and I give thanks for their faithful witness and the opportunity to encourage them in their ministry. They are delivering a wide range of mission and community projects. Bishop Alphonce’s vision and passion for evangelism and church planting is commendable. It was good to see one of the sites where the Diocese will soon be putting up a church.
‘I am also impressed by the diocese’s provision of theological training and discipleship, as well as its deep commitment to environmental action through the Artificial Forest project. May God continue to strengthen the church in this region.’
