The Church of the Province of Central Africa 2023 Synod met in the city of Blantyre, Southern Malawi, 2-7 November 2023. A monumental decision was voted on and passed by the delegates allowing the Dioceses that are ready now to move forward and start ordaining Women into the Priesthood. When I asked the Provincial Mothers Union Chairperson, Ms. Daisy Mnonga about this vpte (64 Yes and 21 Nos), she quoted Galatians 4:4, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman….(NKJV). Her emphasis was that the “fullness of the time had come” in Central Africa and there is no looking back or more debate about Women ordination in this vast Anglican province that spreads across four countries (Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe). The theme of the synod, “Growing the Church in a broken world”, was actualized by this vote. 

Archbishop Albert Chama and Bishop Metlhayotlhe Belemeas during an interview after the motion to ordain women passed during the 2023 Provincial Synod, Blantyre, Malawi. Botswana has for many years trained women leaders and they are now ready to move to the next step of ordaining them after this vote. 

The synod addressed climate change concerns and after the closing Eucharist, the Bishops Joined Archbishop Chama as he planted the first tree of about a dozen trees that were planted as part of the Anglican Communion Forest by Bishops and other senior leaders in the province. 

Mr. Anderson Makalande is the worship leader and choir master of the Cathedral Church Joint Choir, Blantyre, Malawi. As a differently abled person whose childhood was impacted by polio to the point where he couldn’t walk, he is a true demonstration today of how all people can use their talents to serve God and Humanity. 

The Episcopal Church Office and Global Partnerships works closely with the USPG Team (UK) who also attended the Provincial Synod led by The Rev. Dr. Duncan Dormor and Fran Mate (Africa Officer, USPG).