The Anglican Church of Southern Africa has ordained the first woman bishop on the African continent, officials said Monday, in a historic move that comes as the Church of England in London prepares to vote on whether to allow female bishops.
The consecration of Ellinah Wamukoya, originally from the diocese of Swaziland, took place in the country’s economic capital Manzini on Saturday in front of more than 3,000 worshippers. She had previously served as mayor of the city.
“We were gathered to consecrate and ordain a bishop in the Church of God: not a black woman, not an African, not a Swazi woman, but a priest of the Church,” the Anglican church said in a statement.