• 19 February 2018

Archbishop Clarke visiting CMS Ireland partners in Zambia

The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, has joined CMS Ireland’s Mission Director, Jenny Smyth, and the society’s President, the Revd Adrian Dorrian, on a partner visit to the Diocese of Northern Zambia.

As part of the programme, Dr Clarke will preach at a Confirmation Service in St James’ Parish, Buchi, and will participate in the confirmations alongside the Most Revd Albert Chama, Archbishop of Central Africa and Bishop of Northern Zambia. Archbishop Clarke and Mr Dorrian will also contribute to teaching sessions at St John’s Seminary in Kitwe, where CMSI Mission Partners the Revd Keith and Lyn Scott are based.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Archbishop Clarke identified his hopes for his time in Zambia: “I am looking forward to deepening the growing relationship between CMS Ireland and our partners in Zambia. As part of our ongoing journey of faith together, we can learn and support each other through prayer, faith and devotion. We have much to offer to each other, and I believe that this visit will enable our shared fellowship to move to a deeper and better understanding of each other’s needs and strengths.

“Mission is not simply something that happens in far–away places, but should be the cornerstone of our relationship with God, and I look forward to being challenged and encouraged by the faith and determination of our partners to reach out to their own people, and to ask what we can do better to facilitate that mission. Having known Archbishop Chama as a fellow Anglican Primate for some years, it will be a personal delight to enjoy his hospitality.”

Adrian Dorrian, who is a member of the LAMP ministry team said: “I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to visit CMSI’s partners in Northern Zambia, and to renew friendships with Keith and Lyn Scott, who have spoken in several churches in the Lecale Area Mission Partnership. 

“I welcome the opportunity to be part of this team as we seek to share with the students of the St John’s Seminary, and to continue to recognise the fact that we share in a Worldwide Mission through God’s Church.”

CMSI seeks to nurture deeper connections between different parts of the global Church, to encourage mutual sharing and support. Central to this approach is a commitment to facilitate visits from Church leaders in Ireland to CMSI’s Global Partners in Africa and Nepal. These visits often include opportunities to participate in teaching and training with theology students or clergy.