On Sunday October 7th the Dean, the Very Rev'd Dennis Manyoni, welcomed members of the Anglican Communion's Compass Rose Society to a festival Eucharist in recognition of the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Diocese.

During the service the Bishop announced that the Dean and Chapter had nominated two new Honorary Canons, The Revd Canon John L Peterson and the Rev'd Martyn Minns, Rector of Truro Episcopal Church, Fairfax, Virginia, whose parish is a member of the Compass Rose Society.

Several hundred people gathered inside the Church and hundreds more looked in through open windows to catch a glimpse of the celebration. There were over 300 confirmations and a wide assortment of choirs. Preaching at the service was the Revd Canon John Peterson, Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council, who works closely with his Chairman, Bishop Chiwanga, throughout the year.

All Saints Cathedral in Mpwapwa is a striking building at the base of the hills that overlooks the dusty town. It is built of local stone on the sight of one of the earliest Christian mission stations in Tanzania.

The building was consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a pastoral visit to the Diocese. It was also adjacent to one of the main slave trade routes where captives were taken before their journey from Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar to the west.

The Rt Rev'd Simon Chiwanga, Bishop of the Diocese, and also chairman of the Anglican Consultative Council, one of the world-wide "instruments of unity" of the Anglican Communion, points out the marvellous irony in the establishment of the Cathedral dedicated to the Gospel of freedom so close to the place where his ancestors once passed by in their bondage.

The Diocese of Mpwapwa is very active in work of the world-wide communion, especially through its Bishop, and Truro Church has sent numerous mission teams to Mpwapwa and is involved in a wide variety of co-operative efforts with the clergy and people of that place.

Due to the international tension surrounding the visit of members of the Compass Rose Society, the Bishop announced that he was delaying the formal installation of the Honorary Canons until a later date.

Both Canons were delighted to be honoured in this way and anticipate working more closely with the Diocese in the days ahead.