It is with great shock and sadness that we share news from our companion link diocese of Mpwapwa in Tanzania, of the sudden death of their new Bishop, the Rt Rev George Chiteto.
Bishop Chiteto was consecrated as the third Bishop of Mpwapwa only last Sunday (28 August) and had been preaching at a funeral just before he died.
In offering our deepest condolences to Bishop George’s family and the Diocese of Mpwapwa, Bishop Simon says:
"It's hard enough trying to process this from the UK; to do so in Mpwapwa, and especially in Bishop George's household, is unimaginable.
"Our hearts go out to them in feeling, and our prayers in faith, that God will make good his promise to draw near to the broken-hearted, to wrap Bishop George's family, and the family of God, in everlasting love.
"May Bishop George rest in peace and rise in glory."
Bishop George was 59 years old and started his training with the Church Army in Kenya. He had a MA in Theology from St. John's College, Dodoma, where he was working before his consecration as Bishop of Mpwapwa.
Please pray for Bishop George’s family; his wife Monica and their six children, his father and siblings, our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Mpwapwa, and the entire Anglican Church of Tanzania, as they navigate this difficult time and prepare for Bishop George’s funeral, which will take place on Wednesday.
We also hold in our prayers the Bishop of Zanzibar who will oversee affairs in Mpwapwa during this time.