The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Anthony Poggo, will make an official visit to the Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean this week. Bishop Anthony will attend the consecration of the Revd Canon Dr Joamandiny Jean Baptiste as Bishop of Antsiranana in Madagascar, and also attend the Provincial Synod. 

The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean is one of 42 autonomous and independent-yet-interdependent member Churches (provinces) in the global Anglican Communion. In addition to six dioceses on Madagascar, the Church also two other dioceses serving Mauritius and Seychelles. 

On Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 June, Bishop Anthony will attend the meeting of the Provincial Synod in Antsiranana and deliver a short speech. 

On Sunday 4 June, Bishop Anthony will attend the consecration and installation of Dr Joamandiny Jean Baptiste as Bishop of Antsiranana in Saint Matthew’s Cathedral, Diego Suarez. 

Commenting ahead of the visit, Bishop Anthony Poggo said: “the Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean has made a significant contribution to the life of the Communion. Many members from the province play roles which support churches active in more than 165 countries around the world, not least through the role played through the former Primate and Bishop of Mauritius, Archbishop Ian Ernest, who now serves as Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. 

“I am looking forward to spending time with the primate, Archbishop James Wong, and with the clergy, priests and people of the province at this week’s Synod; and to hear first-hand about the mission and ministry of the Church in this important part of the Anglican Communion.”