Fond farewells and warm welcomes

CMSI link parish members, stars and staff met on Zoom with Archbishop Mouneer Anis on 24th May.

Gillian Maganda who, along with husband David, served as a Mission Partner in Egypt under Archbishop Mouneer, summed up his sincere and faithful service:

"...you have worked hard to build up a new generation of Egyptian Church leaders and invested in the lives of younger clergy. You have advocated for the needs of God’s people in a challenging environment,... With God’s help and courage, you have reached across religious divides and built-up friendships and relationships through interfaith dialogue, which has made a significant impact in Egypt. The Province is a role model to us here in Ireland, and around the world. You have created a place of welcome for refugee and asylum seekers and you were open to trying out new ideas and initiatives, even if it meant taking risks. We thank God for you."

There were words of thanks from present links - Drumbeg Parish and Hillsborough Parish - and stories of historical exploits from former CMSI Mission Director Canon Cecil Wilson. Archbishop Mouneer brought his own memories and shared how valuable the partnership with CMSI had been over the years, all present agreed that it had been equally valuable for the church in Ireland. There were tears and encouragements and most of all a warm sense of family, who would remain in fellowship

in spite of temporal changes.

Yesterday evening, the Province of Alexandria also marked the retirement of the Archbishop with a service of thanksgiving. And this evening, the Province will welcome their new Archbishop, formerly Bishop of North Africa, Samy Fawzy Shehata (pictured during a CMSI visit to Ireland in 2018). Jenny Smyth, CMSI Mission Director, sent a goodwill message of congratulations, assurance of continued partnership, and prayer.

We invite you to view the investiture of Arhcbishop Samy Fawzy and to celebrate and pray with the Church in Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa. We ask you to pray for the new Archbishop in this time of transition, and to continue to pray for Archbishop Emeritus Mouneer in his new season of life and service.