First Woman Bishop in Africa Visits DC to Talk Climate Change

This week, two prominent leaders of GREEN Anglicans in southern Africa are visiting the Diocese of Washington (DC) to talk about Anglican climate action.

The Rt. Rev. Ellinah Wamukoya is Bishop of Swaziland, the first woman to be elected an Anglican bishop in the whole African continent, and the Rev. Dr. Rachel Mash is the Environmental Coordinator for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, a fellow Anglican province with the Episcopal Church that includes six countries.

“I used to walk 3 km after school to fetch water,” says Bishop Ellinah. “One day I was almost home when I tripped and dropped the water. I cried so hard. Climate change makes women and children walk further for water.”

Already on their visit, they have given a presentation at the National Cathedral, spoken on Voice of America, and participated in a roundtable with the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) and the National Council of Church’s Creation Justice.

“Climate change has a face,” said Bishop Ellinah on Voice of America. “That face is poverty.”

This Sunday, November 4, at 9 a.m., Bishop Ellinah will preach across the street from the White House at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, often called “the Presidents’ church,” then speak at the adult forum at 10 a.m.