wfn.org | New bishop for Cape Town elected

[Theo and Ruth Coggin <coggin@sn.apc.org>]

^From Theo Coggin, Quo Vadis Communications +2711-648-5461
e-mail: coggin@sn.apc.org

A 57-year old Archdeacon of the Anglican Church, the Venerable
Christopher Gregorowski, who identifies himself strongly as an African,
has been elected as the new bishop of Table Bay, part of the Diocese of
Cape Town, South Africa. 

He will succeed Bishop Geoff Quinlan who retires in April. He will be
consecrated in St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town, on April 25.

Archdeacon  Gregorowski, who has studied at the University of Cape Town,
at Cuddesdon Theological College in Oxford and in Birmingham, was
strongly influenced by his experience in the Transkei in the late 1960s
and early 1970s. After his ministry there he returned to Cape Town,
where he has served several parishes.

The Parish of St Saviour’s in Claremont has been particularly
significant in his life  –  he served on the staff there from 1963 to
1966, was ordained there as a priest in 1963, was married there to his
wife, Margaret, in 1964, and the first of three children was baptised
there a year later. This week he was elected a bishop when the Diocese’s
Elective Assembly met at the same Church.

The bishop-elect has a far-reaching vision for the Church’s role in
contemporary society.  This includes a ministry to and presence in
Parliament, as well as the need to use the opportunities that present
themselves on Robben Island, where the Anglicans have a church.

In an interview he said that while the Anglican Church’s public policy
advocacy role had already been agreed to in respect of Parliament, it
should also be extended to other tiers of government.  Noting that Cape
Town was becoming a world tourist destination, Archdeacon Gregorowski 
said the Good Shepherd Church on Robben Island could play a major part
in the Church’s ministry and mission. 

“We need to think creatively about opportunities and responsibilities
among tourists and visitors, not only at the international airport, the
city, waterfront and harbour areas, but throughout the Table Bay region
and the diocese,” he said.

Archdeacon Gregorowski was born in Cape Town, the son of an Anglican
priest and a teacher. He is at present at the All Saints Church in
Somerset West.

He is married to Margaret and has two surviving daughters, a third
daughter having died in 1981, and two grandsons.

His hobbies include marathon running – he has run the Two Oceans
Marathon – reading and studying. He has also authored three children’s
books, and has contributed to various anthologies.