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Email to FriendLiberia Bishop Jonathan Hart visits Episcopal Church Center
Accompanied by G. Patrick Kanneh, the new financial comptroller for the diocese, Hart spent June 25-26 visiting the Church Pension Group (CPG) and various offices at the Church Center.
Hart, who was consecrated in March, succeeded Bishop Edward Neufville who retired in November 2007. Neufville was 70, the mandatory retirement age for a bishop in this West African diocese.
The Episcopal Church of Liberia was a diocese in the U.S.-based Episcopal Church until 1980, when it became part of the Province of West Africa following the signing of a formal covenant. Both churches share a long history of mutual involvement dating back to 1836 when missionaries first traveled to West Africa.
Concluding his two week visit to the U.S., Hart said he had also spent time in the dioceses of Virginia and Western Massachusetts which share companion relationships with Liberia. He also visited staff at Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), which is operating a NetsforLife program in Monrovia where Hart said malaria is considered the "highest killer of infants" in Liberia.
"We also met with Friends of Cuttington to discuss various needs and trust funds," he said.
Hart explained that the Episcopal Diocese of Liberia is in need of housing and transportation for clergy.
"Clergy are being sent to areas where they do not have good accommodations," he explained. "The church fund ought to be able to build housing for the priests and deacons."
Hart spoke of the resurgence of education in Liberia since the war and that the need for assistance is not only financial but also physical.
"There are opportunities for missionary work in Liberia," he said. "We are open to retirees or anyone coming to lend their skills."
--Daphne Mack is a correspondent for Episcopal Life Media and is editor of http://www.globalgood.org/ and http://www.episcopalchurch.org/pyftw.htm.
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