Swaziland gets first female Anglican bishop

The Associated Press

November 20, 2012

MBABANE, Swaziland — The Anglican Church has ordained its first female bishop in Africa.

Ellinah Wamukoya, 61, was consecrated Satuday to serve as the church’s bishop in Swaziland, a tiny, impoverished nation surrounded by South Africa that is the continent’s last absolute monarchy.

It has been 36 years since the church’s General Synod declared it had no fundamental objection to ordaining women as priests, and 18 years since the first women were ordained. Meanwhile, sister churches of the Anglican Communion in Australia, New Zealand and the United States already have women serving as bishops.

Activate Search