Companion Dioceses
Diocese of Brechin, Scotland
Diocese of Swaziland, Southern Africa
Diocese of Iowa, U.S.
Joint Intercession List
Companion Relationship Reconfirmed
[February 2009] At the recent meeting of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, the following resolution was passed: Resolved, That the Executive Council meeting in Stockton, California from January 29-31, 2009 vote to recognize an extension of the Companion Diocese Relationship between the Diocese of Iowa, the Diocese of Brechin in the Scottish Episcopal Church, and the Diocese of Swaziland in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa until terminated by mutual consent.
A Brief History of the Companionship
The three-way companionship among Iowa, Swaziland and Brechin, Scotland, became official in 1990, but the relationships reaches back much further. Our link with Brechin was made official in 1982, and the late Bernard L. Mkhabela, Bishop of Swaziland, and Bishop Walter Righter explored of a three-way companionship in 1988. The idea was endorsed by the Diocesan convention that year, with national recognition coming two years later. Bishop C. Christopher Epting traveled to Swaziland and Brechin shortly after his investiture, and he worked to expand the relationships under his watch.
The heart of diocesan companionship is joining together in mission. To this end Iowans and their companions in Swaziland and Scotland pray for one another daily through the Joint Intercession List.
Over the years Iowans have made five trips to Swaziland, most recently in November 2004. The bishops of Brechin and Swaziland attended the ordination of Alan Scarfe as 9th Bishop of Iowa in 2003. Small groups of Scots and Swazis have also made exchange visits to Iowa. Both the Iowa and Swazi bishops are honorary canons of the Cathedral in Dundee, Scotland.
