A shared interest in developing local seminaries resulted in several visitations by senior leaders of Anglican provinces in Africa to the Episcopal Church Center during the last two months of 2004, as well as an announcement from Trinity Parish, Wall Street, that it had awarded its largest grant to date to the Anglican Province in Sudan for that purpose.

The $114,000 grant for theological education in the Province of Sudan was one of 11 awarded by the Trinity Grants Program on Dec. 13. The Theological Education by Extension is part of a three-year partnership that will help 10 dioceses located in the war-torn southern part of Sudan to send new students to replace the ones who will graduate next year. Among others awards received were $36,000 for the Province of Tanzania to fund a seminar for senior leaders, $57,201 for the Diocese of Bo, in the Province of West Africa, and $42,000 to enhance communications within the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA).

During a two-week visit to New York City in late November, Archbishop Samuel Ndayisenga, Primate of Burundi since 1998, offered words of encouragement and support to the Episcopal Church. Archbishop Ndayisenga was joined by the Rev. Pascal Bigirimana, provincial secretary, who noted that the bonds of affection and cooperation remain strong between the two provinces.

The provincial secretary of the Anglican Church of Tanzania also extended a hand of gratitude and friendship to the Episcopal Church during a November visit. Bringing greetings from the primate, the Most Rev. Donald Leo Mtetemela, the Rev. Canon R. Mwita Akiri offered a presentation on development projects and strategic planning in the fifth poorest country in the world.

Episcopal News Service contributed to this report.