Vincente Msosa elected archbishop of Mozambique and Angola

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The Rt. Rev. Vicente Msosa, Bishop of Zambezia, a missionary diocese in Mozambique, has been elected the primate of the Anglican Church of Mozambique and Angola (IAMA). On 15 Nov 2024 Bishop Msosa received 29 votes to his opponents’ 17 to be elected presiding bishop of the Anglican Communion’s newest province.

Bishop Msosa was born on February 18, 1981 in Chuanga, Mozambique. He was educated locally and trained as a teacher. In 2010 he studied at the College of the Transfiguration Mirfield where he obtained a Diploma of Theology. In 2013 he was ordained deacon and later in the year ordained priest. He then studied for a Degree in Theology at the Malawian Lake Anglican University.

At the age of 35, he became the youngest bishop in the Anglican Communion when he was installed as the fourth Bishop of Niassa on 1 April 2017.  He chose to be translated to the new missionary Diocese of Zambezia when it was carved out of the Diocese of Niassa due to his passion for church planting and disciple-making.

As Bishop of Zambezia, Msosa has been described by mission partners as a visionary leader who is focused on establishing a strong diocese administratively, financially and spiritually. He has a particular passion for introducing people to Jesus and helping them become effective disciples. The new archbishop is also a strong supporter of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches and is expected to move his province away from the pro-Canterbury orientation of his predecessor, the Most Rev. Carlos Matsinhe.