Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On behalf of the Global Anglican Council, I am delighted to congratulate The Rt Revd Dr Manasseh Gahima, Bishop of Gahini, on his election as the next Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Rwanda.

It was my privilege to preside at his enthronement as Bishop of Gahini in 2019, and I know him to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, a man committed to the authority of God’s Word, with a heart for the mission of his Church.

Archbishop-elect Manasseh brings rich experience to this new responsibility. Before entering full-time church ministry, he served in education and local government, later taking up senior responsibilities within the Diocese of Gahini.

He was consecrated a bishop in 2017 and has served as Bishop of Gahini since 2019. Together with his wife, Rose, he has raised a family of eight children.

Many of you will already know Manasseh from his plenary addresses at G25 in Plano and G26 in Abuja, where he contributed to our thinking about the resources and structures needed to strengthen our shared life and mission.

As Archbishop and Primate, he will now represent Rwanda on the Global Anglican Council, sharing in the conciliar leadership of our Global Anglican Communion.

Rwanda has played an important role in Gafcon from its beginning, and I rejoice that this will continue under Manasseh’s leadership.

As I prepare to conclude my own service as Archbishop, I am deeply thankful to God that this responsibility will pass to a brother whom I know, love and trust.

I look forward to continuing to serve alongside Manasseh in our wider global family, as I continue as Chairman of the Global Anglican Council through to GAFCON V, our next Global Anglicans Assembly in Athens in April 2028.

Please join me and the members of the Global Anglican Council in congratulating Manasseh and in praying for him, for Rose and their family, and for the Anglican Church of Rwanda as we prepare for his installation as Archbishop and Primate on 25 October 2026.

When I enthroned Manasseh as Bishop of Gahini in 2019, I encouraged him with the Lord’s words to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:9) Today, I gladly say those words to my dear brother again.

Yours in Christ,

The Most Revd Dr Laurent Mbanda
Chairman of the Global Anglican Council
Friday 11th September 2026