From Botswana to Barking: The Church of England Newspaper, October 28, 2012 p 5. October 29, 2012
Posted by geoconger in Church of England, Church of England Newspaper, Church of the Province of Central Africa.Tags: Diocese of Botswana, Diocese of Chelmsford, Trevor Mwamba
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The Rt. Rev. Trevor Mwamba
The Bishop of Botswana, the Rt Rev Trevor Mwamba, has been appointed Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Chelmsford and Rector of St Margaret’s Team Ministry and Barking St Patrick’s with Christ Church.
“Barking is getting a man of rare wisdom, good humour and experience. He will light up the church in Barking.” the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell said on 3 October 2012., while the Bishop of Barking, Rt Rev David Hawkins, added that it was a “great privilege for Barking and the Chelmsford Diocese to have someone from the African Continent of such distinction and international reputation. Bishop Trevor will be an important role model of leadership for many within the church and wider society of the Borough.”
A native of Zambia, Bishop Mwamba was educated at the University of Zambia and trained for the priesthood at Saint Stephen’s House, Oxford, and was ordained in 1984 at Saint Luke’s Chelsea in London, serving his curacy in the Parish of All Saints, Notting Hill before returning to Zambia where he was priested in Ndola in 1985.
In 1987 Bishop Mwamba was appointed Provincial Secretary of the Church of the Province of Central Africa, and from 1996 to 1999 undertook graduate work at Keble College, Oxford. From 2000 to 2005 Bishop Mwamba worked as a banker with Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Ltd and was consecrated Bishop of Botswana on 6 Feb 2005.
Considered the most progressive member of the CPSA House of Bishops, Bishop Mwamba had clashed with his colleagues over the Lake Malawi episcopal impasse and for his links with the Episcopal Church and the Modern Churchpersons Union. The bishop had also come under fire from his clergy for allegedly favoring non-Botswana clergy in appointments.
Bishop Mwamba said he was “delighted and look forward to ministering” in Barking.
“With immense joy, humility and hope I approach my ministry at St Margaret’s, Barking, a parish which clearly reflects this multicultural and multi-ethnic dimension. I look forward to connecting pastorally with the diversity of people found in Barking and enabling others to engage with the needs of the parish,” the bishop said.
First printed in The Church of England Newspaper.
Chelmsford curate cleared of immigration fraud charges: The Church of England Newspaper, March 2, 2012, p 3 March 7, 2012
Posted by geoconger in Church of England, Church of England Newspaper, Marriage.Tags: Brian Shipsides, Diocese of Chelmsford, Elwon John, immigration fraud
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The Inner London Crown Court has exonerated the Rev. Elwon John of charges that he committed immigration fraud.
The curate at All Saints Church in Forest Gate in East London was found to have had no knowledge or role in the immigration fraud scheme conducted by his co-defendants: the vicar, the Rev. Brian Shipsides, and the fixer, Ms. Amdudalat Ladipo.
On 22 Feb 2012 the court found Mr. Shipsides and Ms. Ladipo guilty of conspiring to facilitate entry and to obtain indefinite leave to remain in the UK in breach of immigration law by allegedly conducting approximately 200 sham marriages between December 2007 and July 2010.
After having received a tip that the parish church was being used to conduct the sham marriages, officers of the Metropolitan Police and the U.K. Border Agency raided the church on 31 July 2010. They found Ms. Lapido at the church, waiting to witness a marriage of friends.
The defendant allegedly tried to dispose of a package she was carrying which the police recovered and found contained forged identity documents. An examination of the church’s records led to the arrest of the two priests. Mr. Shipside entered a guilty plea at the start of the trial, but Mr. John protested his innocence throughout – and has now been acquitted of wrongdoing.
In a statement released after the verdict was handed down, Simon Prankard, senior investigating officer at the UK Border Agency’s London Criminal and Financial Investigation team, said: “This was a long and complex enquiry into what was an organised and sophisticated attempt to cheat the UK’s immigration laws. It was also an unusual investigation, involving a church minister, Brian Shipsides, who was prepared to abuse his position and the trust placed in him by the Church and his community.”
“I hope this case sends out a message that we will not tolerate abuse of our immigration system. Those who facilitate sham marriages are breaking the law and will be held accountable for their actions – no matter who they are.”
First printed in The Church of England Newspaper.
