Manna Centenary 16 September 2006 London Bishop Andre's Address LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS

Your excellency, Mr Chairman of MANNA, Trustees and associate members of MANNA,

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed, always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor 4.8-10)

It is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to congratulate MANNA for all their valuable work in three Portuguese-speaking Dioceses in Africa Angola, Lebombo and Niassa. After 1990 Angola came under the pastoral support of Bishop Dinis, so from 1997 you took responsibility for our country as well.

On August 4th 2002, Angola became a Diocese in its own right. This was not easy for the Province, because support for a new Bishop would put a further strain on its limited resources. An appeal was launched to the whole Anglican Communion, and MANNA's quick response was one factor, which made it possible to launch the new diocese at that time. Moreover, MANNA undertook to pay the first five years of the Bishop's salary, which made it viable for the election to go ahead. So I'd like to affirm that had it not been for MANNA's support along with that of ALMA and other organizations the new Diocese might not have come into existence even now.

So we are very happy, and we want to want to give honour and glory to God the Father for all He has done.

Dear Trustees and associate members of MANNA, I'd like to indicate various areas where your work in Angola has borne fruit;

* the roofing of churches,
* the medical ,centre at Mucaba has recently been rehabilitated
* material support,
* financial support for social projects,
* spiritually - through the training of the clergy
* exchanges between the two countries
* communications
* the purchase of bicycles for clergy to help them get around in urban areas

In all these ways and others we pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide you to fulfil the will of God in our country, and, once again, God is worthy to be blessed for this great ministry.

Brothers and sisters

If we had been celebrating the 100th birthday of a single person, then all we would find would be fatigue, weakness, a loss of vision and general indifference to life. But for a charitable institution like MANNA, 100 years spells an increase in the number of lessons learned, extra effectiveness in fighting on behalf of the poor, improved witness to the love of God towards our neighbours and a renewed commitment to the Mission of God the Mission Dei

May God continue to be with MANNA.

You are fighting God's fight, and victory is near.

God bless you