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NOTICE!!!

We, ++BANELE, by Divine Permission, the Primate and the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Reformed Ethiopian Catholic Church of Southern Africa, by tenor of these presents do make it known unto all men that on the 28th day in May in the year of our Lord Two thousand and Twenty-Three.

It is in this understanding of ecclesiastical propriety, thoughtful investigation and diligent prayer that the Reformed Ethiopian Catholic Church of Southern Africa (RECCSA), and the New Church in South Africa (NCSA) have decided to join together in full communion beginning on the 28th of May 2023.

This agreement will be governed by our mutually agreed upon memorandum of understanding and the Constitution of the RECCSA, which focuses primarily on maintaining fidelity to Catholic orthodoxy and traditional values. All jurisdictions within RECCSA and NCSA are of equal dignity and respect. The Ordinary Bishops of each jurisdiction maintains parity of rights and privileges on our College of Bishops, with the Primate of RECCSA at the head as “first among equals.” 

We rejoice in our Declaration as an expression of the visible unity of our churches in the one Body of Christ. We are ready to be co-workers with God in whatever tasks of mission serve the Gospel. We give glory to God for the gift of unity already ours in Christ, and we pray for the fuller realization of this gift in the entire Church.

Both churches recognize that unity is both our Lord’s prayer for us [John 17] and a gift already given to us by God in Christ [Ephesians 4.1-6]. We have been entrusted with the task of making this unity even more visible.

Full communion between Reformed Ethiopian Catholic Church of Southern [RECCSA] and New Church in South Africa [NCSA] marks but one step towards the eventual visible unity of the whole Church catholic. We have entered a new stage on our journey together; there may yet be stages that we can only imagine dimly at this point. Nevertheless, we give glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen. [Ephesians 3.20-21]

It is our prayer that this formal relationship will be beneficial to building up the Kingdom of God, here on earth, answering the “Great Commission” which is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to His disciples to spread His teachings to all the nations of the world.

Reformed Ethiopian Catholic Church of Southern [RECCSA] was represented by Archbishop Banele Christopher Mente and New Church of South Africa [NCSA] by Presiding Bishop Bhekumuzi David Mkhize. 

Further, The Reformed Ethiopian Catholic Church of Southern Africa (RECCSA) and New Church of South Africa (NCSA), had a Sub-conditional Consecration of the Bishop Bhekumuzi David Mkhize and Bishop Wandisile William Notyeke as first NCSA Bishops consecrated in the unbroken lineage of Apostolic Succession on Friday the 26th of June 2021. The consecration was held at the All Saints Cathedral Church at the Corner of Mzwazwa and Mpongo Streets, N. U. 7, Motherwell, Gqeberha at 08h00. 

Primate-Archbishop Banele Christopher Mente, a South African primate, a prominent Catholic Bishop, a prolific Christian on Catholic doctrines, a hardworking bishop who is the head of the Order of Corporate Reunion (OCR) in South Africa and is the Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Reformed Ethiopian Catholic Church of Southern Africa Bishop (RECCSA). He was the chief consecrator in the ceremony and was ably to be assisted by three prominent bishops from South Africa, Wales and United States of America: Bishop Makomela Simon Mokoena of RECCSA, Archbishop Dr Victor John Payne of Wales (proxy [consent letter] that was read before consecration) and Archbishop Richard Cumming, the Universal Primate of Order of Corporate Reunion (OCR) [proxy (consent letter) from United States of America that was read before consecration].

The consecration was epoch making. It is a historical moment whose quintessential significance lies not only in its representation of unity between Catholics and Anglican streams, but also on the centuries old role played by the Old Catholic Church as a bridge between these two Christian traditions. 

Whereas the consecration of Bishop Bishop Bhekumuzi David Mkhize and Bishop Wandisile William Notyeke as a NCSA Presiding Bishop and Diocesan Bishop respectively was about the granting of Catholic Apostolic Succession Orders to a priest of the South African Church, the event fulfils the aspirations of the founding fathers of the Ethiopian church in South Africa to have an independent African church whose bishops will hold valid priestly orders but in a church establishment which embraces and practices full catholic doctrines in its liturgical worship. 

On Sunday the 28th of May 2023, His Emminence Banele Christopher Mente managed to ordain 3 RECCSA Priests (Rev Fr Zanethemba Payi, Rev Fr Thobani Prince Kimberley and Rev Fr Elroy Meyer). 

Let us thank God for listening to our prayers. Because after our concern for others who have died and who have left the Church. Because of his faithfulness, God brought other brothers to complete the number of anointed ones.

Here on the 24th of May in the year of the Lord 2023, Primate Banele Mente assisted by the Dean and Chancellor of the Church, Bishop Makomela Simon Mokoena regularized the Diaconate and Priestly Orders of Father Bhekumuzi David Mkhize and Father Wandisile William Notyeke.

We thank these Brothers for subjecting themselves when we told them that there are some irregularities in their Apostolic Succession Lineage. They humbled themselves and agreed that it should be fixed. Then, on Friday the 26th of May 2023, he sub-conditionally consecrated them as Bishops in the Apostolic Succession Lineage. They are deemed valid now. Our number as Bishops has increased as we are 4 now and it's through God's grace

We bless the Lord Jesus Christ 

Respectfully submitted by

The Most Rev BC Mente

Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of RECCSA