St Dunstans
Our Special Partnership with the Diocese of the Highveld
in South Africa
– and St Dunstan’s Cathedral
Our Link - the back story
The Diocese of Monmouth has established a link with the Diocese of the Highveld, just east of Johannesburg in South Africa. The idea of a link was being explored by Archbishop Rowan Williams and the late Bishop David Beetge (of Highveld), when Archbishop Rowan translated to Canterbury. Bishop Dominic Walker (of Monmouth) found himself sitting next to Bishop David at the enthronement in Canterbury Cathedral. They introduced themselves and decided to talk about the link, into which they formally entered in 2003. (For full details of its purpose, see the Monmouth Diocese website by clicking here) St Dunstan’s Cathedral in Benoni was linked with Abergavenny. However, following the death of David Beetge and the retirement of Dominic, it was decided that the cathedrals of Newport (St Woolos) and St Dunstan’s should be linked with each other.
Our Link - now and into the future
Musical Connections
This link has been maintained, and was renewed for a further five years in 2018. Daily prayers are said, for our Link, at Morning Prayer, and there is a special link service every year in November. The current Bishop of the Highveld diocese is the Rt. Rev.Charles May, elected in 2015.
Both Cathedrals have strong choirs and, led by superb Directors of Music.
In 2022 we were paid a visit by Bishop Charles, with his wife Tebogo, who were in the UK to attend the Lambeth Conference, The Diocese of the Highveld is involved in life-changing projects, especially supporting those in food-poverty and in need of early-years education. From here we are able to support them with donations, as well as prayer. Occasional trips have been organised for members of this Diocese to visit St Dunstan’s and the Highveld, the most recent in 2023, led by (then) Bishop Cherry Vann and Dean Ian Black – a small selection of photos is set out below.
