Bishop John Hepworth with Fr. Brian Gill, Area Dean and Fr. Peter Price, Priest in Charge.
Traditional Anglicans at Presteigne and Minsterworth gathered to hear Bishop John Hepworth after his visit to South Africa. The Bishop had already met only a some of them in 1995 when they were united in the faith but homeless, because they could no longer accept the authority of Canterbury. At that time he was able to offer encouragement by telling of the difficulties met, and overcome, in Australia, and world-wide. On this occasion, having just been to Africa, to told of the problems and dangers being faced by the African Continuers. He told of the great faith and the joy of the vast congregations which gather for confirmations, baptism and the Eucharist. It was enthralling to hear about the church there and in other parts of TAC and very humbling to learn of their faith in adversity, and certainly put in perspective the problems encountered at home in the diocese of England and Wales. The Bishop spoke of his visit to the Lambeth Conference, and his hopes for the future of the TAC and the continuing Anglican Church generally. It was fascinating; it was uplifting. The Traditional Anglican Church is indeed an integral part of the world-wide Traditional Anglican Communion.