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Musoke-Lubega Leaving Africa Office for Trinity Church-St. Paul's Chapel

Episcopal News Service. June 13, 2005 [061305-1-A]

The Rev. Canon Benjamin Musoke-Lubega, partnership officer for Africa at the Episcopal Church Center, has resigned to take the position of program associate for grant making activities in the Global South and telecommunications in the Trinity Grants Program of Trinity Church-St. Paul’s Chapel. He will assume his new duties in mid-June.

This position is a natural progression for me, Musoke-Lubega (Moo-so-ka – Lu-ba-ga) said. I'm excited because it continues the relationships I have with Africa.

The partnership officer for Africa at the Church Center was a position restored by Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold in early 2002. Since then, Canon Musoke-Lubega has traveled thousands of miles, visiting all of the 12 Anglican provinces as well as many ecumenical partners in Africa.

This time is crucial in the life of our Church, said the Reverend Canon James G. Callaway Jr., Trinity-St. Paul's deputy for Faith Formation and Development. Benjamin brings a deep understanding of relationships across the Anglican Communion.

Musoke-Lubega has devoted particular attention to the Episcopal Church in Liberia; helping to strengthen it as the country continues to recover from 15 years of civil war.

Personally, it has been gratifying working to build the relationships with the Episcopal Church and Africa, Musoke-Lubega said.

The Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler, director of mission, said Musoke-Lubega served in his position as a leader.

“He built companionship and collaboration contributing to understanding, vision, and action,” Lemler said. “He will remain an important colleague and partner in our work of global mission.”

Musoke-Lubega succeeds the Rev. Canon Ogé Beauvoir, who left Trinity Church in order to answer the Bishop of Haiti's call to become dean of the seminary and lay training program there.

Margaret S. Larom, director of Anglican and Global Relations (AGR) for the Episcopal Church, said, Benjamin is a friend of more than 20 years' standing, and I respect his abilities a great deal. His knowledge of Africa and its leaders, his love for the Episcopal Church, and his commitment to ecumenical service have made him a valued partner here at the Episcopal Church Center. We are sorry to lose him, but look forward to working with him in his new capacity at Trinity Wall Street. Our office has long enjoyed a collegial relationship with the Trinity Grants Program, and we hope and expect that that will continue.

Musoke-Lubega has served on the boards of Church World Service and the Washington Office on Africa, as well as the Africa Forum of CWS. He was the convener of the Episcopal Church's Africa Staff Team, which consisted of colleagues whose work related to Africa, and took a lead role in welcoming church leaders from Africa to the Episcopal Church Center, the General Convention and other such gatherings.

Joining the staff at a fraught time in our relations with several African churches, Canon Musoke-Lubega established ties with leaders and ordinary Anglicans throughout the continent that will stand the test of time and circumstance,” said Patrick Mauney, former director of AGR. “Trinity Parish is a valued companion in mission, so Benjamin's deep knowledge of Africa and his diplomatic skills will continue to benefit all of us.”

Musoke-Lubega has also worked with Episcopal colleagues to plan two major events in July - the Francophone Anglican Conference in Montreal, followed by the International Conference on Afro-Anglicanism in Toronto. In addition, prior to the Black Clergy Conference in October, he has planned the first-ever gathering of African-born clergy serving the Episcopal Church.

Before joining the Episcopal Church Center, he was rector of St. Matthew's and St. Joseph's Church in Detroit for five years, and served the Church of Holy Spirit in the Diocese of Southern Ohio for 10 years.

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