Bishop Given's visit to Ireland March 2026 

Bishop Given and Bishop Andrew

CMS Ireland was delighted to facilitate a visit from Bishop Given Gaula to the Diocese of Derry & Raphoe as a means of strengthening the ongoing partnership between that Diocese and the Diocese of Kondoa.  He was warmly welcomed by Bishop Andrew and Mrs Heather Forster, who had spent a week visiting Kondoa in 2025, and in the days that followed took part in a very full programme of events.  These included several meetings sharing with clergy from different Rural Deaneries as well as with lay church members, culminating in a visit to Conwal and Gartan parish where CMSI Chaplain Rev Adrian Dorrian is Rector.  Bishop Given also travelled to Belfast to visit the CMSI office, and onwards to Dublin where he met the principal Dr Maurice Elliot,  staff and students at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, as well as speaking at the annual CMSI Shine event.

In all these contexts Bishop Given spoke warmly and with a very winsome style, impressing all those he met with his heartfelt faith, clear teaching and dynamic approach to church growth.  He has now gone on to visit partners in England, leaving behind a large number of new friends who have been inspired to support him and his team in prayer.  CMS Ireland is committed to fostering these growing links in the spirit of reciprocal partnership centred on the person of Christ, who brings disciples from diverse backgrounds into a mutually supportive relationship.

Pictures from the visit below:

Kondoa visit 2025