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ROANOKE: Rwandan Anglicans Add Fourth Bishop in the US
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
February 7, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013 was a red letter day for the Rev. Dr. R. Quigg Lawrence Jr., senior pastor of Church of the Holy Spirit in Roanoke, Virginia. He was consecrated the fourth bishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda in North America in his home church.
Presiding over the event was Archbishop Onesphore Rwaje of La Province De L'Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda (PEAR) and Archbishop Robert Duncan of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA.) Dr. Lawrence will be seated as a bishop in the House of Bishops of both Provinces.
Some 900 guests from across the country and around the world were in attendance including Rwanda. Also in attendance were three members of the Rwandan House of Bishops (P.E.A.R.) including Archbishop Onesphore Rwaje, Bishop Alexis Bilindabagabo (Dean of the Province), and Bishop John Rucyahana. All these men suffered through the Rwandan Genocide. Three PEAR USA bishops were present: Bishop Steve Breedlove, Bishop Terrell Glenn, and Bishop Ken Ross. Three members of the ACNA were also present. They included Archbishop Robert Duncan, Bishop John Guernsey and Bishop Foley Beach.
It was an Episcopal Parish from 1988-2000. The diocese came after after their property but could not get it because Rio Grande Bishop Terence Kelshaw advised them back then to for a 501(c)3 Foundation.
In February 2000, the Church of the Holy Spirit chose to connect to the Worldwide Anglican Communion through the Anglican Church in Rwanda. CHS answered the call to spread the gospel through church plants. In October 2002, CHS planted "CHS: Orchard Hills" in Daleville. Begun with about 80 CHS members, Orchard Hills now enjoys a Sunday attendance of over 500. In 2005, another church plant "CHS: The River" was launched in Blacksburg. In October 2012, "Restoration" Church was planted in Salem.
PEAR USA spans 29 states and is committed to the authority of scripture and the hallmarks of the East African Revival: reconciliation, transparency, conciliar decision-making and governance, and gospel-driven mission.
Consecration is a rare event. Statistically, a given Anglican congregation could expect to see one of their priests elevated to the office of Bishop about once every 200 years. As a bishop, Lawrence will care for the clergy of congregations throughout the mid-Atlantic region. He will preside over the ordination of priests and deacons, and will provide counsel to clergy and leadership in mission and decision-making.
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