The consecrations took place in Arua, a town of 60,000 in North West Uganda near the borders with Sudan and the Congo. The diocese, with 800 churches and 200 clergy in a population nearing 2 million, is also a springboard for mission in those countries and has been a haven for refugees.

Less than 130 years ago bishops were consecrated for mission in Uganda in London where the gospel has been preached for 1300 years. Now, in Arua, where the gospel has been preached for 80 years, a bishop has been consecrated for mission in London. Had it taken place in London, it would not have been as much fun, nor attended by 1000 children.

Archbishop Orombi stressed that the Archbishop of Canterbury had requested him to appoint and consecrate Sandy Millar in August 2004. "This consecration puts the Church of Uganda on the Global Christian map" he said, adding that he would be attending the enthronement of a Ugandan, Bishop John Sentamu, as Archbishop of York later in the week. Archbishop Orombi and Bishop Sandy Millar have been friends and colleagues for over 25 years since Henry and Phoebe Orombi and their family came to England for study at St John's Nottingham supported by Holy Trinity Brompton.

"The Anglican Church is going through a sickness period. The Global South is offering treatment by remaining faithful" said the Archbishop. Bishop Nathan Kyamanywa of Bunyoro-Kitara reminded the bishops in his sermon that they have a message to deliver. He asked whether the Ugandan church should keep quiet when the monster sin (of homosexual practice) emerges when we have polygamy and corruption. "We equally condemn them all. Our arguments are brushed off as simplistic and uneducated. When we do right we are educated, when we do not we are uneducated." He noted that the new Bishop of Madi/ West Nile was a Ph.D holder. (Almost. Success in his viva in early 2006 will bring the number of Ph.D's among 31 Ugandan bishops to 4. 6 out of the 43 English Diocesans hold earned doctorates).

Bishop Sandy Millar pledged canonical obedience to the Archbishop of Uganda, to be bound by the Church of Uganda constitution and to resign if requested by a two-thirds majority of bishops. In a speech of thanks he said: "All of us with God's help will do anything in our power to continue the missionary work of this province and support in every way we can your loyal and courageous stand for the truth of God's word." His consecration actualised the views expressed at the seminar on episcopacy at the General Synod on November 15 that a bishop is the central figure in a web of congregations; a bishop networked with people rather than identified with territory is the way of the future.

Holy Trinity Brompton presented Bishop Obetia with his pastoral staff. His consecration was an occasion of great joy throughout Arua. One archdeaconry had seceded from the diocese, a number of mission partners had withdrawn, and there were some parts of the diocese the retiring bishop could not visit. Tee-shirts, polo shirts and baseball caps sold out bearing Bishop Joel's face and the text "Forgive as the Lord forgave you Col.3.13" on the back. Bishop Joel charged "I declare forgiveness and healing to all hurt in the name of Jesus. Very soon I will invoke the organs to receive the people of Arua into fellowship."

Bishop Joel was identified by the late Bishop John Taylor to do research on worship and culture at St John's Nottingham and the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. He charged: "Cultural diversity is a gift from God. I encourage people to use their cultural traditions to praise God and celebrate life. The devil did not create anything. He spoils what God gave so we need to recapture everything to praise and worship God."

After the religious ceremony, Professor Mongo Kagonyera, Minister for General Duties representing President Museveni of Uganda, emphasised the contribution the Church of Uganda can make to the life of the nation: "The Church can do more than others in getting people to give up moral degradation." Then the dancing began.

Canon Dr Chris Sugden is Executive Secretary of Anglican Mainstream.