Jenan Taylor
29 June 2023
A former scholar at Trinity and Ridley colleges and Anglican Communion director of mission has received the Cross of St Augustine for his outstanding leadership in the Anglican Communion.
The Reverend Canon John Kafwanka Kaoma was one of two Trinity College associates honoured with a prestigious Lambeth Award by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
It celebrates recipients’ efforts in a range of areas, including community service, worship, interfaith co-operation and education.
Mr Kafwanka’s citation highlighted his contributions as Director for Mission at the Anglican Communion Office, including his work in encouraging churches to engage with the Marks of Mission.
An ordained priest in the Anglican Church of Zambia, Mr Kafwanka was principal of the country’s St John’s Anglican Seminary. He worked as the Church Mission Society (Britain) regional manager for Southern Africa.
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Mr Kafwanka served on the executive council of the Edinburgh 2010 General Council and is a member of Zambia’s Northrise University’s board of trustees.
A visiting scholar at Ridley and Trinity colleges in the 1990s, he has retained a strong association with them, and with Australia.
Melbourne diocese Social Responsibilities Committee chair Reverend Dr Gordon Preece described Mr Kafwanka as a world Christian who was accomplished at engaging across national boundaries.
Dr Preece said Mr Kafwanka was also proficient in forging links with youth and schools in the Diocese of London with his warmth and humility.
“He always had a strong sense of reaching people who were on the outside, and once established, built on those connections really well,” Dr Preece said.
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