A PROMINENT African church leader worshipped with a Whetstone congregation at the weekend to celebrate the link between two diverse communities.

The Archbishop of southern Africa, The Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, held sermons at the parish church of St John the Apostle, in High Road, on Saturday and Sunday, and met with the community to discuss the contrasting needs of people living in his homeland.

The visit also marked 125 years since the formation of The Sisters of the Community of the Resurrection of Our Lord, based in Grahamstown, South Africa, which was established by two missionaries from London in 1884.

The connection between the religious order and the borough has continued for more than 60 years, since the Sisters set up a London centre that was based in Oakleigh Park South.

Archbishop Makgoba said on his visit: “It was wonderful to remind me that we all belong, by virtue of our being human, to one big family.

“For me to be here to see where 125 years ago someone from here left for Africa with the vision of making a new community is amazing.

“The thought someone from England went over to Africa to bring hope and healing, starting small but believing their small gift could make a difference, can only be attributed to the miracle of god making the extraordinary happen.”

The community was set up in South Africa to undertake pastoral, educational, and later social welfare work, and regular life of monastic Offices and personal prayer still continues to be maintained in Grahamstown.

Archbishop Makgoba said the need for support was as great as ever, with problems around HIV, learning and racial divides still prominent in the culture.

He said: “It is amazing what they set up back then but it is as appropriate and urgent now as we try to develop and work in a democracy.

“Democracy is a messy business and we are here to help with every day life in the hope that through education and pastoral care we can actually empower people. We want to make democracy work and give people skills.”

The base in Whetstone is no longer owned by the order, but the Dioceses of London still use it for education and spiritual work.

Father Kevin Mitchell, who leads the church in Whetstone, said they maintain strong links with South Africa and help run a school for street children.

He said: “It is frightening to go over there and deal with the problems of drugs, violence and prostitution on the streets. We try to take the children away from that and give them a home.

“Archbishop Makgoba is a wonderful man and together we are trying to raise the awareness of some of the issues.

“His visit helps us remember that whatever our differences are, the things that unit us are much more important in this world, and we all have a special relationship with Jesus Christ.”