The Bishop of Salisbury, Dr David Stancliffe, has launched a pre-retirement appeal on behalf of Bishop Gwynne College (BGC) in Juba, Sudan, the Episcopal Church of the Sudan’s main college for training ministers and priests.
The Diocese of Salisbury has been twinned with the Episcopal Church of the Sudan for 37 years.
Housed in temporary accommodation due to the Civil War which caused over 2 million deaths, BGC had fallen into a state of disrepair. In early 2009 Archbishop Daniel Deng closed the college, and invited Canon Trevor Stubbs, then Rector of Bridport, to re-establish the college’s teaching, plan new buildings, and expand its work.
20 students recommenced their studies in February, but BGC needs to take another 50 students, which means expansion to a new site.
A location has been found next in Juba. To secure it fencing needs to be erected before debris from demolished buildings can be removed, existing buildings upgraded, a new building erected to house the chapel and library, and water borehole and sanitation established as the first stage of development.
It is hoped that the full redevelopment can be complete by 2012. The first phase will cost £66000, and the Bishop has appealed to parishes, organizations and individuals to help him raise this as quickly as possible, by June at the latest.
Dr Stancliffe said today, ‘In my 17 years as Bishop I have never launched an appeal in aid of the Sudan because of our ongoing support. But now my time to leave in July is nearing, helping this bold vision get off the ground would mean far more to me than any farewell gift.’
He added, ‘Donations are welcome from parishes and individuals, preferably using a Gift Aid Form to increase the amount collected. Cheques made out to ‘Salisbury DBF - Bishop David’s Sudan Appeal’ should be sent to the Diocesan Accountant at Church House, Crane St, Salisbury SP1 2QB.’
Further information please contact:
Jonathan Ball, Senior Chaplain to the Bishop of Salisbury
Telephone: 01722 334031/07787 75856
