Companion Dioceses

Diocese of Brechin, Scotland

Diocese of Swaziland, Southern Africa

Diocese of Iowa, U.S.

Joint Intercession List 2008 (.pdf download prints on legal-size paper)

A Brief History of the Companionship
     The three-way companionship among Iowa, Swaziland and Brechin, Scotland, became official in 1990, but the relationships reaches back much further. Our link with Brechin was made official in 1982, and the late Bernard L. Mkhabela, Bishop of Swaziland, and Bishop Walter Righter explored of a three-way companionship in 1988. The idea was endorsed by the Diocesan convention that year, with national recognition coming two years later. Bishop C. Christopher Epting traveled to Swaziland and Brechin shortly after his investiture, and he worked to expand the relationships under his watch.

     The heart of diocesan companionship is joining together in mission.  To this end Iowans and their companions in Swaziland and Scotland pray for one another daily through the Joint Intercession List. (See link above) 

     Over the years Iowans have made five trips to Swaziland, most recently in November 2004. The bishops of Brechin and Swaziland attended the ordination of Alan Scarfe as 9th Bishop of Iowa in 2003. Small groups of Scots and Swazis have also made exchange visits to Iowa. Both the Iowa and Swazi bishops are honorary canons of the Cathedral in Dundee, Scotland.