from the National Aborignal & Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission

Chair of NATSIEC and Anglican Bishop of the Torres Strait Islands, Bishop Saibo Mabo, and his wife Sanya, together with NATSIEC Commissioner and Aboriginal Bishop James Leftwich and his wife Lala, celebrated the ‘Coming of the Light’ with the Council for World Missions (CWM) on the 1st July, in London.

The ‘Coming of the Light’ celebrates the day in 1871 when Missionaries from the London Missionary Society (LMS) arrived on the shores of the Torres Strait bringing Christianity with them. Every year this day is celebrated by re-enacting the arrival. The London Missionary Society is now known as CWM.

Bishop Saibo Mabo said, “It is a special day for us to remember the coming of the word of the Lord into our lives. We were reborn. This day is like Christmas Day for us, a time of great celebration, of song, dance and feasting”.

“We are very happy to celebrate here with the old London Missionary Society, and to talk about how Christianity is very much alive in the Torres Strait. It is also good to hear what has happened to the LMS because we never knew they still worked to bring the word of the Lord to many people in the world”.

“We were interested to be told about the great work that CWM continues to do particularly their work with the poor and disadvantaged”, Bishop Saibo Mabo said.

Bishop James Leftwich also remarked on the significance of meeting with CWM, “we were once the mission field, but now we are the mission force. It is important for us to share our faith with those who once shared theirs with us”.       

Both Bishops thanked CWM for their hospitality and the opportunity to share with them how the LCM sowed the seeds, but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples now express and experience Christ through their own cultures.

For further comment contact: Graeme Mundine + 44 (0) 7900426161

Wednesday 2nd July - Bishops Mabo and Leftwich will meet British MPs at the House of Commons.