James Seth (bishop)
James Seth (11 February 1913 – 8 April 1975) was an Anglican bishop in Madagascar. He was the first bishop of Tamatave (now Toamasina)[1] from its creation in 1969 until his death in 1975.
Early life[edit]
Seth was born posthumously in Madagascar in 1913,[2] the son of Baba Seth, a teacher,[3] and Christine Tatelo. Seth was the grandson of Marie Celeste, the first Christian convert of the Anglican mission in Tamatave.[4] He was educated at mission schools and at a government school.[5]
Clerical career[edit]
He trained for ordination at St Paul's Theological College, Antananarivo,[6] and St Boniface College, Warminster,[7] which trained ordinands specifically for missionary work. He was ordained deacon in 1942 and priest in 1945.[8] He served his title at Ampasimanjeva (1942-45) and was then Priest-in-Charge (1945-49), before becoming Priest-in-Charge of Tamatave (1949-61).[9]
He was consecrated bishop in the chapel at Lambeth Palace in 1961 and was then an assistant bishop in what was then the Diocese of Madagascar.[10] At the time of the announcement of his appointment as a bishop, he was Rural Dean of Tamatave.[11] On the splitting of the Diocese into three dioceses in 1969, he became the inaugural bishop of the Diocese of Tamatave.[12] He died in 1975,[13] and was succeeded by Samuel Rafanomezane, Archdeacon of Tamatave.[14] After his death both the town and diocese of Tamatave were renamed Toamasina.[15]
Civic honours and legacy[edit]
Seth remained in post during the 1947 Malagasy Uprising.[16] He was made an Officer of L’Ordre National de la République Malgache in 1964.[17]
A school in Toamasina is named after Seth,[18] as is a street.[19]
References[edit]
- ^ "Church Times: "Death of USPG missionary", 14 May 1982, p 3". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Church Times: "Inside of the Week", 30 March 1961, p 8". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Church Times: "New Bishop of Madagascar Has Royal Blood", 24 March 1961, p 1". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Church Times: "New Bishop of Madagascar Has Royal Blood", 24 March 1961, p 1". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Church Times: "Inside of the Week", 30 March 1961, p 8". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Church Times: "Inside of the Week", 30 March 1961, p 8". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1973-74, 85th Edition, p 862.
- ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1973-74, 85th Edition, p 862.
- ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1973-74, 85th Edition, p 862.
- ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1973-74, 85th Edition, p 862.
- ^ "Church Times: "New Bishop of Madagascar Has Royal Blood", 24 March 1961, p 1". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1973-74, 85th Edition, p 1370.
- ^ "Church Times: "Death of Bishop James Seth", 11 April 1975, p 20". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Church Times: "Two New Bishops for Madagascar", 1 August 1975, p 16". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Church Times: "Death of USPG missionary", 14 May 1982, p 3". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Church Times: "Death of Bishop James Seth", 11 April 1975, p 20". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1973-74, 85th Edition, p 862.
- ^ "Geoview: Collège Anglican James Seth". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Anglican Communion: Diocese of Toamasina". Retrieved 8 June 2021.
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