Despite facing the double tragedy of losing two close relatives just 24 hours before he was to take to the pulpit for the last time, Anglican Church bishop of the Port Elizabeth diocese Nceba Bethlehem Nopece bowed out with grace at his final church service in New Brighton on Sunday.
Following a farewell gala dinner held in his honour at the Feather Market Centre on Saturday, Nopece, 68, received news of the death of relative Dende Nopece, 74, at about midnight.
A few hours later, as he prepared for his final service at the Nangoza Jebe Hall on Sunday morning, he received news of his eldest sister, Dudu Esther Nomathamsanqa Nopece’s, death from lung cancer.
While the now retired clergyman described the loss as tragic, he soldiered on with the business of the day with his family, fellow bishops, pastors and priests by his side along with scores of members of the Anglican Church.
“Lately I have been surrounded by tragedies, mostly from the people I love the most, and with that being said, I ask that you keep us in your prayers as we grieve the losses of our loved ones and celebrate [my retirement] today,” he said.
Nopece retires after 27 years of service to the church.
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip was among the special guests at the service, alongside Bishop of the Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) diocese of the Anglican Church Ebenezer Ntlali, the Reverend Canon Karen Groepe and several other leaders of the church.
Trollip spoke about the integrity of Nopece during his time in the Nelson Mandela Bay Church Leadership Group.
“Bishop Nopece is gifted with the ability to make you feel very comfortable in his presence,” he said.
“His inimitable way of humility rubs off very easily and him coming to my offices to pray for not just the mayor but everyone every Tuesday is evidence of that humility.
“When he [speaks] about equality and service, it strikes me that what he says is what he does and we could all learn a lot from that kind of humility.
“He has enriched us all with his service.
“Over and above, he has enriched me personally, spiritually. He has brought me closer to God simply through leading by example.”
He said his association with Nopece had developed into a friendship he was proud of.
“We are blessed as this country and I think the Anglican Church is in good hands in the leadership of men who have conviction in Christ and incredible moral conviction.”
The position of bishop of the Anglican Church’s Port Elizabeth diocese is now vacant until Nopece’s replacement has been ordained.
In the interim, dean Mark Derry has been licensed as vicar-general and will work under Cape Town archbishop Thabo Makgoba to oversee the Port Elizabeth diocese.
Ntlali represented Makgoba in absentia.
Derry will officially commence his duties on August 1.
In his last sermon, Nopece encouraged leaders of the congregation to unify and place love above all things in their services, a quality that was essential in their task to make disciples who were carriers of the grace of God.
It was important to be aware that Jesus Christ was not a church building but members of the congregation were what forms a church, he said.
Nopece and Ntlali urged the congregation to respect and pray for Derry, his family and the Nopece family going forward.