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Giving thanks for Bishop Kito's 20th

Anne Candy, who serves on Te Hīnota Whānui General Synod for Te Pihopatanga o Te Tai Tokerau took to social media this week to express her thanks for Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu's twenty years of ministry as Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau.

Anne Candy  |  24 Feb 2022

Today we celebrate the consecration of our Pihopa o Te Tai Tokerau 20 years ago!Pihopa Te Kitohi Pikaahu ONZM ...congratulations
 At the time he was ordained bishop, Bishop Kito was the youngest bishop in the Anglican communion  ... a Maori from New Zealand making world history. What a celebration ....!
Bishop Kito, I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of the House of Laity in Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, on that day. I spoke on "obedience".

It would appear you listened as you have undertaken your responsibilities adhering to the Canons, building the Church, welcoming lost sheep, teaching the Good News and walking a pathway of truth as an obedient Shepherd .... we could not have had a better advocate, mentor, intercessor, guide, teacher or protector.
With a gift of vast whakapapa knowledge. You are a connector extraordinaire, which encompasses whanaungatanga in a captivating way .... just as Jesus did, through personal parables and miracles in our own stories and reality .... our tūpuna were mighty, and we are holding your hand as we stand upon their shoulders ... witnesses, pilgrims, trailblazers and humble obedient servants.
Bishop Kito, your glory becomes our glory as we traverse holy ground like Moses, taking off our shoes, and stepping out obediently in faith each day on a mission to obey ... to feed the lambs, tend the sheep, feed the sheep with God-given love! Caring, sharing, bearing 
We owe so much to God for choosing you to be our Bishop, His chosen one. You may travel the world yet know that God's Own is Aotearoa;
you may obey commands nationwide yet know nothing compares to the 'tent' pitched in Te Tai Tokerau;
you may meet world leaders and dignitaries yet feel the power of grassroots Ngāpuhi;
you may address unjust structures in the knowledge that the truth lies within the Spirit of peace and unity;
you may put on the Armour of God daily not to fight but to remember ... that is where obedience is evidenced!It has been my honour, privilege and learning to have been your Commissary the whole time to date ... I have endeavoured to be your faithful sojourner. I have the deepest love and respect for you, and yours, and appreciate the fact that I was part of God's plan that this should be so.Enjoy a wonderful day on today's road to Emmaus, although I doubt whether you would be unrecognised!!!! You have walked with us to maturity in Christ that obedience provides ... we shall assuredly step out and not stumble, thanks be to God! Change is good .... if change is for the good .... ae marika! Takoto te pai!!!

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