The church is growing in the north of Madagascar -- the church building in the town of Ambilobe in the Antakarana is being extended.

"We laid the foundation for the extension of the Church on Wednesday 9 March, with Archdeacon Rakotovao Alphege who is the Parish priest," reports the Rt Revd Roger FH Chung Po Chuen, Bishop of Antsiranana.

"Please pray that the Ambilobe Church will be ready for the ordination of four priests and two deacons on 4 September 2005 and that we will meet all the required expenses for that purpose."

He said his predecessor, Bishop Keith Benzies -- who is buried in the Ambilobe churchyard "planted a fruitful mission" in the town. He added: "One of the future deacons is David Hamilton, a newly-hatched missionary who has just landed in our Diocese."