Life in abundance
The life of Fr. JP Heath, from the Namibian desert to the gangways of Malmö, in eight chapters.
Fr. JP Heath is an Anglican priest and seafarers’ chaplain with Sjömanskyrkan in Malmö, based in the parish of S:t Petri. He helped found INERELA+, the network of religious leaders living with or affected by HIV, and co-edited three books on scripture and sexuality.
1960s Desert sun, early questions
Namibia
Born into an Afrikaans family under Namibia’s wide, dry horizons, where colonial rule and racial classification raised early questions about scripture and about who was welcome at God’s table. In 2024 he went back for his 60th birthday, carrying Bibles to rural communities.1 Source: “Bringing Bibles to Namibia”, 9 November 2024.
1980s A conscience formed
Potchefstroom, South Africa
He studied theology at Potchefstroom University in apartheid’s last bitter decade. Hearing churches name apartheid a heresy, he chose discipleship over privilege, and found a home in the multiracial, sacramental life of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
Theology is never a neutral intellectual exercise. If it does not bring liberation to the oppressed and wounded, it is merely noise.
1994 Called and ordained
Johannesburg
Ordained deacon at St Michael’s, Bryanston, in 1994, the year South Africans queued in their millions to vote for the first time, and priest at the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, Johannesburg, in 1995. He preached at St. George’s Cathedral, Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s “People’s Cathedral”.2 Source: the frjpheath.com timeline; the places from JP, October 2026.
2000 Breaking the silence
Johannesburg
In May 2000, while serving at Christ Church, Mayfair, he tested positive for HIV. Treatment was scarce, and when he asked the church for help paying for it, an official asked why the clergy should pay for his “transgressions”. He chose to speak openly, one of the first Anglican priests in Africa to do so.3 Source: “My HIV Journey as a Priest”, 1 December 2024.
It was a moment that split my life in two.
2002 A network without shame
Johannesburg, Geneva, Manila
He helped found INERELA+, the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV, and went on to work with UNAIDS and the World Council of Churches. “We created a space where religious leaders could speak openly, without shame.”4 Source: “My HIV Journey as a Priest”. The frjpheath.com timeline dates this work 2005 to 2018; his essay gives 2002 for the founding.
2013 Received with joy
Sweden
In 2013 the Church of Sweden invited him to work on HIV. His first question to his new boss was what the church would say about his status. The answer: “Absolutely nothing.” He was received with joy, and today serves in the Diocese of Lund, based in the parish of S:t Petri, Malmö.5 Source: “My HIV Journey as a Priest”; the year from JP, October 2026.
Today Up the gangway
Port of Malmö
As chaplain with Sjömanskyrkan, the Seafarers’ Church, he climbs the gangways of cargo ships on the Öresund to meet crews who spend nine to twelve months away from home. He brings Wi-Fi cards, blessings and time to listen. “Despite having very little, they often share the most amazing meals with us.”6 Source: “The Heart of the Harbor”, 23 July 2025.
Always The open table
Malmö
Around slow-braised osso buco and Easter hot cross buns, strangers become companions: from the Latin com-panis, those who break bread together.7 Source: the frjpheath.com timeline, and “Osso Buco”, 31 July 2022.
