Nopece was ordained a deacon in 1978. He gained a diploma in theology at St. Bede's College. He also obtained a BTh at the University of South Africa, in Pretoria, and a master's degree in theology at the University of Glasgow in 1985. He was a lecturer at St. Bede's College.[2] He was appointed as archdeacon of Umtata in 1992 and suffragan bishop of Grahamstown in January 1998. He was consecrated as bishop of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth on 28 July 2001. In November 2017 he announced his retirement, which became effective on 29 July 2018.[3]
Role in the Anglican realignment
Nopece upholds the traditional Anglican stance on homosexuality and condemned the consecration in 2003 of Gene Robinson, the first non-celibate gay bishop of the Episcopal Church, as a defiant act to the Anglican Communion. In his official statement afterwards, he declared that "The consecration as bishop of Gene Robinson, a man living openly in a homosexual relationship with another man in blatant disregard for the teaching of Holy Scripture and the position of the Anglican Communion (expressed in Lambeth resolution 1;10 of 1998), is not an action to be celebrated, but a deep and grievous error to be mourned." He also stated that "We want to emphasise that our protest is not against homosexually inclined persons, but rather against a section of Church leadership which, through this consecration, is attempting to change the fundamental teachings of the Christian faith." He criticized Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane support for the consecration, stating that "The Archbishop of Cape Town has not spoken on behalf of the faithful of this Province, as he has not heard the mind of the Church fully through deliberations of its general councils and Synods on this issue."[4]
Nopece led the seven-member Southern African delegation that participated at the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans meeting in London, England, at 23 – 27 April 2012.[6] He once again led his province ten-members delegation, which included Bishop Nathaniel Nakwatumbah of Namibia, to GAFCON II, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21 to 26 October 2013.[7] Nopece led the province's delegation to GAFCON III, held in Jerusalem, on 17–22 June 2018, comprised by 18 members, 16 from South Africa, Bishop Vicente Msosa, of the Anglican Diocese of Niassa, as the only delegate from Mozambique, and another one from Namibia.[8][9]
