Province of Sudan Elects Seven New Bishops

Posted On : October 26, 2009 3:44 PM
By The Anglican Church News Service: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/10/26/ACNS4663

The Province of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan elected seven new bishops in All Saints' Cathedral, Juba on Saturday 24th October 2009.

Five of the seven are to be the first bishops of newly created dioceses, whilst two are replacing bishops who have retired this year from existing dioceses.

The new dioceses that have gained their first bishops-elect are Terekeka, Pacong, Akot, Twic East and Nzara. Those existing dioceses that elected new bishops are Wau and Rejaf.

The election was presided over with his usual professionalism by Provincial Chancellor Hon. Majok Mading Majok, who first confirmed as bishops-elect those candidates from dioceses where they had been the single episcopal nominee. In three of these dioceses, the single candidates are already assistant bishops. These were:

The Diocese of Terekeka: Rt Revd Micah Leila Dawidi The Diocese of Pacong: Rt Revd Joseph Maker Atot The Diocese of Akot: Rt Revd Isaac Dhieu Ater The Diocese of Nzara: Revd Samuel Enosa Peni

Chancellor Majok then continued with the election of bishops for the contested dioceses of Wau, Rejaf and Twic East, which was conducted by secret ballot, the successful candidate requiring a simple majority for victory.

The Diocese of Wau was contested between Revd Martin Maker, Revd Moses Deng Bol and Revd Angelo Aguer Akue. In his brief hust, Revd Angelo stepped down, resulting in a contest between Revd Martin and Revd Moses.

The Electoral College elected Revd Moses Deng Bol as the Bishop-Elect of Wau by 53 votes to 32 out of 86, or 62% of the vote.

The Diocese of Rejaf was contested between Revd Canon Enock Tombe Stephen and Revd Canon Thomas Kedini Legge. The Electoral College elected Revd Enock Tombe as the Bishop-Elect of Rejaf by 66 votes to 21 out of 87, or 76% of the vote.
The Diocese of Twic East was contested between Rt Revd Ezekiel Diing Ajang, Revd Mark Atem and Revd Lt. Col. Elijah Biar Kuek. Revd Elijah stepped down during his hust saying that he wanted to continue to devote himself to his army chaplaincy work, resulting in a contest between Bishop Ezekiel and Revd Mark. The Electoral College elected Rt Revd Ezekiel Diing as the Bishop-Elect of Twic East by 64 votes to 21 out of 85, or 75% of the vote.

The various consecrations and enthronements will take place in the respective dioceses over the next few months, beginning in Terekeka next Sunday 1st November, All Saints' Day. The Archbishop closed in prayer, asking that these new leaders will further unite and develop the Episcopal Church of the Sudan.