wfn.org | New Anglican Bishop for the Nuba Mountains

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 2864 - SUDAN - 8 February 2002

New Bishop for the Nuba Mountains

25 January 2002

[Province of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan] A new Bishop of Kadugli has
been elected by the Episcopal Church of the Sudan. The election went ahead
yesterday in All Saints' Cathedral, Khartoum, despite earlier attempts by a
dissident group to disrupt the proceedings.

The new bishop is the Rt Revd Andodo Adam Elneel, formerly Diocesan
Secretary for the Kadugli Nuba Mountains Diocese. He travelled from Kadugli
to Khartoum for the elections, together with the other members of the
diocese chosen by their Diocesan Synod to participate in the electoral body.

Following the successful completion of the election, the Archbishop of the
Episcopal Church of the Sudan, the Most Revd Joseph Marona, declared: "We
must thank God for this election. Today we have seen His works and His power
in the choosing of a new leader for His people in the Nuba Mountains."

Earlier in the week, supporters of the previous bishop, who was dismissed
from his position last year after disregarding a series of disciplinary
actions, had issued threats against senior church personnel. On Tuesday they
forced entry into All Saints' Cathedral smashing church furniture and
destroying office equipment. The Provost, Canon Sylvester Thomas, was beaten
almost unconscious. Two other staff members were also beaten by the group
before the police intervened, arresting a number of the intruders. Speaking
during the election, the Archbishop encouraged the assembled bishops,
pastors, and lay representatives: "Through the events of the week, our faith
has been tested to strengthen us to do God's work. As it says in the first
letter of St Peter: 'But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake,
you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.'"

The new bishop's consecration takes place today at 11.00am at All Saints'
Cathedral.

The newly elected bishop, at 33 years old, becomes the youngest bishop in
the ECS. He is married with two sons. In December 2001, his wife, the Revd
Jaleela Ayoub Aramla, became the first woman to be ordained priest in the
North of Sudan since the ECS agreed to allow women to be ordained in
February 2000.

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