On 1st November, Geoff Brown (Crick), Debbie Marsh and Rev’d. Susie Parsons (Oakham) and Canon Clive Evans (Long Buckby) visited Bungoma, our link Diocese, to witness the Consecration of the Ven. George Mechumo as the second Bishop of Bungoma.
The vacancy in see arose because the former Bishop, Dr. Eliud Wabukala, was made Archbishop of Kenya earlier this year. This was Dr. Eliud’s first occasion to carry out a service of consecration and all the more important thanks to Bungoma being his ‘sending diocese’ and indeed his home.
Bishops are appointed in the Anglican Church of Kenya by election (as in many parts of the Anglican Communion). This election was hotly contested and the field narrowed down to a shortlist of three candidates. Sadly, there was controversy about the conduct of the election and Archdeacon George topped the poll by just one vote. (This is not unusual either!)
So, there was some tension in the air as the big day dawned. The service was naturally a long one and took place in a local sports stadium, at Kanduyi, just to the north of the town centre of Bungoma. Thankfully, all were (more or less) able to sit or stand in the shade under a strong midday tropical sun.
The service comprised the usual elements for such an occasion. There were Bible readings and a sermon (from the Bishop of Mombasa); there were prayers and litanies; due process of law was followed; an outline of the election and now the Archbishop’s mandate to proceed; oaths were administered by the three bewigged diocesan chancellors; the new bishop was consecrated by the laying on of hands, supported by a number of other bishops, and then vested and attired; he gave his ‘Charge’ (detailing his vision for the Diocese) and was welcomed by various persons and representatives, including friends from the Diocese of Peterborough. There were several choirs present and the proceedings were interspersed with musical offerings from them. Finally, we all repaired to the ‘changing rooms’ for a rather late lunch.
It was good and important that the Diocese of Peterborough was represented. It lent our support to the Diocese of Bungoma in general and to the new Bishop in particular. He does not have an easy task!
Thereafter, Geoff left for the UK, having spent a number of weeks inspected newly-built water harvesting tanks and surveying for others. Debbie and Susie spent several days visiting Kapkatenyi with which Oakham is linked and elsewhere making contact with local parish nurses. Clive visited a couple of places in Bungoma but felt it best to leave Bishop George in peace and quiet. He returned to Nairobi and spent a couple of days with Archbishop Eliud. And he saw something of the life and work of the Cathedral Diocese of All Saints, Eliud’s ‘own’ diocese, including visits to Kibera, a slum of one million people.
Through the friendship and fellowship of Bishop Ian and Archbishop Eliud, we have seen our diocesan link flourish over the last decade. Now we are at a new beginning, with new bishops at the helm (or soon to be) of both dioceses. It’s an important moment.
Please pray for Bishop George and Justine Mechumo, Bishop-designate Donald and Janice Allister, and their families. Pray for Archbishop Eliud in his new rôle. (Also it is the anniversary of the death of his son, Renson, on 2nd January).
And please pray for the future of our diocesan link.
Clive Evans
Chair of Bungoma Link Committee
12th November, 2009.