DP Gachagua Urges Peaceful Transition in Mt Kenya’s Anglican Church Succession » Capital News

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 14 – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for the withdrawal of lawsuits halting the succession process at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Mt Kenya West Diocese following the departure of Archbishop Joseph Kagunda.

Speaking in Nyeri county on Sunday, Gachagua emphasized the importance of a peaceful transition, warning that discord during this period would only breed division among worshippers.

“I urge those who have taken legal action, now that the Archbishop is overseeing the transition, to withdraw their cases and allow for a smooth process in appointing a new Bishop,” he appealed.

According to Anglican Church of Kenya protocols, 16 representatives, selected by the governing council consisting of the House of Bishops, the Clergy, and the Laity, are tasked with electing the next bishop.

The court intervention came after a church member challenged the transition process, arguing that the leadership failed to initiate the required steps for electing a new bishop, which should have occurred by April 15, 2024, following Bishop Kagunda’s retirement after two decades of service.

Bishop Kagunda previously faced controversy after a legal dispute involving three priests suspended over alleged homosexuality in 2018. They were later reinstated by court order, with the bishop instructed to assign them to various parishes in Othaya and compensate them with Sh6.8 million.

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