Election of New Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan is First of its Kind

IRD’s Church Alliance for a New Sudan friend and member, the Reverend John Chol Daau attended the Provincial Synod and election of the new Archbishop of Sudan that took place in Juba, South Sudan last week. Here is the report from the ground in Southern Sudan.

The Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS),  an Anglican province, has elected the Rt. Rev. Daniel Deng Bul of the Diocese of Renk to serve in the topmost position as the 4^th Primate and Archbishop of Sudan. The elections took place on February 14, 2008 during an emergency Provincial General Synod at All Saints Cathedral in Juba,South Sudan. His Grace Daniel Deng will succeed Archbishop Dr. Joseph Marona, who stepped down from office on December 31, 2007. After serving eight years as Sudan’s Primate, Marona left office two years in advance of his scheduled retirement, due to poor health.

Attendees to the Provincial General Synod of the Episcopal Church of Sudan worship at All Saints Cathedral in Juba, South Sudan.  (Photo courtesy the Rev. John C. Daau)

Bishop Deng was elected on the first ballot out of three contestants in an election which the delegates described as the “first of its kind” in the ECS. The Rt. Rev. Deng, a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, garnered 39 votes; the Rt. Rev. Francis Loyo, Bishop of Rokon Diocese received 21; and the Rt. Rev. Ezekiel Kondo, Bishop of Khartoum Diocese received 15. There were 75 voting delegates, including 28 bishops, and other clergy and laity. TheProvince ofSudanis made up of 24 dioceses, each of which sent a delegation of three to the general provincial and electoral synod.

According to the Sudan Episcopal Provincial constitution, the winning candidate is required to acquire two-third of the votes.  Failure to achieve that majority calls for a second round of votes. The candidate with the least amount of votes is to be eliminated, and the second vote should proceed between the two remaining candidates.

In this case, Bishop Kondo was eliminated, and before the synod could proceed to the second round of ballots, Bishop Loyo gave way and asked all delegates to support Bishop Deng as the new head of the Episcopal Anglican Province inSudan.

Therefore, Bishop Deng was announced the Archbishop-Elect and the elections were completed on the first session, a position that characterizes the uniqueness of this ECS 4^th election of the Archbishop. The 3 days election progression started Wednesday February 13 with a retreat facilitated by The Rt. Rev. David Stancliffe from the ECS partner, the Diocese of Salisbury, UK. The newly elected Archbishop is due to be enthroned on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at All Saints Cathedral in Juba South Sudan.