The Bishop of Kumi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Michael Okwii Esakan has written to seven priests who reportedly joined the Reformed Anglican Church to hand over all instruments and church houses to the new parish priests.
They are Rev. G. William Opesen of Okum Okamole Parish, Rev. Sam Osire of Ajeluk Parish, Rev. Emmanuel Ecae of Olungia Parish and Rev. Solomon Odeke of Kanyum Parish. The others are Rev. Janet Akurut, the Chaplain of Bishop Maraka College, Rev. James Opedun of Ariet Parish and Rev. Ignatius Omugen of Mukura Parish.
The seven are reported to have attended the launch of the Reformed Anglican Church in Kumi on April 24, 2022, where they allegedly expressed their dissatisfaction with the Church of Uganda Diocese of Diocese. The May 4th letter indicates that the implicated clergy have since declined to denounce the new faith in writing as per Canon.3:26 of the Provincial Canons.
The Reformed Anglican Church, founded by the former Archdeacon and College Tutor in Rwenzori Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prof. Jonathan Kyangasha is now home for Rev. Charles Okunya Oode who was denied to ascend to the highest office in Kumi Diocese in 2020. Rev. Okunya joined the Reformed Anglican Church with a number of clergymen from the Kumi Diocese including lay readers.
Several Christians from Kumi Diocese who were dissatisfied joined the team that is now under the Upper Nile Diocese.
According to Bishop Esakan, he was informed about the conversion of the clergy to the Reformed Anglican Church by the Kumi Diocesan Administrator.
“We hereby advise you to hand over Church of Uganda Diocese of Kumi instruments of work and authority, and a house in your possession to your respective Parish Priests as soon as possible (seven days) upon receipt of this letter”, the letter reads in part.
The bishop also urged the coverts to respect the Anglican faith of the Church of Uganda as they settle in their newly founded church. “And we pray that you find solace and peace in the new ‘home’ without unnecessarily frustrating, affecting and maligning the Church of Uganda Diocese of Kumi administration and religious formation being in mind that, Canon. 3:26.5 having taken effect”, he added.
When contacted, Rev. James Opedun said that he had not received any communication regarding the handover. Rev. Opedun is among the three Christians from the Kumi Diocese who sought an injunction to block the consecration of Rev. Esakan early in March. The others are Nekemiah Akongel and Joseph Etoori.
He was later suspended by Bishop Esakan on March 18, 2022. But Rev. Opedun says he has not received the said suspension letter since March. “At first, it was suspension without any letter and now it is a handover! I am ready and have been waiting since March. How many times has he gone out to bury Muslims? Did that turn him into a Muslim?”, he asked on phone.
Rev. Opedun said that much as he attended the prayers for the launch of the Reformed Anglican Church in Kumi, he has not denounced his church. “As we talk, I am in church and I will continue to do my work normally until I receive the said letters. But I must tell you that my luggage has been parked from the day I heard that I had been suspended from church”, he added.
Prior to the launch of the new church, Bishop Esakan had written to Rev. Okunya, demanding accountability but the 14- days ultimatum he gave to the former priest of the Kumi diocese has since elapsed without any action
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