A team from the ACOM Provincial Headquarters and representatives from the seven Dioceses here in Solomon Islands will depart to Vanuatu on Thursday to officiate and witness the event.
The Archbishop of the church, the Most Reverend George Takeli will lead the team consisting of the General Secretary Dr. Abraham Hauriasi, the Senior Bishop of the Church and Bishop of the Diocese of Guadalcanal the Rt Rev. Nathan Tome, Bishop of the Diocese of Hanuato’o the Rt Rev Alfred Karibongi, and the ACOM Mission Secretary Rev. Nigel Kelaepa.
Reverend James Tama will become the sixth Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Vanuatu succeeding the late Rt. Rev. James Ligo who passed away on December 2017.
The Diocesan Electoral Board of the Diocese of Vanuatu and New Caledonia (DOVNC) elected Rev. Tama on the 12th of April 2018 in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Reverend Tama is currently serving as the Assistant Mission Secretary of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, based in Santo, Vanuatu when he was elected, a post he held since 2015. He has held various positions in the Church including Deputy Principal of the Bishop Patteson Theological College , Kohimarama, and the first Principal of the Fisher Young School of Theology and Ministry based in the Diocese of Banks and Torres, Vanuatu.
Revd Tama holds a Master’s degree in Theology in the field of Church History from the Pacific Theological College, Fiji.
He comes from Saranamai Villaga, West Ambae, in Vanuatu. Revd Tama is married to Mrs Diana Tama and together they have six children.
The Archbishop calls on all members of the Anglican Church of Melanesia to uphold Revd Tama and his family in prayer as they prepare to take on this important responsibility in the church.