More than thirty overseas guests are expected to witness the enthronement and installation of the sixth Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, the Right Reverend George Angus Takeli this Sunday 17th of April 2016 at the Saint Barnabas Provincial Cathedral.
Amongst many dignitaries who are already in Honiara since Monday are ; Archbishop of New Zealand the Most Rev. Philip Richardson, Rev.Canon Robert Kereopa Executive Officer of the Anglican Mission in New Zealand, the Archbishop of Papua New Guinea, the Most Rev. Clyde Igara, and Rural Dean Ottery Deanery, Vicar of Escot, UK Rev. Catherine Edmonds and Archbdeacon of Chester Diocese in UK Ven. Dr. Michael Gilbertson and his wife Jenny.
A good number of guests from partner Churches and Organizations overseas will arrive on Saturday together with other guests from the dioceses in the country.
Saturday’s program will be rehearsal for those who will take part in the procession and service.
According to the official program the enthronement Service on Sunday will begin at 7:30AM. Guests and congregation are expected to arrive by 7:00AM.
The Rt. Rev. Takeli was elected by the Provincial Electoral Board of the Anglican Church of Melanesia on the 12th of February 2016 at TNK, Tenaru area east Honiara.
He succeeds the retired Archbishop David Vunagi who retired September last year.
Bp Takeli, 56, comes from Suholo village Ulawa Island, Makira Ulawa Province. He was married to Lillian Takeli who passed away in 2014. He has since remarried to Ms June Mole in December 2015.
Bishop Takeli was ordained to the priesthood in 1995 and has served as a priest in the Anglican Church for sixteen years before being made the Bishop of Temotu.
Bp Takeli was undertaking a Doctoral Degree in Theology program at Charles Stuart University in Australia through Pacific Theological College when he was elected as the forth Bishop of the Diocese of Temotu in August 2009.
He also holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from the Auckland University, New Zealand.
In a brief overview of his strategic objectives for the Church, the newly elected Archbishop highlighted his three main priorities will be to establish an active missionary church; to establish a strong and effective administration system; and to establish a strong Investment Division for the Anglican Church of Melanesia.