Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
By John Actually
June 13, 2011 (BOR)-Senior members of the church have left after Bishop of Bor Diocese, Akurdit Ngong, was consecrated and inaugurated on 12 June by Archbishop Daniel Deng Bull and bishops of other dioceses.
The bishop of Lui dioceses, Stephen Dokolo and the bishop of Bor dioceses, Akurdit Ngong were elected on 14 May by the Electoral College in Juba.
Ngong faced opposition from some young pastors who backed Nathaniel Bol Ngok for the post. After Akurdit was the elected Bishop of Bor a group opted to form the Lutheran Church, the first of its kind in Bor dioceses.
In a letter addressed to Ngong after the inauguration on 12 June, the group defectors alerted the the new bishop of their position, declaring the end of their membership in ECS, accusing the diocese of a lack of spiritual and physical development, incompatible of the Youth Mam , the Zion church and ‘ghost marriages’ with Biblical teachings.
Youth Mam is a mixed group of Christian choirs and mobile preachers charged with responsibility of praying for peaceful referendum in January.
Zion church was established in 1990s in Kapaate, Bor, Mackuach district.
In ‘ghost marriages’ a woman is obliged to marry the unmarried next of kin if her husband dies. with Biblical teachings.
The defectors claim that the promises made by Akurdit Ngong in his campaign have not been realised.
Among the members of the new Lutheran are Rev. William Ayor Wel, Rev. Jacob Ayuen Diing, Rev. David Chol Aguto, Paul Angang Manasseh Mac and Deniel Ayuen Manyok.
In an interview with Sudan Tribune, Bishop Akurdit said he has no gripes with the new church.
Akurdit was lastly elected the Bishop of Bor Dioceses in May 14, 2011.
(ST)
Waucity
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
John Actually, you have to understand that bible did not teach anything..Women used to be pass on to the next of kin when their husbands dies..why you are now lying.. please teach yourself to write some accuracy, I am from Bor I remember when church came and what cultures we had before that.
Riak
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
Nothing is new. All deserves to be free. And with the birth of new nation, they are absolutely right to do what they like. That’s all about freedom of worship! Otherwise, may God bless the newly installed bishop Akur Ngongdit.
Dhalaluaak
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
No one can re write and change the message of God according his interest.The bible stated clearly that if a brother dies,his brother take over or if there is no brother then the near by relative will take care and bring forth the offspring of the deceased relative.There is no argue on this topic since it’s not in regard to politic but i can see some people into it that some people want politicized this.beware,it’s too dangerous than politics you have been dancing on.
Riak
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
Dhalaluaak,
I think we shouldn’t underestimate the pair extensive knowledge and expriences in Bible & traditions. But, there is a clear need for all of us not to overcooks the issue.Since we are not well informs about it authenticity.Therefore, Let’s waits and see how it will unfold.
Jeti
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
Let there be many dominions in the South. ECS and Catholic should not be the only churches in the country. We also want Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Orthodox, Presbyteria churches and many more. ECS lacks developmental ideas. Those who just defected and formed Lutheran church. Thanks you. In Jonglei, there already Anglican church, Catholic, SDA, Presbyteria, Pentecostal and now Lutheran church. That’s good development!
Mou
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
In December 2003, E.C.S broke into two separate denominations of which the second broke away denomination was called Reformed Episcopal Church of the Sudan (RECS) and was led by Rt. Rev. Gabriel Roric Jur the former Bishop of Rumbek. and on 13th April 2004, R.E.C.S faced another terrible break up to which Anglican Church of Sudan (ACS) was formed, by Rt. Rev. John Machar Thon of Duk Diocese, Rt. Rev. Abraham Mayom Athian of Rumbek Diocese, Rt. Rev. Wilson Garang Chan of Aweil Diocese, Rev. Yout Chol of Ayod Diocese and Rt.Rev. Philip Angony Chol.
While Rt. Rev. Peter Bol Arok took a separate root to secured his position as Bishop of Twice Diocese of Anglican Church of Kenya, with appoinment in Sudan. After few Months, Rt. Abraham Mayom Athian met challenges in climbing to lead the faction when their faction was already entrusted under care of Rt. Rev. John Machar Thon. Mayom decided to form his Anglican Church of Sudan in Rumbek and named himself Archbishop of Sudan, a bloodless coup to call it so)( the position he used to consecrated at least 14 Bishops in Rumbek alone. From then the E.C.S in Bor has been facing bitterness of schism.
I am indeed very sorry to learn that E.C.S has been broken into more other pieces. And shocked to learn that my closest friends like Rev. William Ayor Wel, Rev. Paul Anyang Mannasseh and Rev. Daniel Ayuen Manyok have joined forces and moved to Luthren Church, the most newest denomination in its kind.
Stephen M. Mou
Madut Tong
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
I am really worry about the situation of the church in southern Sudan. the ECS alone has split several times in pretext of reformation which I think the defectors don’t understand. You cannot defect to reform because you will still defect, defect and defect in the whole life. One of the principles that the Bible teach us is humility, submission and commitment. humility is a very strong value that God want his followers to adopt (Philipians 2:5-11). This defection from the church resemble that of George Athor Deng and David Yau Yau who lost the election, so they took arms against the GoSS. can such a church have a say on them as rebels? I don’t think so, because the church is not giving good example for others to follow. In election either in the church or in the State their is always a looser and a winner otherwise there should be no election at all. Why split after loosing election? this is the evidence of ill motives. Everyone has to know that church work is God’s whether you are there for him or not he will find faithful people to do it. God bless new bishop and his churches all over Bor area.
Mou
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
I share the same thoughts with you buddy, God, bless Jonglei. It is a high time Jonglei need peace than ever but choas that replace peace are so disturbing. I bet God should take control of Jonglei and get peace to them by whichever means He can achieve it do avoid innocent sufferings.
Stephen M. Mou
Bol Pur
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
Dear Christians and all members of ECS. I am deeply chock of what is happening in the ECS generally. And especially the defection of my former principal and all those friends of mind, it is really very bad. I know Rev. Nathaniel Bol Nyok very well and I was his supporter when he was contesting for diocesan bishop seat, but if he lost to Rt.Rev. Ruben Akurdit Ngong, than Bol as educated person can still serve church in other positions until his time come.
I know how those who have defected feel, but I disagree with defecting to make changes. Many successful changes are changes people do within. If ECS administration has become bad than there is a need to change within. That’s why many people are dying today in South Sudan in the name of change. There is nothing bad of having new denomination in the area but should not be in the name of lossing election like that of Athor.
I am appealing to them as my personal friends, my colleagues to reverse their decision and come back to ECS and we will listen to their grievances. I know as mentioned by Rev. Stephen M. Mou that diocese Bor has been experiencing difficulties and defection since installation of Twic East diocese seat. I don’t want people to defect before seeing Akurdit work, please wait first and see how he will manage the diocese affairs. Some of the Bibical concerns that you raised can be look at in Theological perfective and Anglican canonical law.
Finally, if you defect as strong leader leaving administration to weak administraor, you have given chance to wrong doing because people will start blaming you and the one you have left will feel mighty. let us learn how to patiently change things within not outside. I know many elections that has been done in ECS since 2004 to date and they are being contested. Let us together find ways of solving this problems and not defecting. ECS leadership have to establish dialogue modality to solve election grievances so that the church is united.
Chilim
Mou
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
Dear Chilim-dit,
This issue of rebellion in the Church is the creation of both, top leadership that arranges elections and contestant themeselves but to curb such situation in favour of our nexr generation is to amend canon laws and constitution of E.C.S province to allow inclusion of relevant articles that suite free and fair election in the church.
Rev. Nathaniel Bol Nyok is a long time serving priest in E.C.S but that is not the guarantee to secure him a seat, he must have been so influential to convince mass or expect the loss as you correctly stated knowing that defection creates favourable environment to worsening situation even within innocent believers who should be at peace in their sport fields and places of gathering. I am convinced that those areas of socialization are also affected by rebellion.
Should the church really be a place for war and rebellions? Isn’t against Biblical laws? Let’s all Christians hear from Provincial Chancellor first before hitting blames to wrong directions.
If top leadership was involved in election rigging in case the election was rigged, then all should point fingers at causatives and if it was free and fair elections, we better point fingers at Nathaniel Bol Nyok, William Ayor Wel, Daniel Ayuen Manyok and David Chol Aguto for taking Anglican laws into their own hands.
Stephen M. Mou
Deng MANYOK Awuol
Jonglei: newly elected bishop of Bor inauguration faces opposition
Faith is not the human notion and dream that some people call. When they see that no improvement of life and good works follow-although they can hear and say much about faith-they fall into the error of saying, “Faith is not enough”; one must do work in order to be righteous and saved. I’m very surprised and upset by the hearing of opposition in the church again for second time. Do priests come into power with hidden agenda (desire for power) or just preach the Gospel? I might need help out there guys if anyone can answer me. To me and the likes of myself, I’m very sorry to be blasphemous but I would say it becomes a “no God Church” when it is being formed after losing elections. Absolutely a no God church; that is not how Martin Luther King our pursuit protested from the church of England where we came from. I wish if I had contested, I would rather advocate for changes rather than forming a faction. Now if they were to be armed (priests) won’t they had fought against the Church and the whole diocese? oooooooooh George Athor Deng is not far off from these renegades or should I call them enemies of faith; whatever name you may call them. We might be forced to ask rhetorical question as; what will they tell their followers whom they have led for decades about their defection? Fine, Lutheran Church should have been formed out of disillusionment. Lastly, we need not to blame John Actually because he is just a reporter and I don’t think if he reports his own views, he reported reasons why the Anti church faction broke a way from Diocese Bor, they are not his words-peace him off he is innocent.