I was hoping for Samson Mwaluda to be elected.  Samson was a Stanway Fellow at TSM during a few of the many years I was a student there.  I remember driving Samson to a rural parish about two hours from Trinity one Sunday morning so that he could preach and he preached a marvelous evangelistic sermon.  He is truly a gifted evangelist.

David+ (#1),

I can sympathize.  I was hoping for the Bishop of Thika, +Gideon Githiga, to be chosen.  I wonder whom +Bill Atwood favored.  Oh well, God knows best. 

The fact is, with about 30 dioceses, the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) is blessed to have many fine bishops who would probably do a great job as Archbishop of Nairobi and Primate.

Here’s another way of putting it.  The ACK is more twice the size of TEC with 5-6 million active members.  It’s ASA is easily at least three times the size of TEC.  Yet it has far fewer bishops.  IIRC, Kenya has 34 (very large) dioceses, whereas TEC has about 100 (often small) domestic dioceses (96, if you exclude the four new rump dioceses).

But despite having far fewer bishops to choose from, the ACK has far more bishops who are fit for the position of archbishop and worthy of acting as the primate.  Kenya had the good fortune to be able to choose the best among a field of worthy candidates.  But in 2006 when TEC elected the current PB as primate, we were faced with the unpleasant task of choosing the least worst among various lousy candidates.

David Handy+

Davids (both of you),

Should readers assume from the above simply that you both know one of the candidates personally and think him a good choice, not that you have reservations about the successful candidate (#2 implies this, but I just wanted to be sure).

Jeremy+,

I can’t speak for the other David, but yes, you’re correct in your interpretation of my comment.  Actually, I can’t even claim to know Bishop Githiga personally in the sense that we’ve never met.  But I’ve certainly heard a lot of great things about him from clergy friends of mine who left TEC and affiliated with the ACK and were under his care and oversight in the Diocese of Thika.  Bishop Githiga, who is well educated, also plays a leading role in overseeing the premier seminary (academically) in Kenya, St. Paul’s, Limuru.

But certainly I didn’t mean to cast any aspersions whatsoever at +Eliud Wabukala.  He has big shoes to fill as the successor of the much admired ++Benjamin Nzimbi, but I trust he’s up for the challenge.  I’m glad you gave me the chance to clarify what I meant, Jeremy.  You probably weren’t the only reader wondering about that.

David Handy+

Thanks David Handy (and no “+” for me please - humble layman only).

You’re welcome, Jeremy.  I’m sorry that I forgot that you’re “only” a layman.  But then again, that’s a high calling too.

David Handy+

Jeremy, the only candidate I knew was Samson Mwaluda and I was in no way casting doubt on the man elected or any of the others.  BTW, Last week l read your your history of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, “Out of the Darkness into the Marvelous Light”.  It was so well put together and readable that I finished it two days! 

Readers of StandFirm, order Jeremy’s book through Amazon or the TSM bookstore.  It will shed great light on why Pittsburgh has realigned and why it became the leading evangelical voice in TEC for 40 years and now one of the leading evangelical voices in the now-forming ACNA   - with a catholic bishop as well!

Dear David,

If the audience is satisfied, then so am I. I understand from the Bishop of Pittsburgh that a copy was recently presented to the Primate of Nigeria. One small correction, DON’T buy from Amazon but directly from Wipf and Stock. The publisher has the curious habit of stating a recommended retail price $41 (which is what Amazon uses), but then including an automatic discount. If you buy 1-4 copies it’s around $33 a copy and if you buy 5 or more it’s around $25 a copy. I see no virtue in paying more than one need.

Catholic and Reformed

I received the following note from Bp. Bill Atwood: “Election in Kenya was a stunning success. Wabukala is great!” I also have met Bp. Wabukala. He seems a very thoughtful and faithful man.

Dear Folks,
I have had the priviledge of teaching three of the four candidates in the Kenya AB election. Stephen Kewasis and Eliud Wabukala were in my systematic theology and new testament classes in Kenya (at St Paul’s Limuru). I also directed Eliud’s B.D. thesis. When Eliud studied in Toronto (at Wycliffe) I was the second reader of his Masters thesis. I directed Samson Mwaluda’s D.Min. thesis at Trinity School for Ministry. Joseph Wasonga I have met, but I know him the least. There were no bad choices in this election - all are godly men, solid theologically and all are experienced bishops whose dioceses have grown in numbers and depth. Eliud is perceived as a pastor who is calm, thoughtful and prayerful. He has experience as a theological teacher (he taught Old Testament at St Paul’s Limuru, where he was also the chaplain and the Academic Dean). He has been involved with the governement’s anti-corruption campaign in Kenya and the chairman of the National Council of Churches of Kenya. When he first became a bishop I was worried because I thought he might be too nice to be a bishop (!), but he has exhibited great wisdom and steadiness. He will be a fine Archbishop.
Grant LeMarquand

Thanks for the helpful information, Dr. LeMarquand.  Such ringing endorsements from people like you and Bishop Bill Atwood who know him well are very encouraging.

David Handy+