Via email–KSH.
The Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali was enthroned as the 8th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda on Sunday, 16th December, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe.
More than 3,000 people attended the colourful ceremony, including His Excellency the President, political leaders, business leaders, and all the Bishops of the Church of Uganda.
Ten Archbishops (Primates) from other Provinces in the Anglican Communion were also present ”“ Burundi, Rwanda, Sudan, Kenya, Indian Ocean, Nigeria, Jerusalem and the Middle East, England, Scotland, and North America ”“ along with other Bishops from Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Australia, United States of America, and England.
The President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, attended the function and addressed the gathering, urging the Church to increase their ministry to young people and to guide the youth in moral, upright, and productive living.
The Most Rev. John Sentamu, Archbishop of York and a Ugandan by birth, represented the Archbishop of Canterbury and read a letter of greeting and congratulations from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The preacher for the service was the Most Rev. Robert Duncan, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America. Preaching from Philippians 2:5-8 and John 21:18, Archbishop Duncan addressed two vocations for the Church of Uganda and the new Archbishop.
Archbishop Duncan cited Paul’s invitation to “have the mind of Christ,” and noted “God has especially called you [Church of Uganda] to the humility ”“ the servanthood ”“ of the East African Revival. You know, better than most Christians that you are sinners saved by grace.”
Referencing John 21:18, Archbishop Duncan spoke directly to the new Primate and his wife about their calling in this new stage of ministry. “Becoming Archbishop means going where you do not plan to go. You are to have the mind of Christ in a very new way. The Lord Jesus is speaking to you as He spoke to Peter. You Stanley, and Mama, are to die and to live. Many days you will be carried where you do not want to go. You will be Christ’s servant more than ever now, as you seek to serve Him by being the servant of the servants of God.”
The enthronement service combined the singing of traditional Anglican hymns with spontaneous outbreaks of Tukutendereza, the traditional hymn of the East African Revival.
The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, retiring Archbishop, handed over the Provincial Staff to Archbishop Ntagali, thus symbolizing the transfer of spiritual authority from one Archbishop to another. The congregation broke out into spontaneous and extended applause, showing their love and affection for both Archbishops.
Archbishop Ntagali was then seated in the Primatial Chair at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, and greeted by every Bishop of the Church of Uganda and all visiting Archbishops and Bishops.
In his Charge, the new Archbishop pledged to finish the construction of Church House and ensure that it generates income for the Church’s wider ministry. He identified support for Uganda Christian University, Theological Education, youth and children’s ministry, GAFCON, and HIV/AIDS ministry as priorities.
The Rt. Rev. Stanley Ntagali was elected the 8th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda during a meeting of the House of Bishops on 22nd June. Bishop Ntagali was consecrated in December 2004 as the first Bishop of Masindi-Kitara Diocese.
The retiring Archbishop, the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, announced his early retirement in January 2012. Enthroned as Archbishop in January 2004, he served nine out of a possible ten years.
Archbishop Orombi’s tenure as Archbishop was marked by extensive travels and preaching around the country, a commitment to youth ministry, and the construction of Church House, a commercial building on Kampala Road.
Dave Wilson has a nice personal account [url=http://anglicanyinzer.blogspot.com/2012/12/uganda.html]HERE[/url]
Bruce Robison
BMR+ – thanks for the link to Wilson’s+ post. Simply reading it imparts some bit of the excitement and joy.
Thanks for the link, BMR+. This was especially encouraging to read:
[blockquote] “Monday we drove out to Mukono to see Uganda Christian University and after a very well done presentation by the Vice Chancellor the Rev John Senyoni, toured the campus — especially impressive was the new library and new science building. When Trinity professor Stephen Noll assumed the role of Vice Chancellor in 2001 there were about 250 students — today there are over 12,000.” [/blockquote]
Training, particularly for the clergy, is the backbone of orthodox Anglicanism. May the Lord greatly bless the work of Uganda Christian University.
[blockquote] “Ten Archbishops (Primates) from other Provinces in the Anglican Communion were also present – Burundi, Rwanda, Sudan, Kenya, Indian Ocean, Nigeria, Jerusalem and the Middle East, England, Scotland, and North America – along with other Bishops from Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Australia, United States of America, and England.” [/blockquote]
I think more and more often we are going to see this in the coming years, that the Archbishop of ACNA is spoken of as Primate of a Province in the Anglican Communion, without a second thought.
It is understandable (and yet gratifying) that one of the two Provincial Primates of the Church of England (++Sentamu) was present. But very interesting that the Primus of the Church of Scotland also chose to attend.
Good eye there, Michael. Some of us have become accustomed to just scanning the lists.