The Anglican Communion Network welcomed news today that the Anglican Province of Kenya has elected the Rev. William Murdoch suffragan bishop of All Saints Cathedral Diocese in Nairobi. Bishop-elect Murdoch will join Bishop-elect Bill Atwood in supporting Kenyan clergy and congregations in the United States. As he takes on this new responsibility, Murdoch will continue to serve the Network as dean of the New England Convocation.
How many parishes does ACK have?
My gues is, not as many as it will have.
Jeff, very good. 🙂
It appears the Global South means business, does it not?
About 20.
Thx robroy
It’s odd to have a suffragan with under 35 parishes. But I suppose that #2 & #3 have a point on expected growth
I have seen 26 in print. I believe geography is also a factor – Boston is a long way (in distance and in school of thought) from Big D.
Someone might want to research how many churches are associated with Kenya in the US. There is at least one church that I know of that is still in pecusa in the northeast and this episcopate would surely make out of pecusa a bit easier in terms of oversight.
Let’s remember that Bill Murdoch and John Guernsey will still be the active Rector of their church. And, I think the AMiA Bishops, except for Rodgers, are also Rectors of churches. One can’t possibly have oversight of as many parishes if you are also the active Rector of a parish. Maybe this is part of the new paradigm.
Kenya is puzzling. Are some of their bishops in full communion with TEC and others not? Bishop Shaw of MA visited Kenya last year and he and other SSJE brothers have been well-received there for ministries in seminaries. cf http://www.ssje.org/missions_to_africa.html
[blockqote] Bishop-elect William Leo Murdoch (Bill) has served as rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in West Newbury, MA for 14 years. [/blockquote]
I’ll be interested to see what Shaw does since Murdoch+ is still in an ECUSA parish. Has anybody heard if his parish is about to “jump ship”?
“Lord Chancellors were cheap as sprats,
And Bishops in their shovel hats
Were plentiful as tabby cats–
In point of fact, too many.”
– Don Alhambra, The Gondoliers
But some bishops do believe!
Others exist to deceive!
And never the twain shall meet
On heaven’s golden street.
All Saints West Newbury has one foot out the door. They are looking for a new facility, having outgrown their present location. They also aquired a large sum of cash from the sale of a painting found in the church attic. Case law in Massachusetts does not favor them for leaving with any property.
One new announcement a week, it seems. This is not coordinated?
#13. They also aquired a large sum of cash from the sale of a painting found in the church attic.
Oh that’s too funny! Sounds like a plotline from one of Jan Karon’s Mitford novels! I love it!!! 😉
The ACK in the US is not as well-organized as CANA or even Kenya. The last official count was 26 but I know of one more parish (in New England) which has joined since then, and there may be others.
Speaking of New England, there are two separate Kenyan parishes on Cape Cod. Just a little fun fact there.
As I understand it, the Kenyan American Church has priests who are native to Kenya (as I imagine Uganda and CANA do as well). How do they feel having an American placed as Bishop over them?
Brian,
Although I cannot speak for the Kenyan priests – typically when one is on outpost duty and is reinforced – their is a sense of relief and support. Because they are in the US I would not think they are biased against Americans – well – at least not against orthodox ones. 🙂
I praise God for this. Bill Murdoch is a godly, faithful witness to the good news of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Global South for standing with those Anglicans who are remaining faithful to the Scriptures and the faith once delivered. Another great appointment for Orthodox Anglicanism in the United States.