Poggo welcomes new South-East Asian Primate

THE Bishop of Singapore, the Rt Revd Titus Chung Khiam Boon, has been elected as the new Archbishop of South-East Asia. He succeeds the Bishop of Sabah, Archbishop Melter Tais. His term of office as Primate will run from February 2024 to February 2028. The secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Anthony Poggo, was in Singapore last week for the Extraordinary Provincial Synod at which Bishop Khiam Boon was elected, and led the pre-election retreat, speaking on lessons about leadership from Nehemiah. He said: “I warmly welcome the election of Bishop Titus as the seventh Archbishop of the Church of the Province of South East Asia. His passion for the gospel and heart for evangelism will hold him in good stead as he follows his new calling.”

Cyprus & the Gulf fails to elect next Bishop

THE Cyprus & the Gulf diocesan synod has been unable to agree on its next diocesan Bishop. The see has been vacant since the Rt Revd Michael Lewis retired in June. A letter from the Archbishop in Jerusalem, Dr Hosam Naoum, who is the Acting Bishop, to the people and clergy of the diocese last month explains that the nominee was greeted at the synod and gave a presentation on his background and vision before being asked questions. After the candidate had left, however, the required two-thirds consenting vote in both the Houses of Clergy and Laity to confirm the nomination was not met — falling short “by a narrow margin” in the House of Clergy. Under procedures of the constitution, Dr Naoum is required to submit the name of a new nominee at the next meeting. No further update has been given since the letter on 14 September.