THE Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM), Reverend George Takeli, will step down from the post, March this year.
This is because he has reached the compulsory retirement age of 60.
ACOM’s General Secretary Dr Abraham Hauriasi announced this, Friday.
“On 25th March 2019 Archbishop George Takeli will reach the compulsory retirement age of 60,” Hauriasi said.
“He will have served as Archbishop for nearly three years and leaves the Church in good heart,” he added.
Prior to his appointment Rev. Takeli served as Bishop of Temotu for six years and has been an ordained priest for 23years, following a career in the Solomon Islands marine division.
According to a statement ACOM issued yesterday, Archbishop Takeli’s term of office has seen a number of changes and initiatives.
“Shortly after his installation he oversaw the first Bishops’ training in the Diocese of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, highlighting the very close working relationship with the dioceses in that part ofthe province,” the statement said.
“He also forged close relationships with important mission partners including the Melanesian Mission Trust Board and the Church in New Zealand, Melanesian Mission UK, and other key partners both locally, regionally and internationally,” the statement added.
In November 2017 he presided over the 14th General Synod in Port Vila, Vanuatu,and encouraged open discussions on a number of important issues including changes to the ACOM Canons aimed at modernising the church in line with changing social conditions, the ordination of women and the establishment of a number of task forces.
In May 2018,at the St Barnabas Cathedral, he re-launched the decade of Evangelism and Renewal Programme, which will be implemented in all dioceses within ACOM from early 2019 and onwards.
Archbishop Takeli said:
“I have worked to implement the vision God placed in my heart for this Church to build ACOM and help the church grow and mature in all aspects of spiritual, socio political economic and cultural well – being.”
The process of selecting a new Archbishop will commence following Rev. Takeli’s retirement and will be take place in accordance with Church Law.
