Okoth to Succeed as Ugandan Archbishop
Episcopal News Service. November 10, 1983 [83207]
NEW YORK (DPS, Nov. 10) -- Archbishop-elect of the Anglican Church of Uganda, the Rt. Rev. Yona Okoth, has described his new task as "difficult". But he added in an interview in the African Christian: I believe God has called me to this task and will strengthen and guide me."
The 56-year-old Archbishop-elect was born on April 15, 1927, in Mando Village, Eastern Uganda.He attended Bulawasi Theological College from 1952 to 1954 before being ordained a deacon. He was ordained a priest in 1955 and worked at St. Peter's Church, Nagongera, in Eastern Uganda.
In 1960, he worked at diocesan treasurer of Mbale Diocese, and from 1963-64 he attended St. Augustine College, Canterbury, England, where he graduated with a diploma in theology.
He returned to his post in Mbale diocese and was appointed Provincial Secretary of the then Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire in 1965.
In 1966, he went to study at Wycliffe College at Toronto University, Canada, where he received a Licentiate in Theology. On his return to Uganda, he resumed his post of Provincial Secretary until 1972, when he was consecrated Bishop of Bukedi Diocese in Eastern Uganda.
In 1977, he left Uganda and went into self-exile to the United States out of frustration during the rule of dictator Idi Amin. During his exile in the United States, he read for a Doctor of Divinity degree at Wycliffe College.
He is married with nine children and will be enthroned on Jan. 19 next year. Following the announcement of the appointment, Vice-President Paulo Muwanga sent a message of congratulations to Bishop Okoth.
Okoth succeeds Archbishop Silvanus Wani, who is retiring at the end of the year after serving for only six years because of ill-health.
Wani, 65, was elected in March 1977 following the murder of Archbishop Janani Luwum.