Stanley Ntagali, the Archbishop of Church of Uganda, is today expected to take over the direct control of Soroti Diocese and appoint a caretaker, following the suspension of the elections for the replacement of the outgoing Bishop, Rt. Rev. George Erwau.
Bishop Erwau who is expected to handover office this morning following his retirement after serving Soroti Diocese for nine years failed to hand in names of his possible replacement on time for election.
The Bishop held a farewell party Church Uganda Teso Dioceses Planning and Development Office-CoU-TEDDO last evening. Due to failure by Erwau to forward names of nominees to replace him on time, as suggested by the appointment committee of the Diocese, the House of Bishops suspended the polls during its recent retreat in Lweza.
The suggested names were of Rev Robert Olupot, the Soroti Diocesan Secretary and Rev Canon John Robert Angiro. "The House of Bishops suspended the election upon realizing that the names for the nominees had not been handed to the Archbishop" Bishop Edison Iregei, the Dean of the Province of Bishops said last month. He dismissed claims that the polls were deferred following petitions by some priests interested in the same seat.
Now, in the absence of a new Bishop, the provincial council of church of Uganda mandates the Archbishop, Stanley Ntagali to take over the diocese and with consultations, appoint a caretaker until a new Bishop is elected. Preparations are in high gear in Soroti to receive Archbishop, Stanley Ntagali.
He will conduct a service at St. Peter's Cathedral at around 10:00am where he is also expected to receive the most treasured Biblical shepherd's rod from the outgoing Bishop.
