Rose Okeno (b. 1960s) is a Kenyan Anglican bishop who became the second female bishop in the history of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) on September 12, 2021.[1][2] She is the first full bishop in the Anglican Church of Kenya. Prior to her ordination, she served as acting bishop replacing Bishop Tim Wambunya after his resignation in September 2020. She was consecrated at Butere Girls High School, defying a movement to put a moratorium on women bishops. Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of Kenya presided over the ceremony. Bishop Okeno is the head of Butere Diocese, a largely rural area in Kenya of small-scale farmers and traders.[3] Okeno is the mother of four children and has served the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) for 20 years. Bishop Okeno is an advocate for women and girls and for the empowerment of marginalized peoples.[4]
Dispute
editThe Global Anglican Future Conference, known as GAFCON met in Jerusalem, Israel June 17–22, 2018. At this conference GAFCON called for a moratorium on the ordination of women, "until such a time when a consensus is reached".[2] A "conservative movement in the church," according to Religion News Service,[2] GAFCON was formed in 2008 in response to the acceptance of homosexual clergy and the consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson to the Diocese of New Hampshire by the Episcopal Church in North America in 2003. Robinson was an openly gay priest in the United States.[5][6]
- Bishop Ellinah Ntombi Wamukoya was ordained as bishop of Swaziland Diocese in southern Africa in 2012. She died of COVID-19 in January 2021.
- Bishop Margaret Vertue was elected bishop in October 2012 and consecrated in 2013 in the South African Diocese of False Bay.
- Bishop Elizabeth Awut Ngor was consecrated as an assistant bishop in the South Sudan Diocese of Rumbek in 2016.
- Bishop Emily Onyango was consecrated assistant bishop of Bondo in Kenya on January 20, 2021
- Bishop Rose Okeno was consecrated as a full bishop of Butere Diocese in Kenya on September 12, 2021
References
edit- ^ Martinez, A (September 27, 2021). "Rev. Rose Okeno's Historic Ordination Adds To Women's Progress In Kenya". Morning Edition. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Nzwili, Fredrick (September 15, 2021). "Kenyan Anglican province defies moratorium to ordain woman bishop". Religion New Service. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ Nzwiki, Fredrick (August 5, 2021). "Amid hesitation in African Anglican provinces, Kenya appoints first two women bishops". Religion News Service. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ "Rose Okeno Ordained as First Female Bishop in the History of the ACK Church". Mwakilishi.com. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
- ^ "Jensen blames 'homosexual crisis' for Anglican rift". ABC News. 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
- ^ "Jerusalem conference may widen Anglican rift". Christian Science Monitor. 2008-06-21. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2022-03-18.