Rose Okeno

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Rose Okeno, age 54, 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]

Contents

Dispute

The 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]

Female Anglican Bishops in Africa [2]

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References

  1. Martinez, A (September 27, 2021). "Rev. Rose Okeno's Historic Ordination Adds To Women's Progress In Kenya". Morning Edition. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Nzwili, Fredrick (September 15, 2021). "Kenyan Anglican province defies moratorium to ordain woman bishop". Religion New Service. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  3. Nzwiki, Fredrick (August 5, 2021). "Amid hesitation in African Anglican provinces, Kenya appoints first two women bishops". Religion News Service. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  4. "Rose Okeno Ordained as First Female Bishop in the History of the ACK Church". Mwakilishi.com. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  5. "Jensen blames 'homosexual crisis' for Anglican rift". ABC News. 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  6. "Jerusalem conference may widen Anglican rift". Christian Science Monitor. 2008-06-21. ISSN   0882-7729 . Retrieved 2022-03-18.