BREAKING NEWS: Archbishop of Uganda Henry Orombi calls for successor; will step down later this year as leader of one of the largest provinces in the Anglican Communion

Archbishop Henry Orombi, a major leader in the Anglican Communion will step down later this year. He has called for the election of a successor.

From here:

Archbishop Henry Orombi

Archbishop Henry Orombi has called for the election of a successor as primate of the Church of the Province of Uganda.

In an address to a meeting of the Ugandan House of Bishops on 7 Jan 2012, Archbishop Orombi said he would step down by year’s end, just short of year before his mandatory retirement at age 65.

In a statement given to Anglican Ink by the Church of Uganda, Archbishop Orombi said he was taken an early retirement to allow him to focus on pastoral ministry. “I want to use my retirement to preach the Gospel single-heartedly. This has been my single passion and I want to fulfill the call while I can still do it."

Archbishop Orombi confirmed the announcement in Ntungamo on 8 January, during the consecration and enthronement of the new Bishop of South Ankole Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Nathan Ahimbisibwe.

Educated at Bishop Tucker Theological College, the predecessor of Uganda Christian University and St John's College, Nottingham, Archbishop Orombi was ordained in 1978 and served as a diocesan youth minister from 1979 to 1986. In 1987 he was appointed Archdeacon of Goli and in 1993 elected Bishop of Nebbi.

In 2003 he was elected to a ten year term as Archbishop and Primate of Uganda and translated to the Diocese of Kampala, and was installed in office on 25 Jan 2004. Under Ugandan canon law the primate serves for a ten year term of office, or until his 65th birthday.

As Primate, Archbishop Orombi oversaw the rapid expansion of dioceses and communicants in the Church of Uganda, the building of a new cathedral for Kampala, and a high profile role in the international councils of the Anglican Communion. The archbishop emerged as one of the principal leaders of the Global South group of primates and one of the founding primates of GAFCON movement.

The House of Bishops will elect a new archbishop at their June meeting, with a tentative consecration set for December 2012.

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