North Kigezi Diocese held the 20th Synod (Special Sitting) on 21st Oct 2022 at Emmanuel Cathedral, Kinyasano. This emergency sitting was purposely called to apply and approve the Constitutional amendments that were recommended by the recently concluded Church of Uganda Provincial Assembly meeting.
The 20th Synod sitting commenced with a Holy Communion service officiated by The Very Rev. Can. Eric Baingana Mugyenzi; the Dean of the Emmanuel Cathedral, Kinaysano, and the preacher of the day was Bishop Patrick Tugume Tusingwire; the Diocesan Care taker Bishop, who also chaired the meeting. In his sermon, Bishop Patrick anchored his message on Matthew 9:25; the Diocesan theme 2022 and reminded the congregation about God’s daily call to serve, for the “harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”
In his address to the Synod, Bishop Patrick congratulated the Synod members upon being trusted and delegated to the meeting which is a big responsibility, and therefore encouraged them to be good delegates and always report back to those that send them.
He implored them to be good representatives, proudly defend their Diocese, and be the light in the dark.
He applauded the construction projects going on across the Diocese for Church buildings, commercial buildings, and especially the very nice and good standard residences(houses) for the priests.
The caretaker Bishop raised awareness about the Ebola epidemic and COVID-19 and encouraged the delegates to take care and adhere to the SOPs.
Canon Ndimbirwe Bible College (CNBC)
The Bishop commended the work of the partners and missionaries from the Anglican Diocese of Armidale, Australia who have supported the North Kigezi Diocese in many ways including CNBC.
He informed the 20th Synod about the ongoing process of registering CNBC with the National Council for Higher Education whereby it will soon become a Certified Institution offering authenticated and nationally approved Certificate Courses.
University Project
Bishop Patrick informed the Synod about the exciting partnership between North Kigezi Diocese and Kabale University, through which Kable University will take over the phased-out Rukungiri Primary Teachers’ College and the former Bishop Stuart Rukungiri Campus.
St. Luke’s Kahoko-Mitooma CoU and Yakobo Orikwera Buhandagazi CoU
The Bishop also informed the members of the 20th Synod that St. Luke’s Kahoko-Mitooma CoU and Yakobo Orikwera Buhandagazi CoU had been given the status of a parish after going through a successful verification process.
Roadmap for the nomination and consecration of the 6th Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese
Bishop Patrick unveiled the road map for the nomination and consecration of the 6th Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese as received from the Provincial Office and it was as follows;
- By 31st October 2022, the Diocese to have approved the Diocesan Constitution and sent to the Province for approval.
- By 10th October 2022, the Provincial Assembly Standing Committee to have approved the Diocesan Constitution.
- By 23rd Nov 2022, the Diocesan Nomination Committee to have sent the names of the nominated candidates to the Province for the House of Bishops.
- By 1st Dec 2022, the House of Bishops to verify and nominate the incoming Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese
- By 28th Feb 2023, the 6th Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese is to be installed and consecrated.
The Diocesan Governance Manual
In addition to amending and approving the draft Diocesan Constitution, the 20th Synod meeting also reviewed the Diocesan Governance manual, which was later approved and confirmed by the same meeting as a Diocesan policy document that will work hand in hand with the new Constitution.
Finally, the 20th Synod meeting received the Diocesan financial report for the year 2022 and approved the 2023 Budget as a working document for the fiscal year 2023.
To God be the Glory.
From North Kigezi Diocese Communications Desk
