Anglican Communion News Service

The Archbishop of Melanesia, the Most Reverend Sir Ellison Pogo, has today announced the name of the person who will become the third Bishop of Temotu. Following a meeting of the Diocesan Electoral Board and confirmation by the Council of Bishops of the name put forward, the new Bishop will be the Reverend Canon David Vunagi, who is presently the Church's Mission Secretary.

The Bishop-elect is 49 years old and comes from Isabel Island. He is married to Mary, from Kia Village, Isabel. They have three children.

Fr. David received his primary education in Isabel and later in Maravovo, West Guadalcanal. His secondary education was at King George VI High School, Honiara. He holds a Diploma of Education (University of the South Pacific), Bachelor of Education (University of Papua New Guinea), Bachelor of Theology (Melbourne College of Divinity through St. John's College, Auckland), Master of Theology (Vancouver School of Theology).

As a teacher prior to ordination Fr. David taught at King George VI School and Selwyn College. He was Headmaster of the latter from 1985-6 ending his term in the year the school was destroyed by a cyclone. It was at that stage he went to Auckland to train for the ordained ministry. But he was later to become Headmaster of the new Selwyn College (1993-6) and again in 1999. In 1992 he was teaching biblical studies at Bishop Patteson Theological College, Kohimarama, and in 1998, for a short time, he was Senior Priest (Archdeacon) of the Lawe Region of Ysabel Diocese and Parish Priest of Yandina, Russell Islands. Since early this year he has been the Mission Secretary of the Church.

The Archbishop has called upon all members of the Church of Melanesia to pray for the Bishop-elect as he prepares for his consecration as a Bishop, and his installation as Bishop of Temotu, on Sunday, 6 May, at Lata, Santa Cruz.