Indian Ocean prepares to elect new Primate

by Justus Waimiri

CAPA 040504-3 May 4, 2004

[CAPA - Indian Ocean] Following the retirement of Archbishop Remi Rebenirina of Indian Ocean in February, the Province is now preparing to elect a new Primate.

The election was to be held in April but has been put on hold because the Bishop of Seychelles will also be retiring early May.

The Church’s constitution says a Primatial election cannot be held if any See is vacant.

The constitution allows a Primate to serve for at most two consecutive five-year terms. Archbishop Rebenirina has served two terms. He will however remain Bishop of Antananarivo until he turns 70.

The Dean of the Province, the Rt Revd Jean Claude Andrianjafimanana, is currently serving as acting Primate and represented the Province during the recently concluded CAPA Primates meeting.

Archbishop Rebenirina will be remembered most for actively articulating issues affecting the Province of Indian Ocean, and putting it in the global Anglican Communion map.