Canon Jacob Erasto Chimeledya Chosen as Co-Adjutor Bishop Elect, Diocese of Mpwapwa

CAPA 050909-2 September 9, 2005

Statement by the Rev Canon Dr R Mwita Akiri, Provincial Secretary, Anglican Church of Tanzania

[CAPA - Tanzania] The Revd Canon Jacob Erasto Chimeledya (48) has been chosen to be the Co-Adjutor Bishop Elect of the Diocese of Mpwapwa within the Anglican Church of Tanzania.

The election took place on Tuesday, 12th July 2005 in the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Mpwapwa under the supervision of the Rt Revd Dudley Mageni, Bishop of the Diocese of Morogoro. The election was also witnessed by the General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, the Revd Canon Dr Mwita Akiri.

The election was carried out by a special Electoral Synod which consisted of pastors and lay people numbering 230 in total. This election took place in order to select a Co-Adjutor Bishop who will take the place of the Rt Revd Dr Simon Chiwanga, the present Bishop of Mpwapwa, in 2007.

Canon Chimeledya was born on 28th August, 1957 in Zoisa, Kongwa. He was educated at Bihawana Secondary school from 1977 until 1980 and at Mzumbe Secondary School from 1981 until 1983. He studied Health Administration at Mzumbe Institute of Development Management, now Mzumbe University, in 1992. He was made Deacon in 1996, and was ordained Priest in 1997. Canon Chimeledya received his theological education at St Paul’s Theological College Limuru, Kenya between 1993 and 1996 and was awarded a degree in Theology. From 2001 to 2003 he went to the Virginia Theological Seminary in the USA where he was awarded a Master’s Degree in Theology.

Canon Chimeledya has worked as a Priest in various areas of the Diocese of Mpwapwa. His is presently Principal of St Philip’s Theological College, Kongwa. He is married with four children.

Following his election Canon Chimeledya will be consecrated as Bishop and made Co-Adjutor Bishop of Mpwapwa in a service to be led by the Most Reverend Donald Mtetemela, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, on Sunday, 9th October, 2005 in the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Mpwapwa.