New Archbishop for Province of Indian Ocean

Bishop Ian Ernest (3rd from left)

Bishop Ian Ernest of Mauritius has been elected as the new Archbishop of the Province of the Indian Ocean. He will be consecrated on 19th February in Mauritius. He succeeds to Bishop Remi Rabenirina of Antananarivo Diocese. The Diocese of Toamasina is important in a special way as the Anglican Martyr Abel was stoned to death in Mahanoro village in 1896. This year we shall be celebrating the 110 th anniversary of that event with a National Malagasy clergy meeting in Toamasina Diocese at the end of May.

After the Provincial meeting, the Malagasy Bishops paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Malagasy Republic, His Excellency Mr Marc Ravalomanana and his wife, at his private residence in Antananarivo. The College of Bishops presented the President with a picture of Canterbury Cathedral and also that of the Anglican Cathedral of ST Laurent in Antananarivo.Bishop Remi Rabenirina is also the Chairman of the FFKM ,the Christian Council of Madagascar and this Council plays an important part in the political arena for justice sake.

Bishop Roger Chung was given a new 3 year term as the Chairman of the Board of St Paul’s Theological College in Ambatoharanana on 28th Jan 2006. The Rector Canon JP Jaomandiny has been having a difficult task of reorganising the College and trying to set up relevant programs for her. However we still badly lack tutors for a more balanced curriculum. We are looking for visiting tutors who will be willing to spend time on this Theological Mission field.

@He hath made everything beautiful in its time@

The Rt Rev Roger Chung Po Chuen
Bishop of Antsiranana Diocese
4 rue Grandidier
BP 278
Antsiranana
Madagascar 201.
Tel 261 20 8222650
mgrchungpo@blueline.mg