Bold new start as Anglican Church Archbishop weds

Wabukala marries the Rev Rhoda Luvuno in St Peter’s Church in Nyali, Mombasa, during a private ceremony

It was a bold new start for Kenya’s top Anglican cleric when he exchanged wedding vows at a private ceremony at the Coast.

Two weeks ago, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala wedded the Rev Rhoda Luvuno in St Peter’s Church in Nyali, Mombasa, at a ceremony presided over by Mombasa Diocese Bishop Julius Kalu.

The Rev Luvuno previously worked in Nairobi. Her husband is a father of five adult children had been a widower since 2010.

While the remarriage of Archbishop is supported by some of the clergy and the flock, others are critical of the union.

Support prelate

Those who support the prelate argue that it was his right to have a wedding the way he did — privately.

Bishop Beneah Salala of the ACK diocese of Mumias said those raising issues should respect the top cleric’s private life.

Bishop Salala said Archbishop Wabukala had informed all the bishops of the church about the way he wanted to conduct his marriage without anything to hide.

“He informed us in writing about the way he wanted the entire exercise done, and we respect his decision because the issue is a private one,” he told the Nation when contacted to react on claims that the head of the ACK church skipped crucial stages in the marriage.

Bishop Salala said he would not divulge to the Press the written communication that went on between him and Archbishop Wabukala.

But the main bone of contention among the critics is the claim that the head of the church did not publicise the banns — the public declaration of an intended marriage, usually formally announced on three successive Sundays in the parish churches of those planning to wed.

A senior clergy in the Anglican Church who works closely with the prelate admitted that the banns were not published in the home churches of the bride and groom as was the requirement.

“The Anglican Church marriage rules are clear that the banns must be published three times so that anybody with an objection may come up during the said period,” said a senior clergy at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi.

Most of the staff at the church interviewed by the Nation were reluctant to comment, claiming that they could face disciplinary action for questioning the actions the top cleric.

Canon Rosemary Mbogo, the Provincial Secretary, who handles administrative matters for the Anglican Church in the country, said she did not wish to discuss the matter because it was a personal issue.

“I do not want to discuss a personal issue, but I believe everything was done according to all the legal requirements of the land.”

She, however, declined to comment on the fact that the banns were not announced as per the church’s requirement.

But a priest in Kisumu said the move by the archbishop had put them in a dilemma in as far as implementing the rules of the church regarding marriage were concerned.