Munyika new ELCIN Western Diocese bishop

REVEREND Veikko Munyika was elected the new bishop of the Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) during its 22nd Ordinary Synod, held at Ongwediva from 25 to 29 November 2013.

He beat two other aspirants to the position, Pastor Hosea Iyambo from Onangalo Congregation and Pastor Wilibald Shikesho from Elim Congregation during the synod held under the theme: ‘Dont be afraid or discouraged’.

Munyika, who has been the Director of the Mission Services at the ELCIN Headquarters at Oniipa in the Oshikoto Region for some years, replaces Bishop Josaphat Shanghala, who has retired.

In a press statement released after the synod, ELCIN presiding bishop Shekutamba VV Nambala said this was the eighth ELCIN synod held in a peaceful, stable and independent Namibia.

He also said a comprehensive report on church activities, since the last meeting in 2010, was presented during the synod, which also called for the election of a new bishop for the Western Diocese and Church Council members.

Bishop Nambala said the synod took note of the many challenges haunting the church and the nation at large, such as molestation of women and children, abuse of alcohol and drugs, teenage pregnancies, divorces, crimes, baby dumping, youth unemployment, climate change, and drought.

The bishop said the synod also acknowledged that lack of adequate funds was hindering the church from engaging in full operations. However, Bishop Nambala said a lot is being done through the income generating initiatives for self-reliance.

He further said the church had paid-off its debts to various organisations, and many congregations have reported being financially self-reliant. The shortage of human resources, the bishop pointed out, especially pastors, is another hindrance to the church’s effective outreach service.

According to Bishop Nambala, the newly-elected Church Council will be in office until the next ordinary synod scheduled for 2016. He further said numbers used to identify the order of synod meetings were also discussed.

The unity of the Lutheran Churches in Namibia was also discussed and it was reiterated that ELCIN is still prepared to join with other Lutherans on the basis of a unity agreement.

The synod was also attended by representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran in Finland (ELCF), the Finnish Evangelical Mission (FELM), the Evangelische Lutherische Kirche in Namibia (ELKIN-DELK), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Angola, Oshana Governor Klemens Kashuupulwa, Ongwediva Mayor Jason Asino and retired ELCIN bishops including Bishops Appolus Kaulinge, Kleopas Dumeni, and Johannes Sindano.