Episcopal Press and News

Wani Enthroned Archbishop of Church in Uganda

Episcopal News Service. May 26, 1977 [77183]

Kampala, Uganda -- The Most Rev. Silvanus Wani has been enthroned as Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga Zaire succeeding the late Archbishop Janini Luwum.

He was elected during Lent and enthroned in ceremonies at the Cathedral here on May 15. Archbishop Luwum was killed in February while a prisoner of Uganda's President Idi Amin.

In a pastoral letter to all the bishops of the province, Archbishop Wani -- who is 61 -- said that he was surprised when the bishops chose "a fairly old man like me" to be archbishop (he has been a priest for 33 years), but added that he "had to accept the challenge as a call from God."

Noting that the Ugandan Church was celebrating its centenary, Archbishop Wani called it a "living tribute to the gallant missionaries who gave up their lives for Jesus' sake in order that we might receive the Good News of our Saviour Jesus Christ."

He said the Church had received assurances from the Government that June 30 would be declared a public holiday so that Ugandans could celebrate the anniversary.