The former Provincial Executive Officer of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa has been consecrated the Bishop of Namibia. On 7 May 2016 the Rt. Rev. Luke Lungile Pato was consecrated 11th bishop of the diocese at a ceremony led by the Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba at Holy Redeemer Church in Walvis Bay. A special meeting of synod of the Diocese of Namibia held on 29-30 July 2015 at the Hodygos Conference Center in Okahandja failed to elect a new bishop to succeed the Rt. Rev. Nathanael Nakwatumbah with none of the three candidates receiving the necessary two thirds majority from the lay and clergy delegates. The decision passed to the House of Bishops which appointed Canon Pato bishop at their February 2016 meeting. A South African, Bishop Pato has served as Principal of the College of the Transfiguration, the South African church’s theological seminary, Provincial Executive Officer as well as Rector of several Parishes in South Africa and England.
