The Rt. Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon has been appointed Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council.
The Rt. Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon has been appointed Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council. On 2 April 2015 ACC chairman the Rt. Rev. James Tengatenga announced Dr. Idowu-Fearon, Bishop of Kaduna in Northwestern Nigeria, had been appointed to the London-based post in succession to the Rt. Rev. Kenneth Kearon, who had been elected Bishop of Limerick.
Dr Idowu-Fearon (65) was named Bishop of Kaduna in 1998 previously having been appointed Bishop of Sokoto in 1990. Ordained in 1971 he served as Warden at St Francis of Assisi Theological College in Wusasa and Provost of St. Michael’s Cathedral in Kaduna. He received a doctorate in Sociology and Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Nigeria’s Ahmadu Bello University, an MA in Islamic Theology from the UK’s Birmingham University, and a BA in Theology from Durham University. In 2007 Archbishop Rowan Williams appointed him a Six Preacher at Canterbury Cathedral and Archbishop Welby awarded him the Cross of St Augustine in 2013.
“I am excited to take up the post of Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, and to continue the fine work undertaken by my predecessors in this office,” Dr Idowu-Fearon said.
“It is a privilege to be so honoured and recognised by the Communion for this leadership position. I look forward to serving the Anglican family with my future colleagues at the Anglican Communion Office and the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.”
The chairman of the Chair Anglican Consultative Council, Bishop James Tengatenga stated he was “delighted that Bishop Josiah has accepted the position. He will bring a vital new perspective on the Anglican Communion, its life and ministry. His experience and expertise in Christian-Muslim relations is particularly welcome at this time.”
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: “I warmly welcome the appointment of Bishop Josiah and look forward to working closely with him in the renewal of the Anglican Communion amidst the global challenges facing us today.”
Dr, Idowu-Fearon, who is married to Comfort and has two children, Ibrahim and Ninma, is expected to take up the role in July 2015.