The Diocese of Temotu in the Anglican Church of Melanesia has elected a Chester University graduate as its next bishop. On 21 June 2016 the diocesan electoral board meeting on the island of Guadalcanal elected the Rev. Leonard Dawea as the fifth bishop for the Diocese of Temotu. Bishop-elect Dawea (44) succeeds the Most Rev. George Takeli who as translated to the Diocese of Central Melanesia in April following his election as Archbishop of Melanesia. A native of the Reef Islands in Temotu Province, the new bishop was a member of the Melanesian Brotherhood — a religious order — for 12 years before leaving to marry and join the parish ministry. He earned a Bachelor of Theology honours degree in theology at the University College of Chester, now Chester University, and at the time of his election was diocesan secretary. He is married to Dorah Dawea and has two children
