The Rt. Rev. Johannes Angela, who retired last year after 17 years in office, pled not guilty to the charge of having defiled a 15-year old girl
The former Bishop of Bondo, Kenya, was arraigned today before a magistrate in Bondo on charges that he engaged in sexual intercourse with an underaged girl.
The Rt. Rev. Johannes Angela, who retired last year after 17 years in office, pled not guilty to the charge of having defiled a 15-year old girl on the night of June 27/28, while the teen was staying at his home. The girl reported the assault to a teacher at a youth home, prompting the former bishop’s arrest.
Before a packed court, on 2 July 2018 Bishop Angela pled not guilty to the charge that he violated section 8(1) of the Sexual Offenses Act 2006 by ”forcefully and intentionally” engaging in “carnal knowledge” with a minor. Upon petition of his attorney, he was released on a bond of Sh200,000. If convicted of the charge, he could face up to life imprisonment.
While Bishop Bondo sat out the 2008 Lambeth Conference, he has in recent years taken part in the Anglican Church of Canada’s Bishops in Dialogue program. In 2016 he endorsed the communique from the Seventh Consultation held in Accra that urged Anglicans and Episcopalians to reconcile, “to live an examined life, commit to difference and diversity with courage and affection, and continue to share the good news that in Christ we are one in our divinely created diversity.”
A hearing has been set for the Bondo Magistrate’s July 30/31 session to begin adjudication in this case.