The Archbishop of Melanesia has stepped down from office a month ahead of schedule to enter politics. On 22 Feb 2019 the Most Rev George Takeli announced he had left office to contest the Ulawa/Ugi constituency in April’s general election for the Solomon Islands parliament.
Archbishop Takeli had been set to retire on 25 March 2019, but stepped down early in order to campaign for election. He had been given leave by provincial management board to seek nomination for office, but once he was selected to contest the seat he was asked to step down from ministry.
The ACoM standing committee has appointed the Bishop of Guadalcanal Rt. Rev. Nathan Tome, the senior bishop of the province, to act as interim primate pending the election of a new archbishop and primate later this year.
A farewell liturgical service for Archbishop Takeli is planned for Sunday 24 March at the cathedral in Honiara the day before his official retirement commences.
