On 13 June, the Anglican Church of Korea successfully concluded its 35th National Synod at the Cecil Theatre within the Seoul Anglican Cathedral, in South Korea. The synod brought together 123 delegates from the three dioceses of the province and a new primate was elected and installed to lead.
The Most Revd Elijah Jang-Whan Kim, Bishop of Seoul, was unanimously elected as the new Primate and Presiding Bishop by the delegates. He will officially represent and lead the Anglican Church of Korea for the next two years.
Following his installation, Bishop Elijah said, ‘I am deeply humbled by this calling. During my tenure, I will dedicate myself to fostering true church unity, igniting a spiritual church revival and expanding our meaningful contribution to the Anglican Communion.’
Bishop Elijah succeeds the Most Reverend Onesimus Dongsin Park, Bishop of Busan, as Primate and Presiding Bishop. Speaking about his time as Primate of the Church of Korea, Bishop Onesimus told the Anglican Communion Office that it had ‘been a joy to serve… as a member of the Primates of the Anglican Communion’.
The 35th National Synod of the Anglican Church of Korea
During the synod, the church also took steps to strengthen its vision of a ‘Green Anglican Church’ aimed at overcoming the current ecological crisis. Building upon the initiative launched at the 34th Synod in 2024, Ulsan Church in the Diocese of Busan was honoured with the 2nd ‘Anglican Green Church’ award, an internal provincial initiative created by the Anglican Church of Korea to recognise and encourage parishes that actively engage in environmental stewardship.
Ulsan Church was chosen by the Synod for the award for a range of environmental initiatives, including operating a recycling market, organising ‘plogging’ events, where people jog while picking up litter, improving waste sorting systems, crafting egg-shaped natural soaps for Easter and tending community gardens and green spaces.
Furthermore, praying for God’s peace amidst ongoing armed conflicts, the delegates unanimously adopted a ‘Resolution Urging Peace.’ The resolution strongly called for the establishment of peace in the United States, Iran and Palestine, as well as the de-escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Through this resolution, the delegates reaffirmed the church’s commitment and social responsibility to strive for the end of wars and the realisation of true peace.