The Anglican Church in North America’s College of Bishops Elects The Rt. Rev. Cpt. Jerome R. Cayangyagng, CHC, USN, as Bishop of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy
Mt. Pleasant, S.C. — The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) is pleased to announce the election of the Right Reverend Jerome R. Cayangyang, Captain, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy, as the Bishop of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy.
Due to recent statements by the Right Reverend Derek L.S. Jones, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF, Ret., declaring his disaffiliation and separation from the ACNA, the ACNA College of Bishops met this afternoon to pass a resolution declaring a vacancy in the position of Bishop of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy. The College then voted to elect Bishop Cayangyang to fulfill this role.
The Bishop of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy oversees The Special Jurisdiction for the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy, a canonical ministry of the ACNA established under Title 1, Canon 11 of the Province’s canons. Bishop Cayangyang will provide leadership, pastoral care, and oversight for Anglican clergy serving as chaplains in the United States Armed Forces, federal and state agencies, hospitals, and other specialized institutions to ensure these chaplains remain connected to the wider church in their unique callings and provide spiritual covering for their families and ministries.
Bishop Cayangyang previously served as Suffragan Bishop of the Special Jurisdiction under Bishop Derek Jones and brings rich experience in both pastoral ministry and military chaplaincy. He currently serves as Deputy Chaplain of the Marine Corps for Reserve Matters, and most recently served as the Rector of Bishop Seabury Anglican Church in Gales Ferry, Connecticut. Bishop Cayangyang has more than 35 years of active and reserve military service, including two combat deployments in Iraq. He has walked alongside service members and their families ashore, at sea, and in the field, ministering in times of deployment and crisis.
“I am humbled to be entrusted with this responsibility to care for our chaplains and their families,” Bishop Cayangyang said. “Chaplains embody the love of Christ in some of the most challenging and demanding environments. My prayer is to support them faithfully so the good news of Jesus Christ continues to be shared where it is most needed.”
Archbishop Stephen D. Wood, Primate of the Anglican Church in North America, welcomed the new bishop to his role: “We give thanks to God for Bishop Cayangyang’s willingness to serve in this critical role. I have every confidence his courageous leadership, pastoral heart, and long military experience will strengthen the vital ministry of our ACNA chaplains who serve courageously at the unique intersection of faith and public service.”
Chaplains are also encouraged to note that in correspondence with Archbishop Wood dated September 24, Chaplain (COL) David Wake, Executive Director of the Armed Forces Chaplains Board in the Office of the Deputy Secretary of War for Personnel & Readiness recently noted, “At no time should any [ACNA] serving chaplain or chaplain candidate be concerned about their endorsement or ability to serve the Armed Forces. My expectation is all should be able to continue their service without interruption, and I know all three Chaplaincies are committed to the same goal.”
Archbishop Wood has also been in touch with the Executive Director of chaplaincy services in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The investiture and seating of Bishop Cayangyang will be determined and announced at a later date. Clergy and laity across the province are invited to join in prayer for him as he begins this ministry of oversight, encouragement, and shepherding within the Special Jurisdiction for the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy.
Any ACNA chaplains who would like to be added to the ACNA Chaplains Email Distribution List to receive news and updates can sign up here. Information is also available on the ACNA website located here.