Bishop Elabor to members: Rise and let’s build our diocese

The new Bishop of the Esan Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Gabriel Elabor, has enjoined members of the diocese to join hands with him in building the diocese.

The Bishop, who was addressing members in a special diocesan service at St Andrew’s Cathedral Ekpoma on October 6, 2020, to celebrate his consecration and enthronement as the Bishop of the Diocese, said: “Esan Diocese is our Diocese, this is the only home we have, therefore, we must not destroy it. I call on all both old and young, to rise and let’s in unison build our Diocese.”

Elabor outlined various programmes that his administration would focus such as strengthening the foundation already laid by his predecessor; finishing the new Cathedral building; establishing a Diocesan school in each of the five council areas, which Esan Diocese covers, and enhancing the investment and income generation of the diocese. In the area of mission and evangelism, he said that they would endeavour to establish a minimum of two churches in the next five years and that all the existing youth organisations would be strengthened and new ones introduced. He also promised to move around the diocese unannounced for familiarisation and that honorarium would not be necessary.

The newly enthroned Bishop also indicated that his tenure would be marked with order and discipline as he declared: “Indiscipline will not be entertained from the high to the low. If you feel you can’t work under the leadership of Bishop, no worries, no quarrels, quietly step aside, not recruiting people to be rebellious. Non-functional Knights will be de-robed, same with Clergy/wives who have decided not to work according to the rules or ethics of our vocation. Youths or adults found to be insultive, not giving honour or respect to priests and workers of this Diocese would be excommunicated. Lay readers are to renew their licences for 2021…”

The service featured a special thanksgiving by the Bishop and his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Chidalu Elabor and had in attendance the just retired Bishop, Most Rev’d and Mrs. Friday Imaekhai, the wife of the Archbishop of Bendel, Mrs. Ufuoma Odutemu, several other visiting Bishops/clergy, as well as the clergy and officials of the Diocese, among others.