The Primate of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, Archbishop George Takeli, will stand down in March at the age of 60 – the compulsory retirement age in the Province. The General Secretary of ACOM, Dr Abraham Hauriasi, confirmed that the Archbishop will retire on 25 March – his 60th birthday. “He will have served as Archbishop for nearly three years and leaves the Church in good heart”, Dr Hauriasi said.

Archbishop George served in the Solomon Islands Marine Division prior to ordination as a priest. After 20 years in ordained ministry he was consecrated to serve as Bishop of Temotu – a post he held for six years prior to his election as Archbishop and Primate.

Shortly after his installation he oversaw the first bishops’ training in the Diocese of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, highlighting the very close working relationship with the dioceses in that part of the Province. He also forged close relationships with important mission partners including the Melanesian Mission Trust Board, the Melanesian Mission UK, and the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, as well as other key partners both regionally and internationally.

In November 2017 he presided over the 14th General Synod in Port Vila, Vanuatu where he encouraged open discussions on issues including the ordination of women.

Last year, during a service in St Barnabas Cathedral in May, he re-launched the Decade of Evangelism and Renewal Programme, which will begin across the dioceses of ACOM next year.

Archbishop George said: “I have worked to implement the vision God placed in my heart for this Church, to build ACOM and help the church grow and mature in all aspects of spiritual, socio-political, economic and cultural well-being.”

The process of selecting the next Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Melanesia will begin following Archbishop George’s retirement.