The Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Most Revd Hosam Naoum, is to install the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Anthony Poggo, as an honorary Canon of Saint George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem. The conferring of the honorary Canonry will take place tomorrow evening (5th July) during a service of Evening Prayer in the Cathedral.

This will be Bishop Anthony’s second visit to Jerusalem. He had intended to undertake studies at Saint George’s College, in the cathedral grounds, in the 1990s, but his travel documents at the time did not allow travel to Israel.

Following South Sudan’s independence, Bishop Anthony was able to visit the Holy Land for three weeks in 2018, with a group of ordinands and clergy staying at Saint George’sCollege. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit many parts of this country and visit biblical and historic sites,” Bishop Anthony said. “After this visit, reading the Bible has not been the same.”

Bishop Anthony is now a trustee of Saint George’s College. He said: “I hope to bring some of my experiences to this role and use my contacts across the communion to encourage colleges and provinces to see St George’s College as an Anglican Communion family institution.”

In addition to his role as Archbishop of Jerusalem, Archbishop Hosam is also the Primate of the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East, and Vice Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council. He said: “following historical tradition, we are pleased to install Bishop Anthony Poggo as an Honorary Canon of Saint George's Cathedral, Jerusalem, in the Seat of the Anglican Communion in recognition of his devoted service to Christ in the office of Secretary General. We wish him all of God’s blessings as he ministers throughout the worldwide Communion.”