NAIROBI, Kenya — The defrocked Archbishop of Jonglei Internal Province, Rt. Rev. Reuben Akurdit Ngong, is in Nairobi for a spiritual tour that has drawn South Sudanese Christians from various counties, including Kakuma Refugee Camp. The event, which included the appointment of new pastors, has surprised many Christians in Kenya, witnesses reported Sunday, July 21.
Rt. Rev. Ngong’s actions on Sunday highlight a crisis in church leadership, with some calling for intervention by the South Sudanese government.
He appointed numerous pastors who reportedly have neither churches nor salaries, raising concerns about the sustainability and credibility of these appointments
. Archbishop Reuben Akurdit Ngong has appointed new members of the clergy from various locations in the diaspora, including those from the Kakuma Refugee Camp and the areas of Kitale, Eldoret, Nakuru, and Nairobi. This move is part of his efforts to expand and strengthen the church’s presence and support among the dispersed communities.
The Archbishop has accused other bishops in Jonglei State of signing agreements supporting LGBTQ+ rights, which he opposes. This controversy may be driving his efforts to establish more churches both abroad and within South Sudan. One Christian, who spoke to The Juba Mirror, expressed concern about the Archbishop’s choices, emphasizing the need for credible individuals to lead the congregation.
“It’s not wrong to recruit people to the church, but they should be right individuals who will preach the gospel well, not people with questionable characters,” they said.
The Archbishop’s visit and actions have stirred significant reactions among the faithful, reflecting ongoing tensions and differing views on church leadership and governance within the community