A see or a diocese may be declare vacant for a number of reasons as outlined in the church canons. The first reason is that a Diocesan bishop has served until they reach the retirement age of 65 years.
The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya receives in writing that the Bishop of the Diocese has officially retired and the See is canonically vacant and ready for the process of electing a new Bishop. Upon receiving that letter, the Archbishop will assume Episcopal responsibilities of the vacant see so that there is no vacuum. In other circumstances, the Archbishop can also appoint an Archbishop’s commissary to take up his role.
Not more than 7 days after receiving official communication that the See is vacant, the Archbishop, in writing, will inform and instruct the Diocesan Chancellor to begin the process of holding an Episcopal election in line with the provisions of Article XI and Canon V in the Kenyan Anglican Constitution of 2002.
The Diocesan Chancellor upon receiving that communication will also, in writing, inform the Provincial and Diocesan Synod of the Vacancy and invite them to nominate any Priest or Bishop between 35 and 60 years within the Anglican communion to present themselves as a Bishopric candidate.
The Chancellor will also inform both synods of the deadline to hand in nominations which will not be more than 30 days from the day that he sends out the communication.
Each nomination form for a candidate shall be signed by either 5 members of the Diocesan Synod (consisting of at least; 2 Priests and 2 laymen) or 5 members of the Provincial Standing committee of Synod.
It’s important to note that on closure of nomination, the Diocesan Chancellor and the Synod Secretaries; the Clerical and Lay secretaries shall confirm themselves that the persons nominated are Priests within the Anglican Communion and that those who have appended their signatures (A bishop, a Priest and a lay person) are either members of the Diocesan Synod or the Provincial Synod.
If any irregularities are found in the nomination forms, the names in question will be removed, and the reason for the removal will be provided when the nominations are presented to the Archbishop. The remaining valid nominations will then be forwarded to the search committee, which, after a rigorous vetting process, will narrow the list down to three candidates. These candidates will then proceed to face the electors on a designated date.
Special thanks to Rev. Hosea Pala of the Diocese of Nairobi, for this insightful contributions.
