October 2007

Anglican priest resigns

By NSC Reporter

October 2007
Nairobi

An Anglican priest in the province of the Episcopal church of Sudan has resigned from his ecclesiastical duties due to what he called “his family situation.”
Reverend James Magok Chilim Chok, who has been an archdeacon in the diocese of Rumbek, announced his resignation in November during the Sudanese Jieng Sunday service at St. Luke ACK in Nairobi.

Rev. Chilim said that he had to resign because of his “family situation” which he said has been going on for the last 14 years. “I would like to bring into your attention my family situation with my service in the church that I have been suffering for the last 14 years”.
Rev. Chilim accused his wife of unfaithfulness and misbehaviour from the time they got married. This, he says, is not compatible with a church leader’s wife conduct.
Rev. Chilim married Akoi Atem in 1994 and they were blessed with five children. Their marriage was formalized traditionally at Kakuma refugee camp where they both took refuge for many years.

In a letter addressed to the bishop of Rumbek diocese, Alpayo Manyang Kuctiel, Rev. Chilim detailed how family, friends, colleagues and community leaders had tried to reconcile them but all ended in vain.
In his emotional letter, he alleges that his family deserted him because they could not put up with his wife’s behaviour, which violated the Jieeng communal way of living.
The letter goes on to say that final straw came mid this year, when the woman openly told him that he was a stupid man, raising other people’s children.
“That statement hurt me alot because it was a final confirmation of her unfaithfulness to me!” says Chilim in his letter.

“Your lordship, I have consulted widely with my immediate family members, relatives, the congregation, colleagues, community elders and friends in Nairobi and Rumbek, over what would be the best course of action for me and for the church which I have served diligently since I was ordained as a clergy,” his letter adds.

According to ECS constitution, a pastor or any minister in the church cannot be allowed to re-marry if he or she has no certificate of divorce that shows a couple have officially divorced in a court of law.

“Due to those complications and for my personal dignity, I have to relieve myself from spiritual service and I better remain a layman in the Church of God with a peaceful mind. I have really felt embarrassed by my wife’s actions while serving in the church of God as a pastor….. A good pastor must be a good husband and a good father as the Bible says,” his letter went on.
He says that he decided to resign after considering the options open to him, in the light of his work in the church.

While thanking the ECS faithful and leaders for giving him an opportunity to serve them, Rev. Chilim says that he is willing to serve the church and the community at any other level other than being a pastor.
The Diocesan Bishop of Rumbek responded to Chilim’s resignation by asking him to remain a priest with no administrative obligations in the diocese for the next two years, until perhaps he resolves the conflict in his family.


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	Anglican priest resigns By NSC Reporter October 2007 Nairobi An Anglican priest in the province of the Episcopal church of Sudan has resigned from his ecclesiastical duties due to what he called “his family situation.” Reverend James Magok Chilim Chok, who has been an archdeacon in the diocese of Rumbek, announced his resignation in November during the Sudanese Jieng Sunday service at St. Luke ACK in Nairobi. Rev. Chilim said that he had to resign because of his “family situation” which he said has been going on for the last 14 years. “I would like to bring into your attention my family situation with my service in the church that I have been suffering for the last 14 years”. Rev. Chilim accused his wife of unfaithfulness and misbehaviour from the time they got married. This, he says, is not compatible with a church leader’s wife conduct. Rev. Chilim married Akoi Atem in 1994 and they were blessed with five children. Their marriage was formalized traditionally at Kakuma refugee camp where they both took refuge for many years. In a letter addressed to the bishop of Rumbek diocese, Alpayo Manyang Kuctiel, Rev. Chilim detailed how family, friends, colleagues and community leaders had tried to reconcile them but all ended in vain. In his emotional letter, he alleges that his family deserted him because they could not put up with his wife’s behaviour, which violated the Jieeng communal way of living. The letter goes on to say that final straw came mid this year, when the woman openly told him that he was a stupid man, raising other people’s children. “That statement hurt me alot because it was a final confirmation of her unfaithfulness to me!” says Chilim in his letter. “Your lordship, I have consulted widely with my immediate family members, relatives, the congregation, colleagues, community elders and friends in Nairobi and Rumbek, over what would be the best course of action for me and for the church which I have served diligently since I was ordained as a clergy,” his letter adds. According to ECS constitution, a pastor or any minister in the church cannot be allowed to re-marry if he or she has no certificate of divorce that shows a couple have officially divorced in a court of law. “Due to those complications and for my personal dignity, I have to relieve myself from spiritual service and I better remain a layman in the Church of God with a peaceful mind. I have really felt embarrassed by my wife’s actions while serving in the church of God as a pastor….. A good pastor must be a good husband and a good father as the Bible says,” his letter went on. He says that he decided to resign after considering the options open to him, in the light of his work in the church. While thanking the ECS faithful and leaders for giving him an opportunity to serve them, Rev. Chilim says that he is willing to serve the church and the community at any other level other than being a pastor. The Diocesan Bishop of Rumbek responded to Chilim’s resignation by asking him to remain a priest with no administrative obligations in the diocese for the next two years, until perhaps he resolves the conflict in his family.