More than one thousand church members in and around Jejevo parish in the Diocese of Ysabel (DOY) witnessed and took part in litugicalo service marking the official retirement of their Diocesan Bishop, the Right Rev. Richard Naramana on Sunday the 20th September 2015.
Amongst other witnessing the ceremony are Hon. Samuel Manetoali Member of Parliament for Gao bugotu, General Secretary of ACOM Dr. Abraham Hauriasi, Premier of Ysabel Provincial Government, chiefs representatives and CEO of Axiom Mining company who is one of the strong supporter of the Diocese of Ysabel.
Bishop Richard 65 served as the Diocesan Bishop for eleven years.
His Ministry in the Church began way back 1978 when he was a tutor at the Melanesian Brotherhood’s headquarter at Tabalia then on for study at Kohimarama from 1979 to 1982. In January 1983 he was ordained Deacon and later as priest in 1984 who then became a first parish priest in Jejevo Parish. He served the church for a period of thirty seven years.
He was elected in November 2003 and was consecrated on March 18th 2004 as the fifth Diocesan Bishop of Ysabel.
Prior to his election, Bp Richard was once a Mission Secretary of the Anglican Church of Melanesia from 2001 to 2003 where he was instrumental in setting up the Christian Care Center (CCC) and the Elison Pogo household for the Community of the Sisters of Melanesia.
“As Mission Secretary of the ACOM, he was very passionate about the mission of the church. He was particularly very supportive of our religious orders”, Dr. Abraham Hauriasi ACOM General Secretary said.
In the Diocese of Ysabel, Bishop Richard has proven to the people of Ysabel his caliber in leading the diocese forward.
To mention a few, the retired Bishop Richard established the Garanga Vocational Training Centre, Ysabel Senior Secondary School, establishments of all the religious Communities in his diocese.
Canon Jacob Pitu who represented the chiefs in his address said, “Bishop Richard has achieved excellence in pastoral duties as well as physical growth of the Diocese of Ysabel”.
Mr. John Riumono, Diocesan Secretary also echoed the same sentiment as he delivered his speech on behalf of the Diocesan Administration.
“No one will deny your achievements in Mission Infrastructures, Investments, Education and Training and partnership links, the diocese have had”, the Diocesan Secretary said.
“We have been honored and privileged to have worked with a leader who is as simple a man who fits in well at all levels of society. We have learned a lot from your leadership, for that we owe you so much”, the Diocesan Secretary stated.
Dr. Abraham Hauriasi, General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) also thanked retired Bishop for his numerous contributions rendered to the Church of Melanesia for the past 37 Years.
The next Bishop of Ysabel will be elected by the Diocesan Electoral Board the 10thof November and his consecration and installment will be on 7 February 2016.