Bishop James Tengatenga elected chair of ACC

The election of Bishop James Tengatenga of Central Malawi in the Church of the Province of Central Africa as the new Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council was announced during this morning's session of ACC-14 in Jamaica. He will take over from the Rt Revd John Patterson from Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia and will serve until 2015.

Bishop James was one of four candidates and reached the 33 votes needed out of the total of 66 at the third stage of counting. Mrs Elizabeth Paver from the Church of England was the runner up in the election.

I first met Bishop James at the Partners in World Mission Conference held at the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick in December 2006. Bishop James was one of the keynote speakers, and made two presentations on Hospitality that listens, and Hospitality that transforms. He was also a member of the Lambeth Conference Design Group for 2008. Bishop James and I have shared a long supper conversation at the conference and have continued our friendship at international since then.

Changing Attitude England warmly welcomes his appointment and congratulates Bishop James.