Dr. Shoo Becomes Bishop of Northern Diocese

The General Assembly of the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has elected Rev Dr. Frederick Onael Shoo (55) to become the Bishop and Rev. Elingaya Augustine Saria (61) to be Assistant to the Bishop in the diocese.

Rev. Shoo who joined Makumira 1982 to 1986 for Theology studies was ordained to become a pastor in 1986. He served in the diocese as Assistant to the Bishop for ten years; Pastor-in Charge Mwika Lutheran Parish 1986 - 1988 and Provost of Mwika Bible College 1995 - 2003. He obtained his Doctorate degree in Germany where he studies from 1990 to 1995.

He takes over the leadership of the diocese from Bishop Dr. Martin Shao whose term expires after serving in the capacity for ten years.

The ELCT Northern Diocese Assembly took place at the main campus of Stefano Moshi Memorial University College at Masoka, near Moshi 17 – 21 August 2014.

Dr Shoo is married to Janeth and together they have three children.

Rev Saria was ordained to become a pastor in 1983 after completing his Bachelor of Divinity studies at Lutheran Theological Makumira (now Tumaini University Makumira). He served as parish pastor at Kidia and Majengo up to January 2005 when he became District Pastor of Kilimanjaro Kati 2005 to August 2014.

Between July 2010 and 2012 he served as assistant to the Interim Leader in the ELCT Dodoma Diocese.

Rev. Saria is married to Joana and together they have five children.

For more on the Northern Diocese visit their website: http://northerndiocese.co.tz.

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