KUCHING: The Province of the Anglican Church in South East Asia has announced the appointment of the Revd Donald Jute as the 14th Bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei, which is known as the Diocese of Kuching.
A press statement yesterday said the Consecration and Enthronement Service will be on Aug 13 at St Thomas’ Cathedral here at 4pm.
The House of Bishops announced Donald’s appointment in a resolution dated July 4.
“Having considered the needs of and the presentation made by the Diocese of Kuching on the appointment of the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of Kuching, we the House of Bishops hereby resolved and confirm that the Reverend Donald Jute be consecrated and installed as the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of Kuching,” said the resolution.
It was signed by the Archbishop of the Anglican Province of South East Asia and Bishop of West Malaysia – Most Revd Datuk Ng Moon Hing; Bishop of Kuching – Right Revd Datuk Bolly Lapok; Bishop of Singapore – Right Revd Rennis Ponniah; and Bishop of Sabah – Right Revd Melter Jiki Tais.
“I believe that a priest has been called and entrusted by the Lord to feed, nurture, and lead His people, while at the same time reaching out to the lost world with the life-changing Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. My pattern and model of leadership is none other than the Good Shepherd, the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, who ‘came to serve and not be served’,” Donald said in his personal statement.
“Among others, I am passionate about Church Renewal, Relevance of Worship, Discipleship Training, Youth Ministry, and the Empowerment of Lay Leadership and the whole Body of Christ, the Church.”
Donald, 51, is presently the Vicar of The Good Shepherd Church, Lutong in Miri.
He serves as a member of the Diocesan Standing Committee, coordinator-conductor for Local Ordained Ministry (Northern Sector), member of the Provincial Liturgical Committee, and lead member of the Harmony Group with Masjid An Naim, Lutong in Miri.
From 2007 to 2009, he was Rector at St Oswald’s Church, Kings Park in Glasgow, Scotland; while from 2003 to 2007 served as Associate Rector at St Andrew’s Milngavie, All Saints Bearsden and Drumchapel Congregation in the Diocese of Glasgow.
Donald was also Assistant Priest at St Thomas’ Cathedral here from 1998 to 2002, lecturer at the House of the Epiphany Theological College from 1992 to 1998, and Pastoral Assistant at St Thomas’ Cathedral from 1988 to 1989.
He holds a Bachelor of Divinity (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and a Diploma in Missiology from the Australian College of Theology via the House of the Epiphany Theological College, Kuching.
Donald is married to Julita Jack Sunggul and they are blessed with four children – Izra, Iona, Ian, and Ingrid.
