Timothy Livingstone (Amboko) Wambunya (born 1966) is an Anglican bishop.[1] He was the Anglican Bishop of Butere in Kenya[2] until September 2020, when he resigned and left Kenya after recovering from COVID-19.[3] In 2024, he was announced as the next Bishop of Wolverhampton, an area bishop in the Church of England Diocese of Lichfield.[4]
Early life and education
editTimothy Wambunya was born in Kenya. He came to the United Kingdom aged 19, and spent seven years in the navy before training for the priesthood.[5]
Wambunya gained a BA in theology from Middlesex University in 1996, followed by a Master's in Philosophy from Oxford University and a PhD in Paremiology from the University of Wales.[6]
He studied at the Simon of Cyrene Theological Institute, then at Oak Hill College in London, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1994.[1][4]
Clerical career
editWambunya took orders in the Church of England: he was made deacon at Petertide 1997 (28 June) by Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, at St Paul's Cathedral;[7] and ordained priest the following Petertide (4 July 1998) by Graham Dow, Bishop of Willesden, at St Martin's Church, Ruislip.[8] He served his curacy at St John's Church, Southall, and was ordained priest in 1998.[4] In 2000 he became a team vicar in the Tollington parish, serving at Emmanuel Church, Holloway; and in 2007 was appointed principal of the Church Army's Carlile College in Nairobi, Kenya.[1][4]
Wambunya was consecrated as the third Bishop of Butere on 6 October 2013,[9] succeeding Horace Etemesi (1993–2003) and Michael Joshua Sande (2003–2013).[10][11]
In 2020 he left Kenya and his episcopal role, and in September was appointed vicar of St Paul's Church in Slough, a 'resource church' in the Church of England Diocese of Oxford;[12] he also became an honorary assistant bishop of that diocese in 2021.[13]
In 2024 he was announced as the next Bishop of Wolverhampton, an area bishop in the Diocese of Lichfield.[4] His welcome service is scheduled for 15 October 2024.[14]
Personal life
editHe is married to Gertrude and has three sons.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c Crockford's Clerical Directory. Church House Publishing. 2022. ISBN 978-0-7151-1184-0.
- ^ Office, Anglican Communion. "Anglican Communion: Position". Anglican Communion Website. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ^ "Butere ACK Bishop Wambunya quits five months after Covid-19 attack". The Star. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ^ a b c d e "Appointment of Suffragan Bishop of Wolverhampton". UK Government. 27 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Intensive care battle for life by Slough's new vicar". Slough & South Bucks Observer. 23 September 2020.
- ^ Amalemba, Robert. "My hustle was selling UK suits to Kenyans - ACK Butere Diocese, BishopTimothy Wambunya". Standard Entertainment and Lifestyle. Archived from the original on 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ^ "Ordinations". Church Times. No. 7013. 11 July 1997. p. 6. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 1 September 2024 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ "Ordinations". Church Times. No. 7065. 10 July 1998. p. 17. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 1 September 2024 – via UK Press Online archives.
- ^ "The Rt Revd Timothy Wambunya on World Anglican Clerical Directory". World Anglican Clerical Directory. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ^ "Butere - ACK". www.ackenya.org. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ^ "Our Story". ACK Diocese of Butere. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ "'Life and death' struggle against Coronavirus by Slough's new vicar". Slough Observer. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ^ "Appointments". Church Times. No. 8275. 22 October 2021. p. 30. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ "Downing Street announces next area bishop of Wolverhampton". Diocese of Lichfield. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.