Indian Ocean Synod reelects Ian Ernest as Archbishop: The Church of England Newspaper, September 2, 2012 p 6.

The General Synod of the Province of the Indian Ocean has re-elected the Bishop of Mauritius Ian Ernest to a second five-year term and archbishop and primate of the eight diocese province covering Madagascar, the Seychelles and Mauritius.

Meeting last week in Fianarantsoa, Madagascar the bishops and synod discussed the political and economic situation in Madagascar, which since independence from France in 1960 has suffered repeated changes of government.  A Fourth Republic was established in 2010 after the adoption by referendum of a new constitution.  In 2009 President Marc Ravalomanana was removed by a coup led opposition leader and then-mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina.  In March 2009, Rajoelina was declared by the Supreme Court as the President of the High Transitional Authority, an interim governing body responsible for moving the country toward presidential elections.  Elections have been set for next year.

In an interview with Week-End magazine, Archbishop Ernest said the synod hoped the Anglican Church could act as a mediating agent between the rival political groups in Madagascar and help bring an end to political instability that had dried up the tourist trade and hampered economic growth.  The Synod welcomed the government’s pledge to hold elections next year, and asked that they be free and fair and respectful of the dignity of the people (“respectueux du peuple malgache”). They also called upon the government to support the right to information and freedom of expression (droit à l’information et à la liberté d’expression).

In other business synod heard reports on diocesan projects, including the foundation of an Anglicare Mauritius to oversee church social service work on the island.  The church agency’s first project is a home for un-wed mothers built in conjunction with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Port-Louis.

Archbishop Ernest told Week-End the Anglican Church sought to be a full partner in the social, spiritual and economic development of Mauritius.  “We are all called to work together to honor the sacrifice made by the ancestors of all Mauritians to make this country a land of milk and honey,” said the archbishop.

First printed in The Church of England Newspaper.