Lutheran Bishop wins 2nd term

The Lutheran Church in Liberia has concluded its 157th Convention at the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Phebe, Suakoko District, Bong County. More than five hundred delegates from parishes across the country attended the convention, which witnessed the re-election of Bishop Jensen Seyenkolo to serve for another six years.

Officially announcing the results of the competitive exercise, the Chairman of the Election Commission of the Lutheran Church, James Fromoyan, declared Bishop Seyenkolo as winner.

Mr. Fromoyan is former chairman of the National Elections Commission of Liberia, and member of the Lutheran Church here. According to him, Rev. Seyenkolo defeated his rival Rev. G. Victor Padmore by 263 votes, representing 54.7 percent of the total votes cast, while Rev. Padmore received 218 votes, amounting to 45.3 percent.

A total of 495 votes were cast, including 14 invalid votes. At the end of the elections, journalists covering the event late Saturday night were prevented from interacting with Bishop Seyenkolo as he was heavily guarded by his supporters, leaving the hall without any acceptance speech.

The just-ended LCL bishopric election is the second Rev. Padmore has contested and lost. Bishop Seyenkolo is expected to manage the affairs of the Lutheran Church in Liberia from now to 2022.

By Papa Morris in Bong-Editing by Jonathan Browne