The Diocese of Peshawar in the Church of Pakistan is set to elect a Co-adjutor Bishop by January 20, 2025, in preparation for the retirement of The Rt. Rev. Humphrey Sarfraz Peters, scheduled for January 26, 2026. This timeline complies with the Church’s regulations, which require each diocese to elect a successor at least a year before the incumbent bishop’s retirement.
The election process began in November 2024 when the Diocese of Peshawar passed a resolution and issued an announcement letter to formally initiate proceedings. The Synod’s Executive Committee, chaired by Moderator Bishop Dr. Azad Marshall, endorsed these steps during its meeting on December 7, 2024. Following this, the General Secretary of the Synod, Mr. Khurram Shahzad, requested the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Shahid Younis, to convene a Special Meeting of the Peshawar Diocesan Council to finalize the election process.
Under the Rules and Procedures for the Election and Consecration of Co-adjutor Bishop (2007), if the Diocese fails to conduct the election by the stipulated deadline, the Synod has the authority to intervene. This rule was emphasized during a special Synod meeting held on May 10-11, 2023. The meeting clarified that in the event of non-compliance by a diocese, the Moderator/President of the Synod is empowered to initiate the election process with the approval of the Synod Executive Committee.
At present, there are no indications of any controversies surrounding the election process. On the contrary, Moderator Bishop Azad Marshall and the Synod leadership appear committed to ensuring the election takes place smoothly and adheres strictly to the Church’s regulations. Their proactive measures reflect a collaborative effort to maintain governance standards and leadership continuity within the Church of Pakistan.
This election is a significant event for the Diocese of Peshawar, as it represents not only a leadership transition but also a demonstration of the Church’s commitment to its rules and traditions. The Synod has shown its readiness to provide support if unforeseen challenges arise, reinforcing confidence that the process will conclude successfully.
Unless unexpected complications arise, the election of a Co-adjutor Bishop in the Diocese of Peshawar is anticipated to proceed as scheduled, ensuring a seamless transition of leadership and compliance with the Church’s established norms.