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The Diocese of Renk is one of 54 dioceses in the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS). The province was created in 2017 to reflect the separation of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011. The Most Rev. Justin Badi Arama, bishop of Maridi, is the current Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, which has 3.5 million members.

The humanitarian needs in South Sudan are particularly acute, including in Upper Nile State, where the Diocese of Renk is situated. The church is essentially the only reliable provider of social services. With help from partner churches in the Dioceses of Chicago and Virginia, the Diocese of Renk has built schools, a health clinic, a seminary, St. Matthew Cathedral, churches throughout the diocese, and established micro finance enterprises. Thousands of refugees and internally displaced people are returning after two civil wars, the most recent begun in 2013.

Partner parishes in the Diocese of Chicago are: Grace, Galena; All Saints’, Chicago; Church of Our Saviour, Elmhurst; St. Barnabas, Glen Ellyn; Christ Church, Winnetka; Grace, Oak Park; St. Christopher, Oak Park; St. Michael’s, Barrington.

To send a contribution to the Diocese of Renk, reference the Designation Form. To learn more about the Companion Diocese Relationship between Chicago and Renk, contact Jackie Kraus or visit the Global Mission page of the website.

July 2023 Consecration and Seating of Bishop Simon Chuang

The Rt. Rev. Simon Chuang Ayok was consecrated to serve as third bishop of Renk Diocese by the primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan Province, the Most Rev. Justin Badi, on July 17 in Juba, South Sudan.

On July 23, the Most Rev. Joseph Garang Atem presided at the seating of Bishop Chuang at St. Matthew Cathedral. Archbishop Joseph Garang now serves as archbishop of Upper Nile Internal Province of ECSS.

Bishop Simon Chuang shared a letter of thanks and support with partners and friends of Renk Diocese. “As many of you had been praying for smooth transition of spiritual leadership in Renk Diocese, God has answered our prayers, and we thank Him for that.”

General Information

  • Diocese of Renk
    • Bishop of Renk: The Rt. Rev. Simon Shuang Ayok
    • Address: PO Box 110, Juba, South Sudan
    • Founded: 1995
    • Members: 30,000
    • Congregations: 13
  • Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS)
    • Founded in 2017 (following secession of South Sudan from Sudan)
    • Members: 3.5 million
    • Dioceses: 54
    • Primate: The Most Rev. Justin Badi Arama
  • South Sudan National Anthem–Oyee!

Renk Media Team

In January 2010 Bishop Jeffrey Lee and three members of a media team – The Rev. Kevin Goodman of St. James Cathedral, Charlie Simokaitis and Connie Wilson, of All Saints’, Chicago – visited the Diocese of Renk to produce a photographic and video archive of the people and ministries of the diocese. Their ten days in Khartoum and the Diocese of Renk included a meeting with Sudan’s then-Primate and former Bishop of Renk, the Most Rev. Daniel Deng Bul; a joy-filled service with Bishop Joseph Garang Atem at St. Matthew Cathedral; the naming and dedication of churches in Halaga and North Paloch; and visits to a medical clinic and schools where the church is the primary social service provider.

While in Sudan, the team recorded three video messages of their experiences, and Kevin Goodman posted them on YouTube. An expanded video of the trip was distributed to The Episcopal Missions Office, the Episcopal Church of Sudan and the Diocese of Renk, and partner congregations of the Diocese of Chicago. Below are links and a short description of the three video messages.

  • Sudan Video One (January 10, 2010)
    • Khartoum, Renk Town, message from Sudan Primate Daniel Deng Bul
  • Sudan Video Two (January 11, 2010)
    • St. Luke’s Church, Renk Town,; Glory Church, Renk Town; St. Matthew’s Cathedral, Renk Town; Renk Theological College and medical clinic; new church consecration St. Paul, in Halaga; St. Barnaba Church, Geiger
  • Sudan Video Three (January 16, 2010)
    • St. John’s, Mellut; medical clinic and school, Mellut; St. Barnabas, Maban; church plant, Maban County; former mosque converted to church, St. Stephen’s, North Pelouch; St. Andrew’s, Wadokona.