Africa-Press – Namibia. REVEREND Martin Ngodji, who last month was elected as the new bishop of the Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin), has died. He died in the Ondangwa Private Hospital this morning.
Elcin spokesperson Reverend Thomas Uushona confirmed the shocking news, saying that the bishop-elect was initially admitted in the Onandjokwe district hospital, but was later transferred to the Ondangwa Private Hospital.
“I was among those who visited him in the hospital and our impression was that he was on the road to recovery when, suddenly this morning, we learned of his passing,” said Reverend Uushona.
Late Dr. Ngodji, who is from Okongo in the Ohangwena Region, is a renown Bible scholar, having served as pastor at various Lutheran parishes and also as rector of the United Lutheran Theological Seminary Paulinum in Windhoek.
His lastest job was at the Bible Society of Namibia as Exegete and Project leader for new Oshindonga and Oshikwanyama Bible translations. Dr. Ngodji, who was to be installed as bishop on 14 November, was one of the five candidates who last month competed for two bishopric positions, replacing outgoing bishops Shekutamba Nambala and Veikko Munyika.
Dr. Ngodji was elected bishop for the Eastern Diocese while Dr. Gideon Niitenge was elected moderator of the Western Diocese. The other three candidates were Dr. Matthew Kapolo, Reverend Alpo Enkono and Dr. Eliakim Shaanika.
