Leonard Auala

Leonard Nangolo Auala (25 September 1908 – 4 December, 1983) was a Namibian Lutheran Church leader.

The Reverend Leonard Auala
Bishop
1967
Church	Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia
In office	1963–1979
Personal details
Born	25 September 1908 Ondangua, Oshana Region[1]
Died	4 December, 1983 Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital,[2] Ondangua, Namibia

Early life

Auala was born in Ondangua, Oshana Region, near Oniipa. He was raised by Lutheran missionaries from Finland.[3] He went to primary school in Oniipa before going to Augustineum, Okahandja, and theological training in Elim, Namibia, and Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Career

Auala was the first Namibian bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), a member of the Lutheran World Federation. He lived most of his life under South African rule. As a prominent religious leader for both the Ovambo people and other groups across Namibia, Auala met regularly with the South Africans to discuss issues like contract labour and other facets of apartheid.[4] A member of the South West Africa People's Organization, he received threats and harassment from the South African occupiers.

References

1. Kutsu Helsingin yliopiston teologisen tiedekunnan tohtoripromootioon marraskuun 2 päivänä 1967, p. 32. Helsinki, 1967.
2. Ihamäki, Kirsti (1985). Leonard Auala: Mustan Namibian paimen. Helsinki: Kirjaneliö. pp. 270–271. ISBN 951-600-677-9.
3. Bishop Auala Centenary. The Namibian, 25 September, 2008.
4. Leonard Auala at the Dictionary of African Christian Biography.