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NIGERIA: Primate Akinola issues criticism
June 9, 2005
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) -- Archbishop Peter Akinola, leader of the growing and influential Church of Nigeria, has issued a strong criticism of the bishops of America's Episcopal Church for some of their recent actions in the ongoing dispute over gay ordinations and same-sex blessings. The issue has created a deep rift in worldwide Anglicanism.
Akinola also announced the formation of the Convocation of Anglican Nigerian Churches in America for Nigerian immigrants who are "no longer able to worship in" the Episcopal Church or Anglican Church of Canada because of liberalism. The convocation will have its own bishop, violating U.S. and Canadian church procedures.
Akinola complained about the Episcopal bishops' response to an appeal from the 35 heads of world Anglican branches; the church leaders asked the Episcopalians to retreat from some of their policies which are supportive of gays:
The bishops merely regretted their failure to consult others before consecrating a gay bishop, Akinola said, and an admission that this "offended God and his church" is necessary or "there can be no hope of meaningful reconciliation."
Instead of the requested moratorium on gay bishops, the Americans halted all bishop consecrations. Akinola said this "disingenuous" step "holds the entire church to ransom for the sin of a few."
The Americans' announced moratorium on same-sex blessings was "duplicitous" because bishops still permit them, Akinola said, and the ban should be permanent, not temporary.
The 17.5 million-member Nigerian church is the second largest in the Anglican Communion. Akinola also chairs the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa, which encompasses about half of the world's 77 million Anglicans.
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