ARCHBISHOP OKOH: Archbishop Duncan is a member of the GAFCON Primates Council and we are pleased to have his leadership recognized by so many Anglican Primates. The Church of Nigeria fully recognizes and supports the ACNA as a valid Anglican Province in North America and we remain firmly engaged in the life of the new Province. CANA is a founding jurisdiction of the ACNA and many of our bishops, clergy and lay leaders contribute to the leadership and ministry of ACNA. CANA remains a missionary initiative of the Church of Nigeria [Anglican Communion] as well as a full partner in the life of the ACNA.

VOL: Do you see the ordination of women to the priesthood as a sticking point in a replacement for archbishop for Robert Duncan when he retires from the ACNA in two years? Will you insist that a future ACNA archbishop not ordain women to the priesthood?

ARCHBISHOP OKOH: This is a matter for the ACNA to decide itself.

VOL: Do you see any point in time when you might sit down with Episcopal Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori and talk issues over or is that a lost cause?

ARCHBISHOP OKOH: The Church of Nigeria [Anglican Communion] is committed to proclaiming the Gospel 'once for all entrusted to the saints' and is willing to talk with anyone who wants to hear the Gospel message. What we are doing in North America is not against The Episcopal Church. I have met with the Presiding Bishop on a number of occasions and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ is never a 'lost cause' it is always Good News for every generation. In the Bible John Mark and the Apostle Paul separated and went their own ways and later reconciled for Gospel mission. What the Church of Nigeria [Anglican Communion] is doing here is not against the Anglican Communion, we are willing to be in dialogue, but will not compromise the truth of Gospel.

VOL: Nigeria is by far and away the largest Anglican Province in the Anglican Communion with nearly 20 million souls. Are you still forming new dioceses and ordaining new bishops and archbishops or have things slowed down?

ARCHBISHOP OKOH: Thanks be to God. The Church of Nigeria continues to see growth and remains very committed to mission and new ministry. We have a five year moratorium on the establishment of new dioceses so that we can consolidate the mission of the Province.

Our parishes are very committed to the planting of new churches and we are working hard to train a new generation of lay and ordained ministers to lead the church in the upcoming generation. Retiring bishops are being replaced and new bishops are being consecrated to lead those dioceses.

VOL: How are you handling the persecution of Christians by Islamist extremists in Northern Nigeria?

ARCHBISHOP OKOH: Some of our northern dioceses have suffered significantly as a result of a systematic campaign by Boko Haram to eradicate Christianity from Nigeria. Many people have been killed, churches have been burnt and destroyed, Christian homes and business have been demolished. In some areas, a curfew is making ministry very difficult for our bishops and clergy. In some areas, worship attendance is suffering as a result of the restriction placed upon our people. Yet despite all of these challenges, the message of Christ continues to be proclaimed in our Anglican churches and Christians are trying to be salt and light in their communities. We are working with our affected dioceses in the north to provide necessary support and are in partnership with organizations like the Barnabas Fund who are supporting suffering Christians.

VOL: Are Anglican evangelists able to evangelize the north or is the north off limits now that persecution by Boko Haram is so extreme and violent?

ARCHBISHOP OKOH: Violence is not the solution for the matters we face in Nigeria and the Church has been entrusted with the solution found only in the person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible. The terrain has become difficult, but when the going gets tough the tough get going. The Church of Nigeria [Anglican Communion] is committed to proclaiming the Gospel no matter what the cost. We are called to be faithful as were the martyrs who have gone before us.

VOL: The Anglican Communion is searching for a new Archbishop of Canterbury. Have you or any of your archbishops or bishops been consulted as to who might follow Archbishop Rowan Williams?

ARCHBISHOP OKOH: The Crown Nominations Committee has invited comments from Provinces in the Anglican Communion. Therefore, all Anglican Provinces have had the opportunity to make a contribution to the selection process, Nigeria inclusive. As a result of the recent Global South Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, a joint letter from several Global South Primates was sent to the chairman of the Crown Nominations Committee stating that it is imperative that the next Archbishop of Canterbury unreservedly embrace Biblical faith.

VOL: Would you be comfortable with the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu as the next Archbishop of Canterbury?

ARCHBISHOP OKOH: Whomever the Lord raises up we will work with and pray with to the best of our ability.

VOL: Would you accept a "moderately orthodox" English Archbishop in the See of Canterbury or will you demand an all or nothing evangelical?

ARCHBISHOP OKOH: Every Anglican bishop is called to declare and proclaim the historic Christian faith as Anglicans have received it. This is not about being moderately orthodox or not, it is about being faithful to Christ and his word written. The Jerusalem Declaration charts a way forward that promotes and protects the biblical gospel and mission to the world, and outlines the tenets of orthodoxy which underpin our Anglican identity.

VOL: Thank you, Archbishop.