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Nigerian Anglican Primate Will Snub Canadian Counterpart in Visit
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
June 21, 2011
In what is being billed as an "historic moment", the Archbishop of Nigeria Nicholas Okoh will visit Canada, but he will not see his counterpart, the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, the Anglican Primate of Canada.
In what can only be described as a deliberate snub by the African Archbishop, the head of 20 million Nigerian Anglicans, Archbishop Okoh will visit some of his CANA (Convocation of Anglicans in North America) Churches in Canada between July 15 - 25th, 2011.
CANA was formed following a complete break from the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) as a result of its departure from the historic formularies and traditions of the global Anglican Communion. Orthodox Anglicans licensed by CANA will welcome the Primate of all Nigeria to Canada. His congregations are not recognized by the Anglican Church of Canada.
While he has visited the U.S. several times since his election as the Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, most recently in March 2010, this will be his first visit to Canada. He has chosen the historic cities of Regina and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan as places to visit.
The archbishop will be accompanied on this visit by his wife who is President of Women Ministries - Women Guild and Mothers Union Nigeria as well as The Registrar of the Church of Nigeria. At least three of his archbishops/bishops are also visiting.
The visit will also coincide with the 7th Annual Convention of host church the Anglican Church of the Redeemer, Regina, scheduled on July 8 - July 10, 2011. The theme of this year's Convention is "Loose him and let him go" John 11:43. Guest preacher for the three day event will be Rt. Rev. Dr. Sam Ezeofor, Bishop, Diocese of Ogbaru, Church of Nigeria. "Deliverance and breakthrough" night is scheduled for Friday. It will be followed by a retreat and service scheduled for 10:00am Sunday July 10.
The Rev. Canon Olukayode Adebogun is the evangelical rector and senior pastor of the Anglican Church of the Redeemer. He was born in Nigeria. He says this about himself, "The joy of salvation and the fire of Holy Spirit has continued to burn in me since this encounter. I have been serving the Lord in different capacities since this unique experience." Canon Adebogun is a pastor, teacher, and evangelist by calling.
Earlier this year, Archbishop Okoh was a no show at a meeting of the heads of 38 provinces of the Anglican Communion called by Archbishop Rowan Williams in Dublin, Ireland.
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