"An archbishop may hold a strong position on a particular theological debate, but that should not be a reason to silence those of his colleagues with an alternative opinion as representatives of their dioceses," Dr. Idowu-Fearon wrote. The Nigerian Bishop was a member of the Lambeth Commission which produced the Windsor report.

In July 2008, Nigerian Primate Peter Akinola demoted Bishop Idowu-Fearon to bishop from his former position as Archbishop of Kaduna, Nigeria because he favored continued links with Canterbury. By his insistence that his primate attend the Dublin meeting the Nigerian bishop courts new punishment.

The bishop said that he fears that some of the Primates were "not actually consulted properly" before announcing their intention to boycott the meeting. There is "a huge desire" among "ordinary members" of the Church of Nigeria for the Communion to stay together, he believes.

That is not true. The Primates have been consulting with each other solidly since Ugandan Archbishop Henry Orombi announced he would not attend. This was followed in turn by Presiding Bishop of the Middle East Mouneer Anis. Both men resigned from the Primates Council.

There has been considerable discussion among the primates, some of which VOL has been privy. I can assure readers that an ACNA bishop has been playing shuttle diplomacy among the GAFCON primates letting them know exactly what has been going on in an effort to make sure they really do not want to attend.

The Global South archbishops believe that the time for endless talk about homosexuality and "listening" is over. They are done with it. They will not play into the shuttle diplomacy games of Archbishop Rowan Williams that are so familiar at Primates' gatherings. They want no more of it.

The Global South Anglican leaders have one concern -- the proclamation of the gospel and bringing about God's kingdom in a world torn by sexual sin, pluriform religions, Islamic persecution, poverty and much more.

Furthermore, the argument that "ordinary members" of the Church of Nigeria want the Communion to stay together belies the facts. Nothing is being said about the Communion falling apart or that there will be a two-tier communion. Global South archbishops have given no hint that they want a formal split from the See of Canterbury. Their disagreement is with Dr. Rowan Williams who will in time be replaced and they can wait him out. Boycotting the Dublin meeting is a sign that they will have nothing more to do with Lambeth Palace, liberal and revisionist archbishops and Presiding Bishops' like Jefferts Schori or Fred Hiltz (Canada). These are the real "rebel" Primates.

The Global South is simply going its own way under GAFCON with the Jerusalem Declaration in hand. What is it about this that Bishop Idowu-Fearon doesn't understand?

Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon's call to attend the Dublin meeting will fall on deaf ears.

The only question is: Will he now have to face the wrath of his new archbishop, Nicholas Okoh, as he did his predecessor? How much more demotion can he take?

END