Gay bishop controversy:
Church of Nigeria moves to save Nigerians in the US
By Joe Nwankwo, Abuja
Monday,
August 21, 2006
The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion will on August 20,
make history as it consecrates an English – born US
based clergy, Revd. Cannon Martyn Minns as Bishop of the convocation
of Anglicans in North America (CANA).
The Mission to America – CANA was established in April
2005, as part of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion’s
response to the lingering Crisis in the United States (US)
Anglican Churches brought about by the controversial teachings
regarding human sexuality and the bible that culminated to
the controversial ordination of an open gay priest, Gene Robinson
as a Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.
The Primate of Nigeria Anglican Communion, leader of Global
South, that is made up of Anglicans from developing nations
and chairman of Council of Anglican provinces in Africa (CAPA)
most Rev. Peter Jasper Akinola reacting to the ordination
of Martyn Minns explained that CANA was established to provide
a safe spiritual harbour for millions of Anglicans affected
by the controversial teachings of the Anglican branch in the
us formerly called the Episcopal Church of the USA (ECUSA)
now referred to as TEC, the Episcopal Church.
According to Akinola: "The Anglican Church in America
has been torn apart by the controversial ordination of an
open gay Priest, Gene Robinson as a bishop of new Hampshire
in 2003. The years following that unfortunate incident have
been traumatic for the entire Anglican Communion. The recent
decisions of TEC’s general convention held in June,
has put US Anglican Churches on a seeming disintegration and
a major re-alignment.
"Already seven dioceses in TEC depressed by the dangerous
voyage of the Episcopal church, have requested for an immediate
alternative primatial oversight and pastoral care. They include
the dioceses of Central florida, Fort Worht (Texas) Pittsburgh,
Springfield. (Illinois), san Joaquin (California) South California
and Diocese of Dallas. Indications are that many more are
itching to leave the Episcopal Church" the primate added.
Akinola who leads about 20 million of the 77 million Anglicans
worldwide pointed out that "with the establishment of
CANA in April 2005, and the sending of a missionary Bishop
to Congo in October 2005, and the commencement of a non –
geographic nomadic mission in August 2006, the power of God
is working his purpose out.
"CANA was first announced after full consultation with
the Nigerian congregations in America, with the enthusiastic
endorsement of the Episcopal Synod and standing committee
of the Church of Nigeria. The intention is not to challenge
or intervene in the Churches of Ecusa and in Anglican Church
of Canada, but rather to provide a safe harbour for those
who can no longer find their spiritual home in those churches"
he maintained.
Akinola stated that the church of Nigeria had deliberately
held back from this action (sending a bishop for CANA) until
now, because as according to him, "It hoped that the
Episcopal church of USA would heed the cry of the Anglican
Communion as expressed in the essential elements of the Windsor
report and the dromantine communique, which recommended that
the US Church halt the further election of openly gay Bishops.
"But the actions of their (ECUSA) last convention held
in June 2006 showed that they were far from turning back.
Infact, they are even more committed to pursuing their unbiblical
revisionist agenda. That is why a Bishop to America has become
inevitable you cannot serve God and Mammon," he asserted.
To be consecrated along with Revd. Minna 63 are Rector of
Truro Church, Virginia USA, Reved Canon Christian Ide, 47,
Bishop of Warri, the Vulnerable Musa Tula, 44 Bishop of Bauchi
and the very Revd. Adebayo Akide 60, Bishop of the newly created
diocese of Lagos Mainland at the National Christian Centre
Abuja.
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