The Episcopal Bishop of Washington, The Reverand John  Chane has written  an op/ed in Sunday’s Washington  Post   "A Gospel of Intolerance" in
which he criticises Archbishop Peter J. Akinola, primate of the Church
of Nigeria and other conservative bishops and theologians.  This group
of men form what Chane describes as "a global alliance"

who
seek to dominate the Anglican Communion and expel those who oppose
them, particularly the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of
Canada. Failing that, the archbishop and his allies have talked of
forming their own purified communion — possibly with Archbishop
Akinola at its head.

As Chane notes, the conflict
over  same sex marriage is not one that is unique  to Nigeria or
Africa. The uniqueness lies in " Nigeria law having crossed the line in
the prohibition of any "public or private activity related to
homosexuality."

"Publicity, procession and public
show of same sex amorous relationship through the electronic or print
media physically, directly, indirectly or otherwise are prohibited in
Nigeria. "Any person involved in the "sustenance, procession or meetings,
publicity and public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or
indirectly" is subject to five years’ imprisonment.

Chane points out that the support of the
this law by the Archbishop Peter Akinola and others "violates numerous
Anglican Communion documents that call for a "listening process" involving gay Christians and their leaders." as well as being in violation of the UN Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18-20).

Chane’s concern is not limited to the Anglican Bishops of Nigeria
and Africa but also to those in the United States and the "global
Christian community" who have been silent over the proposed Nigerian
law and the support of it by the Bishops.

Op/Ed link via:  Blog of Daniel

Other links to this story:  Thinking Anglicans; Political Spagetti;

Tags:  Nigeria Anglican Church LGBT