One of the aspects of the Anglican Communion that is potentially so uplifting and powerful is the opportunity it provides for folks, bound together by a common tradition, even if separated by particular beliefs, to come together to the table to worship together. One of the more annoying acts by the hard conservatives in the Communion has been their pointed refusal in the past few years to do this with the Godless Heathen American Episcopalian (et al.) crowd — declining to take communion with Bp Katharine Jefferts Schori (presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church), as well in some cases with others who voted to accept the election of Bp Gene Robinson (let alone, of course, letting Bp Robinson get anywhere near them, no doubt in fear of getting gay cooties).<\/p>\n
So I take fellowship very seriously. I hold to the example set by Jesus, who didn’t hang out with just people who agreed with him, or who were “orthodox.” He didn’t just break bread with the accepted crowd, even at (especially at) the Last Supper. If he could reach out and engage and simply be <\/em>with those who were sinners, those who would betray him, etc., how can someone who claims to follow him do any less?<\/p>\n But it’s hard, very hard, to consider myself in fellowship with Abp Peter Akinola, head of the (Anglican) Church of Nigeria. Last year, the Nigerian legislature was considering a bill<\/a> that would imprison Nigerian gays, and even imprison those who support gay rights. Word on the street was that Abp Akinola was strongly in favor of, and actively supporting the bill, but all sorts of feeble denials were issued that, no, that simply wasn’t true.<\/p>\n But it’s another year, and another bill<\/a>, and evidently now Abp Akinola, speaking for the Church of Nigeria, actively supports proposed legislation to criminalizes gay marriage (which is already not legal in Nigeria), as witnessed in this position paper<\/a> put forward in public hearings on the bill (to which hearings the Church actually bussed supporters).<\/p>\n Among other things, Akinola calls for those engaging in same-sex marriage (again, already illegal in Nigeria) to be thrown in prison for five years (higher than the bill currently calls for); those who witness such a marriage (or “aid and abet” it) should be imprisoned for three years; organizations involved should not be simply fined, but members thrown in jail for a year.<\/p>\n (Note that the “aid and abet” language doesn’t just mean renting out a hall for the reception; arguably, it’s a back door hunting license for action against anyone in the country who speaks out in favor of gay marriage.)<\/p>\n Akinola’s letter concludes:<\/p>\n Same sex marriage apart from being ungodly is also unscriptural, unnatural, unprofitable, unhealthy, uncultural, un-African and un-Nigerian. It is a perversion, a deviation and an aberration that is capable of engendering moral and social holocaust in this country. It is also capable of existincting [sic] mankind and as such should never be allowed to take root in Nigeria. Outlawing it is to ensure the continued existence of this nation. The need for doing this is urgent, compelling and imperative. The time is now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n For all of Abp Akinola’s fulminations about how the Episcopal Church is betraying Christianity, it strikes me that the malice, politicking, condemnation and prejudice that he displays is far less Christ-like than any questions the Episcopal Church is raising re orthodox teaching on homosexuality. <\/p>\n It’s difficult for me to consider myself out of fellowship with a fellow Anglican, given all my posturing at the top of this post. But maybe I finally understand the conservatives’ stand, if not agreeing with what’s brought them to it: it’s difficult to maintain a dialog, or come to table, with someone whose views and actions are so abhorrent to you, and who shows no sign of even wanting to discuss it.<\/p>\n The Nigerian legislation is horrible. Akinola’s hitching of the Church of Nigeria to the cause is even worse.<\/p>\n More info:<\/p>\n Thinking Anglicans: Church of Nigeria statement on legislation<\/a> \n
The Lead – A dumb, depressing document from Peter Akinola and his Church<\/a>
Anglican leader calls gay marriage “a holocaust,” says the “crime” should be punishable by five years in prison<\/a>
Akinola: Anglican Fundamentalist, Fascist, and Theocrat – Lionel Deimel’s Web Log<\/a>
PRELUDIUM: Who agrees with Akinola and the Church of Nigeria?<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"