Prayers of thanks that the UK government has acted compassionately. God knows, without some "third party" intervention, Davis would literally had no safe place to dwell.

Mind you, he and his friends should not be too complacent, but then neither should they live out their lives in fear.

Once again, we are seeing righteousness being made manifest in the forms of justice for the alien and outcaste.

Praise and thanks to God and all those who acted compassionately in these circumstances.

Some of he comments on Ruth's blog follow the Anglican.nig party line closely.

Disgusting, but they only denigrate themselves.

The defamatory statement by the Church of Nigeria about David MacIyala, shows just how homophobia is institutionalised in that Church. This just demonstrates how desperate Archbishop Akinola is to demonise gays in his country - having gone on record as supporting their criminalisation and imprisonment by the Nigerian government.

Is this the sort of attitude we want to support in a new Covenantal relationship as Anglicans? I pray that the Lambeth Bishops will repudiate any attempt to support such anti-Gospel behaviour

And what does this tell us about both Nigeria and the Nigerian church?

And there are people who still wish to be in communion with this organisation? Why?

I would welcome him to preach the Gospel here.

So a secular government, one criticized by conservatives for being anti-Christian and actually persecuting Christians, acts to protect a human being against people who threaten his life, among whom are prominent Christian bishops, who themselves claim persecution by those who defend the man they are persecuting. Wow! What a witness to the Gospel. And I wonder how many conservatives want to accuse me of distortion because +Akinola and others have not ACTUALLY called for Davis to be killed, as if the only way to threaten someone's life is to call for his death. Again, what a witness to the Gospel!

Yes, the comments on Ruth's site are pretty awful, even by the usual standards of the so-called "orthodox."

I have an increasingly hard time recognizing these hateful people as Christian at all, much less Anglican.

Yes if we want to hear an authentic cultural voice, those blog comments will do for a start. All the way to the top, i.e., Akinola's comments, too.

Alas. Lord have mercy. Another clue that Deng Bul's wish for everything to go back = silence, invisibility, cover ups of the closeted life for queer folks - is wishful Anglican thinking indeed.

So, in current Lambeth/Anglican rule making, one is bullied and doomed in traditional Anglican preachments until/unless one actually gets hit in the face and receives death threats from people who happen to take those preachments too literally or too seriously; then one is graciously protected by government and human rights, though not by church - all in the name of this God who loves you through this strangely fractured theology and ethics.

Ford, it is the same thing we in the U.S. where saying a few years ago when a newly elected/ appointed "born-again" president was bashing gays, gunning for a war and wrapping himself in the flag.

It is the same thing when one of the regular contributers to this blogsite make claims against the people of a another country, who have taken many of the Iraqi refugees that my country has displaced and call the host country unChristian because of some foggy claims on it's citizens' church attendance.

It shows how very far Christianity is from Christ.

Bishop Tunde Popoola initiated the persecution of Davis Mac-Iyalla in Nigeria by the Disclaimer he issued in December 2005. We asked him repeatedly to substantiate the allegations, which we believed to be false, and which the evidence supplied by Davis proved were false http://www.changingattitude.org.uk/news/newsitem.asp?id=9. Tunde has never provided a single piece of evidence.

I also aksed Bishop Martyn Minns to request the then Canon Tunde to remove the Disclaimer and cease attacking Davis. The Disclaimer is still on the Church web site. Two bishops have thus colluded in perpetuating lies and falsehood against another Anglican Christian - because he is gay.

On other blogs, conservatives still refuse to believe that Davis Mac-Iyalla has told the truth. Davis's wound from the knife attack on him in Togo two month's ago is still vividly present. The attack was witnessed by many people. The Togolese police report is on the CA web site http://www.changingattitude.org.uk/news/newsitem.asp?id=355

The extreme conservatives lie about other Christians. They refuse to believe the evidence and witness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender African Christians. They commit sin against other Christians by denigrating them and provoking prejudice, and physical violence.

This week in Canterbury, the bishops, spouses, and many, many other people associated with the Communion, faithful Christians all, have been working together with deep commitment to take the work of mission and evangelism forward, witnessing to the amazing love and goodness of God for all creation made manifest in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Davis Mac-Iyalla is included among their number.

Dodgey_vicar,
if you're serious, Davis' contact details are on the Changing Attitude website.

From the base point of view of Anglican politics, this is a GOOD THING because it will force silly authoritarians like Tom Wright to think seriously about the position of the C of E within the UK.

"And there are people who still wish to be in communion with this organisation? Why?"

Because they are fellow human beings, and fellow Christians, in need of our love and prayers? Because there's more kinds of oppression in the world than what we Western gay people experience, and in many places it's a lot more raw, and we are called to minister to those things without making sure our own wants are covered first? Because there is still, essentially, theft of Nigeria's resources by Western governments, and that creates animosity in them towards us that our love and tolerance might remedy? Because many of them exist in areas where they are hated and mistrusted by people who use our freedom as a focus for their pre-existing hatred? My God, we gay people know more than most Westerners what it is to fear an unruly mob coming at us with clubs ravenous for our blood. They have the same fear, and they see us as giving those who would harm them something to hang their murderous venom on. It isn't all about us, or you, or your anger at a Church you feel has oppressed you. Or perhaps we should stay in communion with them because a selfless gay person putting their needs and sufferings ahead of his own is a far better witness to the Gospel than they get from their own leaders. We don't have to condone anything they do against us, Mike, but we still have to recognize they are fallen human beings just like we are, and we can't just write them off. None of these things are negated just because their leaders have a murderous ignorance towards people like Davis Mac-Iyalla.

I also offer up praise and thanks that the British Government expeditiously offered David MacIyala asylum, though I am saddened that he now has to continue his work on behalf of GLBT Christians and others in Nigeria as a stranger in a strange land.
I echo Father Ron Smith: Is this part of the "consensus" Lambeth wants to build? Part of the Covenant? I sing in the choir and otherwise participate in a TEC church. Nobody there wants to impose American values on Nigeria or its people. By the same token, why can't Primate Akinola and like-minded folks allow TEC to proceed as she perceives God and the Gospel to be leading her?
If all the so-called "liberal" TEC bishops had stayed home does anyone really believe that would have satisfied +Akinola and the others? No.
After gays and lesbians, who's next? Women?

The extreme conservatives lie about other Christians. They refuse to believe the evidence and witness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender African Christians. They commit sin against other Christians by denigrating them and provoking prejudice...

Slightly off the point but an accurate portrayal of how people like Giles Fraser and Inclusive Church treat opponents of womens ordination...even MORE than accurate...it is SPOT ON!!!

Yeah Neil, we even physically attack, knife and beat opponents of women's ordination.

I'll believe that when I see one of them seeking asylum in Nigeria, or some such GAFCON province.

They denigrate themselves with their continual mis-interpretation and misrepresentation of Christ and scripture to feed their insecurities and bigotry. Plain and simple.

The only sad thing about this , is that Nigeria is the scam centre of Africa... and its people desperate to get out. So now, to get asylum , you just pretend to be gay and persdecuted and don't bother with the back of a Calais lorry.

In the end it could have a worse effect on UK opinion.

RIW
Although I don't always agree with your views I have come to respect your integrity here on TA.

I sincerely hope your last comment was not intended to imply that Davis has made up his story and hoodwinked the Home Office into granting him asylum.

Long term subscribers to TA have witnessed and are still witnessing the slander and attacks being made against Davis and members of his family and friends.

That allegations from several years ago could still be linked at the beginning of this thread proves the character assassination has not stopped.

Davis may or may not be pretending to be gay, but the fact that he is persecuted has been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

Anyone who purports otherwise has simply not followed the audit trail, or thought they could whitewash and pretend it never existed.

Thank God he will be safer, though I'm afraid even in the UK he won't be safe.

And I also share the hope expressed above that this will increase pressure on conservatives to realize the extreme danger many (most? all?) African gays are in and to realize their responsibility to speak up loudly for their safety. It's one thing to oppose ordination of gays to the priesthood or episcopate; it's totally another to stand idly by as people are outright persecuted for their sexuality and treated as little better than animals.

It seems that Robert Ian Williams has a hidden agenda with his remark (above) about the circumstances of Davis McIyala's being granted asylum by the British Government. Does he really believe that Davis was pretending to be gay, just to achieve that end? If so, I think he has entirely misread all of the other positings on this thread. Does he really think the British Government could be so easily persuaded to offer asylum on the basis of a lie?

Congrats Davis. Long time TA readers might remember you denied it when I suggusted asylum might be your goal a long time ago. CONGRATS! I continue to pray for you. +Tunde

No Erika, i believe David is genuine, but an Asylum policy which has integrity and fairness for all concerned , must be watchful.

Bishop Tunde Popoola breaks cover again to congratulate Davis. He doesn't apologise to Davis, he doesn't withdraw his false allegations against him, but crows that he predicted long ago what Davis would do in terms of seeking asylum.

Davis has talked with me about asylum many times in the nearly three years since Tunde first posted his attack on Davis.

When Davis first visited the USA in June 2007, he was put under great pressure to seek asylum there and not return to Africa. Some of his American friends couldn't understand why he didn't take the opportunity offered to him. Davis discussed it with me and other friends, and was determined to fulful his commitments to the speaking tour in the USA, and to come to England to address a General Synod fringe meeting and Changing Attitude groups. He returned to Togo, despite the fact that Tunde's lies were already creating threats to Davis's life. Davis visited the UK again to participate in the Inclusive Church Conference 'Drenched in Grace' and again returned to Togo. This is proof of Tunde's lie. Davis did not come to the UK to seek asylum. He came to witness to the work of Changing Attitude Nigeria.

When Davis came to the UK two months ago, he came at that moment to be safe following the attack on him in Lome. He had no intention of seeking asylum at that moment. He knew perfectly well that UK asylum seekers are expected to claim asylum on entering the country. Not to do so would make a later claim problematic.

It was the attack on Stephen Wariebi in Port Harcourt followed by repeated death threats issued to Davis and myself that raised his fears to a new level and made him reconsider his ability to return to Togo. He consulated widely and finally decided to take the step of seeking asylum here. Initially he was detained and put on the fast track process. Investigation of his case by the UK Government quickly showed that his life would be at serious risk were he to be deported to Nigeria.

Tunde is one of the chief culprits for having put the life of Davis and other LGBT Nigerians at risk. He is now a bishop in the Church of Nigeria. His behaviour as a bishop is scandalous.

Do we see here again 1) Smear from Tunde 2) Fear (co-dependency to the opposition to Asylum of the BNP and others).

To grant Asylum to the persecuted is a sign of Civilsation.

In the Middle Ages church-doors used to be painted r e d for this (and to guide those needful).

RIW
"but an Asylum policy which has integrity and fairness for all concerned , must be watchful"

It is, Robert Ian, it is.
If there are floodgates it is only because the persecution of 2-8% of African people by their own government and church is only too real.

And whatever Tunde might claim, Davis would have much prefered to stay in Togo, indeed stayed there even after he was discovered and started to receive credible death threats that the Togan police took very seriously.
Only when they finally attacked and injured him in broad daylight did he realise just how untenable his situation was becoming.

And, Tunde, before you congratulate Davis for finally finding safety, could you explain again why you did absolutely nothing to help him and to reduce the danger he was in?

Robert: it is, very watchful. I was a chaplain in a detention centre for asylum seekers and illegal immigrants: it is incredibly difficult for gay asylum seekers to get proof.

If you flee a developing country because, say, the gay bar you were in got raided by the police and you had to run out the back door and away as fast as you could; or if the police arrest you for being gay, take you to the station and beat you up, then you escape through a window and run for your life; then you have to get across a desert and a sea; you don't necessarily have much documentation with you when you finally arrive in the UK. These are real stories: these things happen, and we should show survivors and escapees like these the warmest of welcomes, surely.

"And, Tunde, before you congratulate Davis for finally finding safety, could you explain again why you did absolutely nothing to help him and to reduce the danger he was in?"

An excellent question. I'd like to see a cogent answer.

I am very glad that asylum has been granted in this case, but as a lawyer who does some asylum cases, I think this is testimony to the ability of the C of E hierarchy to pull strings on MacIyalla's behalf rather than to the seriousness of his case. I do not doubt that his case is indeed serious, but other activists in this area with equally strong cases have not been so fortunate. The Labour Government is currently arguing in various cases that a ten-year prison sentence for homosexuality is "not disproprotionate" (take a moment to digest that), that gay people facing the death penalty can reasonably be expected to avoid it by "being discreet" (i.e. closeted), and that they can legitimately return refugees to face both of those situations.

"I think this is testimony to the ability of the C of E hierarchy to pull strings on MacIyalla's behalf rather than to the seriousness of his case"

If only!
I do think you overestimate the influence of the gay groups within the CoE, who were the only ones considering this case worthy enough of getting involved in.

I don't know what your professional code allows, but you might wish to get in touch with Davis' lawyers. Maybe they can give you some idea of how they handle asylum cases, it could be that they're just very experienced in their field.
The alternative is that Davis had a very genuine case. Having already been attacked and having the scars to prove it, he also has the high international and national profile and visibility that makes returning to Nigeria and living discretely an absolute impossibility.

Sadly for other gay asylum seekers it does seem to require that that level of visibility before this country will help them. I agree with you that this is shameful. But looking at Davis' history, I cannot blame anyone for not taking the same risks by coming out!