Thinking Anglicans

threats from Nigeria

The Nation reports: Anglican Church to bishops: attend London conference at your own risk:

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) yesterday threatened to impose “serious sanctions” on any Nigerian bishop who attends the forthcoming Lambeth Conference in London.

Registrar of the church, Mr. Abraham Yisa, issued the warning following reports that a Nigerian bishop had broken ranks and would attend the conference opening in London tomorrow.

Yisa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that “Lambeth is a once-a-decade meeting of all Anglican bishops. We have not confirmed whether any Nigerian bishop is attending the Lambeth or not; we are waiting till the conference opens.

“Should any Nigeria bishop be at the Lambeth, then we cannot rule out serious sanctions against him because it would be contrary to the position of the House of Bishops”.

A source said at least one bishop “is already in London for the conference”.

The source said the bishop, a former employee of Lambeth, might be the only Nigerian attending the conference.

The source added that the bishop was absent at the just-concluded Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Jerusalem, Israel.

“The bishop had explained that he was absent from GAFCON because he submitted his travel documents late,” the source added.

Nigerian bishops led by the Primate, Archbishop Peter Akinola, said they were boycotting Lambeth because of the invitation of pro-homosexual bishops to the conference.

The bishops also decided to stay away from the conference because of the exclusion of Rev. Martyn Minns, an American, who was consecrated as a bishop by the Anglican Church of Nigeria.

Officials of the Lambeth Conference recently said 230 of the 880 bishops in the worldwide Communion were staying away from the Lambeth Conference.

The entire Anglican provinces of Uganda, Rwanda and Nigeria and at least four bishops from the Church of England are boycotting the event.

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Erika Baker
Erika Baker
16 years ago

What “serious actions” can be meant here? Are these bishops in actual danger? I hope those present at the Lambeth Conference are aware of the huge risk these people are taking and are thinking of a way to honour their integrity and courage, and to protect them.

MJ
MJ
16 years ago

So much for freedom of conscience!

Also, in addition to the two Kenyan bishops spotted so far, there may be more:

“Ten Kenyan Anglican bishops are reported to have travelled to England on the eve of the Lambeth Conference to discuss collaboration programmes with partner dioceses, despite a decision by their church to boycott the worldwide gathering in a dispute about homosexuality.” http://www.eni.ch/news/item.php?id=2089

Yet only recently Kenya declared none of their bishops would attend, such as in this report from July 11th: http://allafrica.com/stories/200807110049.html

If 10 Kenyan bishops are really at Lambeth, that’s 1/3 who have disobeyed ++Nzimbi.

3MinuteTheologian (Justin Lewis-Anthony)
16 years ago

*four* bishops from the Church of England?

I made it Rochester, Willesden and Lewes. Which is number four? (five? six?)

John Henry
John Henry
16 years ago

The Primate and Metropolitan of All Nigeria doesn’t tolerate dissent among his bishops. The defecting reasserters flocking to CANA churches in the U.S. will be in for a big surprise: Big Pete’s dictatorship–not very Anglican after all.

JCF
JCF
16 years ago

Cracks in the hivemind? (to mix metaphors!)

Robert Ian Williams
Robert Ian Williams
16 years ago

WAn’t the Bishop of Birkenhead at GAFCON?

Malcolm+
16 years ago

So, despite the “conservative” lies about poor “oppressed” folk like Packer, the only cases we have of clerics being sanctioned despite never having violated a canon are all “conservatives” sanctioning those who dissent from their absolutist agenda. – One bishop-elect rejected in Central Africa for having been a member of a “suspect” group, – One bishop deposed in Kenya for being “pro-gay,” – One bishop threatened with “serious” sanctions for breaking the Nigerian boycott, – One priest in Canada suspended for his response to a hypothetical request to solemnize a same-sex marriage. Yet, despite all the p*$$**g, moaning and whining,… Read more »

Leonardo Ricardo
16 years ago

Perhaps +Akinola will suggest a new piece of despotdriven National Legislation that prohibits the “gathering” of OPEN MINDED Bishops from the Akinolian Church of Anglican Nigeria from attending ANY meetings in the “West”…Penalty? The usual, five years in jail ought sound familar to innocent “hooligans” of ALL demonized stripes!

Wilf
Wilf
16 years ago

The Bishop of Salisbury is off sick – surely they don’t mean him?

Neil
Neil
16 years ago

I am confused. So are the Nigerian bishops. Lambeth is in London. But the conference is surely in Canterbury?!

Neil
Neil
16 years ago

Yes wilf. Recovering after a bout of ill health during on operation.

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