[BREAKING NEWS] African churches refuse funding over gay clergy issue

cnn.com ^ | 15 April 2004 | AP Staff

[ahadams2]

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Africa's Anglican archbishops decided Thursday toreject donations from any diocese that recognizes gay clergy and refuse cooperation with any missionary that supports the idea.

Their decision at a meeting with their counterparts from Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America was the latest attack by church conservatives against the consecration of an openly gay bishop in the United States.

[ahadams2]

PING!

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

"We will not, on the altar of money, mortgage our conscience, mortgage our faith, mortgage our salvation," he said.

Prayers for this brave stand by true heroes and examples of Christ working.

[xJones]

Beautiful and faithful. They can't be bought.

[Tuco Ramirez]

Good God,

Bless the African clergy in their fight; it is our fight as well. God curse these wretches that portray themselves as victims, while mocking our Good (& Just) God. We hold them to no code beyond that you set for all of your creation; please hold them to the same accountability.

[r9etb]

Their decision at a meeting with their counterparts from Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America was the latest attack by church conservatives against the consecration of an openly gay bishop in the United States.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!!

So now "to refuse funding" is an "attack"? Oh, my....

[r9etb]

The African archbishops also recommended that the Episcopal Church USA, the American branch of the Anglican church, be disciplined and be given three months "to repent" for the consecration in August of Bishop V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, in New Hampshire.

This would be a message to the Eames Commission, as their opinion is probably that Frank Griswold's beyond listening to such calls.

If the Episcopal church is not disciplined, African Anglicans will be free to take whatever action they see fit, but breaking away from the worldwide Anglican Communion "is not an option", Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria told journalists.

Now this is an interesting comment, especially in light of the threat against the American church. Essentially, Akinola has withdrawn the gambit of using the future of the Communion as leverage. (This is probably a good thing.)

There are a number of ways to interpret it. For example, one might conclude that the Africans are going to give up the fight -- which I doubt, since in that case they wouldn't be threatening the ECUSA.

Or, more likely, they're certain that the American church will be meaninfully disciplined -- including loss of voice, vote, and even presence at Communion gatherings. In that case, the purpose of the Eames Commission would be to define the terms and limits of discipline, and also probably to "reconize" bishops and dioceses to replace those who refuse to repent.

[Between the Lines]

"We will not, on the altar of money, mortgage our conscience, mortgage our faith, mortgage our salvation,"

Amen!

[Eala]

Amen!

[NeoCaveman]

ohwow
Since Apr 16, 2004

Hello, newbie.

[Mark in the Old South]

Go traditional Catholic, Latin Rite. They are sticking to their guns. Let the others run off to the bath houses.