Posted on 08/07/2003 5:58:58 AM PDT by Credo
8/06/03
Statement from Archbishop Akinola on the Election of Gene Robinson
"The confirmation of Gene Robinson's election by the House of Bishops (ECUSA), as the first actively gay bishop has brought much sadness and disappointment to us in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
We are astonished that such a high level convention of ECUSA should conspire to turn their back on the clear teaching of the Bible on the matter of human sexuality. Even more shocking is the violation of their own constitution in which they claim to be in fellowship with churches "upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer." Yet at the time of testing, this has proved to be, for the present generation, no more than mere rhetoric. They have chosen the path of deviation from the "historic faith" once delivered to the saints.
Our position on this matter is already well known. We have taken this position prayerfully, being aware of the pain this will bring to all who understand the price some have had to pay to preserve the faith of our fathers. But more than our human pain is the anguish this must bring to the heart of the Lord of the Church and the setback to our witness as a Church before the watching world.
We applaud the admirable integrity and loyalty of those gallant 45 Bishops of ECUSA who have refused to succumb to the pressure for compromise. In the language of the Bible, they have refused to bow their knees to baal. We assure them, and all the faithful within ECUSA, of our unflinching solidarity and fullest cooperation. We shall continue to be in full communion with them and we will do all that is necessary to actualise this bond in practical terms.
As for ECUSA, the present development compels us to begin to think of the nature of our future relationship, which would be determined after the ongoing consultation with other Provinces and Primates.
Nevertheless, as things stand, a clear choice has been made for a Church that exists primarily in allegiance to the unbiblical departures and waywardness of our generation; a Church that enthrones the will of men over and above the authority of God and His revealed and written Word. Such a Church is bound to become a shrine for the worship of men rather than God. We cannot go on limping between two opinions.
May the Lord, who has promised to build His Church so that the gates of hell will not prevail against it, bless His Church in this dark hour.
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Most Revd Peter J. Akinola, DD. Primate of All Nigeria. |
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Actually I keep hearing the strains of Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" whenever I see his picture.
Believe it or not, that's his real name. Reminds me of "A Boy Named Sue".
Bravo, Archbishop Akinola, for recognizing these brave individuals who stood their ground, in the face of adversity.
I am not familiar with how the Episcopal / Anglican church is set up but have followed this story all week. There was mention that the Nigerian Communion might break away from ECUSA. How do the 45 US bishops mentioned, align themselves with the Nigerian Communion? (Apologies if my terminology is incorrect.)
They would (collectively or individually) ask to be received into the Nigerian province. Their parishes (assuming they came along with the bishop) would become parishes of the Nigerian province. There are already several Anglican parishes in the US who have done this with an Indonesian province, but it has not happened at the episcopal level.
It's a drastic step to take and it will be ineresting to see what people do and how they react. A similar scenario was played out over 25 years ago when priestesses were approved. Many talked of leaving but few did. This time may be different as the more traditional provinces within the Anglican Communion appear to be ready to tell ECUSA goodbye. I would not expect anything to happen rapidly. This will play out over a period of months, not days or weeks.
I've talked to a few lawyer types who know canon and church law and basically ECUSA property belongs to the dioceses not the national church. Now a faithful diocesan couldn't just yank his diocese away - he would have to have approval from his council or convention. Southern VA is an example where this could be an issue. Bane, the diocesan, voted against Mrs. Robinson. His deputation unanimously voted for it. There's a sizeable # of evangelical/traditional parishes in his diocese who are just up in arms. What do they do?
The Church Pension Fund is a separate matter entirely. My understanding is that clergy and staff are vested after 5 years, so you can bolt the denomination after 5 years and keep what's put in there for you.
Ideally the property shouldn't matter, but it will.
Stuff can be replaced ... lives cannot. Better, as you said, to take up the Cross of Christ and follow it than the road to perdition.
From the Book of Matthew ...
22 You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end 10 will be saved.
23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 11
“Christians are part of the Body of Christ by virtue of their baptism, and all of the baptized are eligible to be called to ordination.
Bullshit. There are things I have done that would definitely disqualify me for ordination (even if I believed in the ordination of women, which I do not), let alone elevation to bishop.
The difference between me and this so-called bishop is that I would never insist that the bad things I've done be called good things.
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