THE MCJ

DEAD ON ARRIVAL

To put it mildly, Peter Akinola is unimpressed by ECUSA's response to the Newry Anglican primates meeting.  For Akinola, the bottom line is that ECUSA still doesn't get it:

While the statement issued by ECUSA’s House of Bishops expressed a desire to remain in the life and mission of the Anglican Communion, I was disappointed that the only regret offered was for their failure to consult and the effect of their actions instead of an admission that what they have done has offended God and His Church. As was pointed out in the Primates Communiqué issued in February ‘the underlying reality of our communion in God the Holy Trinity is obscured, and the effectiveness of our common mission severely hindered.” ECUSA has yet to grasp this reality and still appears to be chasing shadows. Until this is recognized there can be no hope of meaningful reconciliation.

Akinola recognizes ECUSA's moratorium on the election of all bishops for the temper tantrum that it is and he doubts that ECUSA will do anything meaningful about same-sex marriage.  And he understands what ECUSA deliberately refuses to: promising that you won't sleep with your mistress for a month does not mean that you're serious about saving the marriage.

The statement answered the call for a moratorium with regard to the ordinations of non-celibate homosexuals with a pledge to withhold consent to the consecration of any bishop until 2006 – I find this response to be disingenuous since it holds the entire church to ransom for the sin of a few. While they have claimed to answer the call for moratorium on the blessing of same-sex unions we know that there are Dioceses where the clergy are still continuing the practice of blessing same-sex partnerships with the Bishops’ explicit permission. I find this duplicitous and I would point out that the underlying issue is not a temporary cessation of these practices but a decision to renounce them and demonstrate a willing embrace of the same teaching on matters of sexual morality as is generally accepted throughout the Communion and described in Lambeth Resolution 1.10.

The Nigerian Primate is rightly outraged by the left's racist claim that the Africans were manipulated by western conservatives.

With regard to the Primates meeting in Ireland I find it highly offensive to hear claims that a group of us were influenced by external forces into taking stands that we would not otherwise have taken. There is absolutely no merit to these claims and I am saddened that there are those who wish to perpetuate this malevolent falsehood. Our actions and agreements were the result of prayerful deliberation and principled conviction. The idea that orthodox Americans manipulated us is an insult – in truth we in the Global South have been challenging them to stand firm. And there were a number of us who felt that the recommendations did not go far enough but out of respect for the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury we were willing to leave space for serious reflection and genuine repentance.

Frank?  Look in the mirror when you start talking about the "devil."  Not that you'll see anything staring back at you when you do.

I was appalled by statements claiming that the devil was wandering the halls of the Dromantine Retreat Center – perhaps those who make such observations should first look within themselves before they accuse others. Many of us believe that what we achieved in our time together was due to the work of God’s Holy Spirit and to claim otherwise is blasphemous.

If the US and Canada actually send their representatives to the next Anglican Consultative Council meeting in defiance of the primates' request, Akinola feels that the game will finally be over.

I have noted with disappointment that there are those in ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada who are suggesting that these Provinces should defy the Primates’ request that they voluntarily withdraw their members from the next meetings of the Anglican Consultative Council. I would urge the appointed leadership of these Provinces to weigh seriously the consequences of such actions if indeed there is to be any hope of the reconciliation and healing that we all seek. Moreover I believe that it is an accurate sense of our meeting to say that the Primates do not expect ECUSA and the Canadian church to participate in ANY of the structures of the Communion until they have chosen to respect the mind of the Communion. Until they decide to return - something for which we earnestly pray – the sad truth is that they have walked away from the Communion.

As for the issue of diocesan boundary crossing, Akinola recognizes it for the spurious evasion that it is.

Finally, I need to address the important matter of provincial and diocesan boundaries. As I have repeatedly reaffirmed maintaining good order is important for the work of the Gospel but it can never be used to silence those who are standing for the Faith and resisting doctrinal error. It was our common understanding in Newry that the extraordinary pastoral relationships and initiatives now underway would be maintained until this crisis is resolved. If, however, the measures proposed in our Communiqué to protect the legitimate needs of groups in serious theological disputes prove to be ineffectual, and if acts of oppression against those who seek to uphold our common faith persist, then we will have no choice but to offer safe harbour for those in distress.

For Peter Akinola, those are not just words.

After much prayer and careful discernment with appropriate colleagues and advisors over the last two years, and in full consultation with the Nigerian congregations in America, together with the enthusiastic endorsement of the Episcopal Synod and the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) we announce the formation of the Convocation of Anglican Nigerian Churches in America.

This Convocation will function as a ministry of the Church of Nigeria in America. Our intention is not to challenge or intervene in the churches of ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada but rather to provide safe harbour for those who can no longer find their spiritual home in those churches. While it will initially operate under our Constitution and Canons, it will have its own legal and ecclesial structure and local suffragan episcopate. I will be asking the next General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, which will meet in September 2005, to make the necessary constitutional amendments.

During the intervening months, in cooperation with our friends in the Anglican Communion Network, I will be appointing episcopal visitors from among already consecrated bishops to provide pastoral and episcopal oversight for those congregations already in operation and in formation. I am excited by the possibilities before us and look forward to seeing this ministry grow.

If Francis Arinze is elected to the Chair of St. Peter, I'm not sure Nigeria could stand the shock.  For it would mean that the two most important forces in worldwide Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, would, for all practical purposes, both be headed by Nigerians.  Arinze, of course, would be the next leader of billions of Roman Catholics and Peter Akinola is rapidly becoming Archbishop of Canterbury in all but name. 

No one cares what Rowan Williams says or does about anything but Akinola's words are important and not just in Nigeria.  Should push come to shove, most conservative Anglicans would enthusiastically transfer allegiance to Abuja and consign Canterbury to the ash heap of history.  When one adds the fact that both men are staunch defenders of orthodox Christianity, the election of Francis Arinze and the continued increase in influence of Peter Akinola would be a blow from which western liberal Christianity might never recover.

Posted on 4/8/2005 3:35:14 PM , 20 comments