An introduction to the Anglican "Global South"
The conservative primates, most notable ++Akinola of Nigeria, have regularly referred to Lambeth 1998 1.10, a specific resolution passed by the Lambeth conference (of all bishops within the communion) in 1998 which states that 1) (homosexuals) are loved by God and that all baptized, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ 2) the church resolves to listen to the experience of homosexual persons and 3) homosexual practice is incompatable with scripture. Of course, while the American conservatives have tried to take the more nuanced, love the sinner/hate the sin stance, the African primates have been far more intolerant, focusing exclusively on the third point of the Lambeth resolution. The dynamic of the relationship between western conservatives and the Global South Primates (GSP) is significant. The American conservative minority lead by Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, long affiated with the American Anglican Counsel (AAC) and their (unofficial) parent organization the Institute for Religion and Democracy (IRD) continue to put internal pressure on the Episcopal Church's general convention while the GSP put pressure on the Archbishop of Canterbury to disassociate with the Episcopal Church. At the same time, the AAC (working through their sister organization, the Network of Anglican Communion Diocese and Parishes) have been recruiting parishes to abandon the Episcopal Church. Many of those parishes which have done so have affiliated with a foreign bishop and diocese. Bishop Chane brings us up to date on Nigeria's tolerance and the gay issue: ...Archbishop Peter J. Akinola, primate of the Church of Nigeria and leader of the conservative wing of the communion, recently threw his prestige and resources behind a new law that criminalizes same-sex marriage in his country and denies gay citizens the freedoms to assemble and petition their government. The law also infringes upon press and religious freedom by authorizing Nigeria's government to prosecute newspapers that publicize same-sex associations and religious organizations that permit same-sex unions...
Not exactly a "love the sinner/hate the sin" attitude. Father Mark Harris has more on his blog, Preludium:
Father Harris' blog is an excellent resource for commentary on these issues and would serve as an excellent primer for any interested in the larger story. Update: Additionally, as Fr. Jake notes in comments to the IRD story on the main page, he has discussed these issues as well here and here. Update 2: Thinking Anglicans has a response to Bishop Chane
Silent as to the status of private gay clubs, huh? Let's take a look at paragraph 7.3 of the legislation: 7.(3) Any person who is involved in the registration of gay clubs, societies and organizations, sustenance, procession or meetings, publicity and public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly in public and in private is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a term of 5 years imprisonment. (hat tip to Tobias Haller in comments at Thinking Anglicans)
An introduction to the Anglican "Global South" | 21 comments (21 topical, 0 hidden)
An introduction to the Anglican "Global South" | 21 comments (21 topical, 0 hidden)
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