The Nigerian Archbishop, Peter Akinola said that he viewed the head of the American Episcopal Church as an advocate for gays and lesbians, and therefore he no longer could put his absolute trust in him.
The African bishops comments were released just two weeks before a panel – The Lambeth Commission – is due to release its report on whether the Church could bridge its divide over homosexuality.
The homosexuality issue in the Church has been of grave concern for the Anglican Communion and the indecision thus-far in the issue has caused confusion among the 77-million member Communion.
Akinola also pointed out his dismay at the Episcopal Church, the US province of the Anglican Communion. He said, “The Church worldwide today is no longer what it used to be. Now (the Episcopal Church) has intentionally and deliberately given up the faith.”
As head of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Akinola has the responsibility of representing one of the fastest-growing Anglican provinces, holding in excess of 17 million members. The Archbishop also is chairman of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa, consisting of more than 37 million believers, and has surfaced as a voice to lead the conservative Anglicans throughout the world.
However, the head of the Episcopal Church, Frank Griswold has repeatedly put forward the position that as the Anglican Communion possesses a democratic nature in electing its bishops by popular vote, so therefore he could do nothing unilaterally to stop last year’s consecration of gay bishop Gene Robinson.
Akinola rejected this excuse from Griswold and said that Bishop Griswold, who in fact led Robinson’s consecration ceremony, could have put into greater use the power given to his office, and along with prayer could have persuaded many Episcopalians to alter their positions.
“Instead he (Griswold) is the promoter of this whole agenda,” said Akinola. “It is the Church leaders who are supposed to be lead is in righteousness.”
In just under two weeks now, a panel of Anglican leaders named “The Lambeth Commission” is due to release its report on the issue. The highly-anticipated report will be released in London on October 18th. Many Anglican conservative archbishops, including Akinola, have demanded that the Commission advise for disciplinary action to be taken against the liberal Episcopal Church.