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Nigerian Prelate: U.S. Anglican Church May Have to Leave over Homosexuality

Says North American Anglican leaders "seem to have concluded that the Bible is no longer authoritative"

By Elizabeth O'Brien

ABUJA, Nigeria, August 27,2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Archbishop Peter Akinola, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, released a statement indicating that traditional conservative Anglicans may have to part ways with the liberal American Church over the issue of homosexuality.

Referring to the U.S. Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada's move to accept same-sex "marriage," he stated, as reported in the Christian Post, "Their intention is clear; they have chosen to walk away from the biblically-based path we once all walked together." 

Clearly indicating that faithful conservative Anglicans cannot accept a position that directly contradicts the teaching of the Bible, Akinola stated, "The moment of decision is almost upon us."

"We earnestly desire the healing of our beloved communion but not at the cost of rewriting the Bible to accommodate the latest cultural trend," he said. "We cannot turn away from the source of life and love for a temporary truce."

He stated that North American Anglican leaders "seem to have concluded that the Bible is no longer authoritative in many areas of human experience in salvation and sexuality."

"They claim to have 'progressed' beyond the clear teaching of the Scriptures and that they have not hidden their intention to lead others to these same conclusions." He continued, "They have even boasted that they are years ahead of others in fully understanding the truth of the Holy Scriptures and the nature of God's love."

 "The first road, the one that follows the path of compromise by the Episcopal Church, U.S.A, and the Anglican Church of Canada, is one that we simply cannot take because the cost is too high," he said, as reported in Tide News. "The other road is the only one that we can embrace. It is not an easy road because it demands obedience and faithfulness."It requires a renewed commitment to historic Biblical faith," he added.

"For those who have walked away from the second commitment, especially the Episcopal Church, U.S.A. and the Anglican Church of Canada, it requires repentance and a reversal of current unscriptural policies," Akinola said.

In 2003 the U.S. Episcopalian Church deepened a growing split within the Anglican Church by consecrating the first actively gay bishop, Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire. At a meeting next month, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, will meet with the U.S. Episcopalian Bishops in New Orleans, the Associated Press reports.

The U.S. Episcopalian Bishops must formally agree by September 30 not to consecrate another openly gay bishop, or they could lose their full membership, thereby, causing an official schism in the Anglican Church.

Read previous LifeSiteNews coverage:

Anglican Hierarchy ~ US Anglicans Have Seven Months to Shape up or Ship Out http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/feb/07022007.html

Nigerian Prelate Calls for Suspension of Church of England from Worldwide Anglican Communion http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/aug/05081501.html

Anglican Church Splits over Consecration of Active Homosexual as Bishop http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/nov/03110404.html

US Episcopal Church: We'll Leave Anglican Communion Before Homosexuality
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/mar/07032303.html

Archbishop of Canterbury Fears Coming Anglican Schism over Homosexuality
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jan/07010904.html

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