On the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) pages we can also find news reports from the CofN reaffirming their position concerning the legislation and their opposition to gay marriage, gay sex, gay anything. From HERE.
"the fellowship of Christian patriots in collaboration with Christian association of Nigeria (CAN) and the church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) flagged off the service of stand up for Jesus Festival of praise and thanksgiving held at the National Christian Centre Abuja on Saturday.
It brought to the fore the war against homosexualism, lesbianism and same sex marriage being waged by the church lead by the primate of all Nigeria Anglican communion Most Rev Peter Akinola, At the service the fight against union of same sex received a boost following a unanimous support pledged by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and well meaning Nigerians."
and HERE, from a lecture delivered on homosexuality this past month.
"While American and Canadian Churches openly ordained gay clergy and blessed same-sex unions in September 2006. The Church of Nigeria headed by Archbishop Akinola issued a statement to the Nation commending the law-makers for their prompt reaction to outlaw same-sex relationships in Nigeria and calls for the bill to be passed since the idea expressed in the bill is the moral position of Nigerians regarding same-sex relationships."
later in the report of that lecture and discussion:
"Rev. Father George Ehusani, a former Treasurer of CAN said homosexuality as inherently disordered and that as far as Christian Religion is concerned it is a CRIME because instead of promoting the family it destroys it. He said Christians and Pastoral leaders have the primary responsibility of leading Homos from hell to heaven and bring them to sanity.
The Rt. Rev. Duke Akamisoko in his contribution suggested that political leaders and political office holders must be screened and investigated during electioneering to be sure that they have no leaning with homosexuality and lesbianism. He quoted copiously from the Bible to support his stand that homosexuality should not be condoned but punished severely.
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Olukunle Ajani said we should not shy away from the fact that homosexuality are living with the society hence all instruments should be employed to fight the scourge like HIV/AIDS and cultism.
It was the considered opinion of the generality of people gathered that pragmatic efforts should be made to teach and sensitize children from kindergartner to tertiary institutions and most importantly the Legislatures must take a definite stand to pass the Homosexuality Bill before it. "
"While rounding up the programme, the Primate of all Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola said the Homosexual problem is not peculiar to Anglicans or Christians alone, according to him, it is a global human problem, he said all hands should be on deck to teach and sensitize people on what evil same-sex union has brought to mankind."
At the close of the report on this conference the most telling comment was this, made by Archbishop Akinola:
"Primate Akinola raised a poser, and warned the National Assembly and the government not to succumb to serious pressures being mounted in the name of civil and human rights. He said that as long as Nigeria does not have the right to order England or the West on what to do likewise America has no right to tell us how to live in Nigeria."
My sense is the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is using the anti-gay legislation and fanning anti-gay hatred and fear as a means of distraction. If they roar about this then perhaps no one will notice that they have failed in other efforts.
In any case, the Church of Nigeria is indeed ramping up the anti-gay rhetoric. The jack boots are sounding in the streets and they are sounding the alarm. The Taliban ain't the only show in town.
I decided to post about this into Fulcrum, even as an outsider to its creed. This matter is very serious, and really why now an alternative model has to be realised in Western Churches to be a hope for gays and lesbians in Nigeria. You don't show "patience" to jackboots, and if the Archbishop of Canterbury defines ethics recently as how you behave to the least, then this creation of a victimised least has to be recognised. Also if the said A of C comes to the TEC General Convention to try and save his bureaucratic dreams, let him be reminded about what constitutes ethical behaviour and get on with producing an ethical Church.
ReplyDeleteThe whole country seems to be whipped up into an anti-gay frenzy. Evidently, the new version of the Nigerian anti-same sex marriage law defines any same sex couple living under the same roof as "married" and subject to criminal penalties.
ReplyDeletePlease read this: Nigerian Bill Defines Gay Roommates as "Married," Inflicts Prison Penalty
In addition to defining two gay people cohabiting as a "gay marriage," the proposed law also provides a five-year prison penalty for anyone who "witnesses, abet[s] and aids the solemnization" of a ceremony in which a same-sex couple profess their devotion and commitment, the BBC reported.
Beyond the letter of the law, one can certainly see how this can be abused. Any two people of the same gender can be labelled gay and sent to prison. What a perfect way to extort political opponents and ethnic and religious minorities.
Does any of this smack of Germany in the 1930s?
ReplyDeleteIt brought to the fore the war against homosexualism, lesbianism and same sex marriage being waged by the church lead by the primate of all Nigeria Anglican communion Most Rev Peter Akinola
ReplyDelete"War against homosexualism (sic)?" War is strong language indeed, and certainly quite accurate. Of course, we must realize that this "war" is a diversionary tactic or at least part of the shoring up of power by the Primate of All Nigeria. So, a couple of key questions: diversion from what? and what are the threats to Akinola's power?
It would be unfair to paint the whole of the Church of Nigeria with Akinola's brush. It is clear that, notwithstanding his claims, he speaks in the main for himself and his American handlers, and not for the Church of Nigeria. It is Akinola who needs to be marginalized in the Communion, and not the whole Church of Nigeria. We just don't know the true state of affairs on the ground, given that Akinola is the one providing the lens through which we see the CofN.