As controversies trail the last week’s decision of the Church of
England to reverse its decision prohibiting gay clergy in civil
partnerships becoming Bishops, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican
Communion has threatened to break away from the larger entity.
Arising from its 2013 annual retreat, held at the Ibru Centre,
Agbarha Otor, Delta State, the Bishops of the Church of Nigeria
(Anglican Communion) said they heard with dismay, the news of the recent action of the Church of England House of Bishops.
In a swift reaction to the development, the Primate, Church of Nigeria, the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh said the decision to permit homosexual clergy in civil partnerships to now be considered for the episcopacy is a step removed from the moral precipice that have already been witnessed in The Episcopal Church (USA) and the Anglican Church of Canada.
According to a resolution reached at the end of its 2013 annual retreat at the Ibru Centre, Agbarha Otor, Delta State, the Bishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) expressed their
dismay over the news of the recent action of the Church of England House of Bishops.
“We urge the House of Bishops to reconsider their decision so as to allow for a full, prayerful and sober reflection on the call on all
clergy, especially bishops, to live holy lives and not encourage what are, at best, morally ambiguous partnerships that make it impossible for a bishop to be a wholesome example to the flock. Especially, since the supposed assurances of celibacy, while perhaps well intentioned, are both unworkable and unenforceable.” The Bishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) noted in the resolution.
Last announcement from the Church of England House of Bishops said they would allow gay clergy to become bishops if they promise to be celibate while the issue has remained contentious in the church since 2003 amid disagreements over gay cleric Jeffrey John becoming Bishop of Reading.###
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