IRELAND: Nigeria and the Anglican Communion
Setting the standard for all faithful Anglicans in a new realignment of the Communion
REFORM IRELAND

The recent statement of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, defining itself and its relationship with other Anglican churches, on the basis of a common faith and doctrine, is not only to be heartily welcomed, but should be the standard for all faithful Anglican churches and ministers in a new realignment within the Anglican Communion.

The Church of Nigeria has defined itself as being in full communion with all Anglican churches, Diocese, and Provinces that hold and maintain the Historic Faith, Doctrine, Sacrament and Discipline of the one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, as the Lord has commanded in His holy word and as the same are received as taught in the Book of Common Prayer and the ordinal of 1662 and in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion'.

With the Church of England drifting inexorably towards official acceptance of homosexual lifestyles, (as evidenced recently by the House of Bishops' Pastoral Letter regarding civil partnerships), the Church of Nigeria has correctly identified that interrelationships between Anglican churches and between Anglican Provinces ought always to be shaped by the Gospel. This is indeed the theological position of the Articles, the BCP and the Ordinal of 1662. It is the Word of God that governs what Anglicans believe and how they witness to the world. Therefore, even though the relationship to Canterbury has been long and close, if the Gospel is undermined by the Church of England (or any other Anglican Province), then it is time to insist on Scripture as the chief basis for an ongoing relationship.

The rest at Virtueonline