Canada could play a key role as divided Anglican bishops meet
Nigeria leads way as conservatives threaten split over gay, women's rights
Feb 12, 2007
Stuart Laidlaw
Faith and Ethics Reporter

Spurred on by the outspoken bishop of Nigeria as his continent grows in influence within the church, the conservative wing of the Anglican Church is openly threatening schism over gay rights as a pivotal meeting of bishops from around the world opens this week.

"Africa is finding its feet and realizing that numerically they are now the majority of Anglicans," Canadian primate Andrew Hutchison, who left yesterday for the meeting, told the Star.

"They want to be heard."

Conservatives have taken on new strength in the church as membership dwindles in developed countries but grows in Third World diocese such as Africa, Hutchison says.

Bishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria has emerged as their leader, forging alliances between developing country Anglicans and conservatives in industrialized nations, particularly the U.S., who also oppose ordination of gay priests, recognition of gay marriage and the choice of a woman to head the U.S. church. the rest