ENS: CHICAGO: Persell criticizes Akinola's anticipated visit
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
September 18, 2007

[Episcopal News Service] Bishop William Persell of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago has told diocesan clergy that Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola "did not extend the normal courtesy of contacting me about his visit" within the diocese.

The Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) congregations in Illinois have invited Akinola, primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, to celebrate the Holy Eucharist with them on September 23 at Edman Chapel at Wheaton College.

The AMiA describes itself as "a missionary movement of Rwanda committed to reaching the unchurched in North America."

In a September 14 letter to Chicago's diocesan clergy, Persell said he had no knowledge about whether Akinola had been in communication with Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori or Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams about the visit. "Amidst the highly charged political rhetoric in our nation and around the world concerning events of the Anglican Communion, I want you to know that the Diocese of Chicago has no connection with the visit of Archbishop Akinola," Persell said. the rest