Archbishop Of Nigeria Battles For 'Faithful Church' Against Pressure To Compromise On Gays

November 1, 2016
Ruth Gledhill

The evangelical Archbishop who heads the Anglican church's most conservative wing has condemned the inclusion of one of the most liberal bishops in a delegation to meet the Pope.
He has also spoken of the growing pressure to "compromise" on the gay issue, which he describes as most intense in the Church of England.

Archbishop of Nigeria Nicholas Okoh, chairman of the conservative Global South grouping GAFCON, says in his latest newsletter that he was "deeply disturbed" that the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church (TEC) had gone with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to Rome.

Earlier this year, TEC was penalised by Anglican primates for its liberal stance over same-sex marriage and gay clergy.

The church was told it must face the "consequences" of its actions. 
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The primates said TEC should "no longer represent us on ecumenical and interfaith bodies, should not be appointed or elected to an internal standing committee and that while participating in the internal bodies of the Anglican Communion, they will not take part in decision making on any issues pertaining to doctrine or polity."

Archbishop Okoh writes: "Many of us were therefore deeply disturbed that the Presiding Bishop of the American Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, was a prominent member of the Archbishop of Canterbury's delegation in Rome, despite the fact that the Canterbury meeting of Primates in January this year had resolved that, among other things, TEC should not be involved in representing the Anglican Communion in ecumenical or interfaith relations."