The issue of homosexual clergy must be handled carefully so it does not divide Christian churches in Africa already facing enormous challenges, the new head of the All Africa Conference of Churches said Tuesday.
Many African church leaders responded swiftly and negatively to the election Aug. 5 by the Episcopal General Convention of V. Gene Robinson, a divorced homosexual, as the bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire.
Anglican leaders in Africa threatened to split with the worldwide Anglican communion, of which the U.S. Episcopal church is a member.
"The issue of homosexuality is one that has the potential of splitting the church right in the middle, and it has got to be handled with care," said Rev. Dr. Mvume Dandala, the Nairobi-based body's new general secretary.
Dandala, the former bishop of the Methodist church in southern Africa, said the lack of discussion of the Episcopal General Convention's action with other members of the World Council of Churches "is to be regretted."
He suggested that when faced with such issues, members of his group "come together to discuss problems of doctrine."
The 51-year-old South African, who took up his post Monday, said a major problem facing the conference is the continuing decline in membership in Christian churches in Europe that have traditionally provided 70 percent of his group's funding. The organization was established 40 years ago at the dawn of African independence.
"The church in Africa should strive for self-sufficiency," he said. "The church is supposed to be a source of hope, of positive messages for the future, and when the church is not able to provide for itself, it sends powerful messages to the people."
He acknowledged some assistance such as partnerships with churches in the developed world would be necessary in the short term but emphasized that these "will not be based on dependency."
At a time when membership in Christian churches in Africa, particularly among the charismatic and evangelical denominations, is rising, Dandala underscored "the centrality of Africa to the universal church."
Dandala said the group's 134 member churches must lead "in the critical role, in the task of rebuilding the continent." He called on members to hold governments responsible for how they treat their citizens and to stress the importance of morality, democracy and good governance.
The organization will hold its eighth general assembly Nov. 22-27 in Yaounde, Cameroon.