A Nigerian bishop, who called the appointment of an openly
gay bishop in the United States "a satanic attack on God's church",
has been elected to head the council of African Anglican bishops.
Peter Akinola, primate for Nigeria, has taken over as
head of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa in a move analysts say is a
strong signal Africa will maintain a hardline stance
on the ordination of homosexuals.
Episcopalians - US Anglicans - appointed an openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson,
for the first time in August, prompting howls of indignation from
traditionalists, particularly in Africa.
"We as African Christians, we take the plain truth of the Bible, we don't
distort it, it is good for us as it is," Bishop Akinola
said.
"Those that think they have another level of understanding, or another
method of interpreting, good luck to them.
"The Anglican Church must continue to uphold biblical teaching on human
sexuality, marriage and family."
The council covers all 12 "provinces" of Africa out of the total 38
provinces in the world.
"If this trend will continue, if those who are deviating still refuse to
repent, then only God can tell what can happen, but Africa shall not change its
mind," Bishop Akinola said.
"If one is not compatible with our decision, that is no big deal."
Earlier this month, Njongonkulu Ngungane,
archbishop of Cape Town, broke ranks with his peers over what he called their
"intolerance" of Bishop Robinson's appointment.
Archbishop Ngungane was not at the council's meeting,
but was represented by another South African Bishop, Dinis
Sengulane, who made no comment.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the world's 70 million Anglicans, has
called an emergency meeting next month in London to discuss the impact of
Bishop Robinson's appointment.