Bethlehem, West Bank - The Lutheran World Federation council terminated Kenya's Bishop Walter Obare Omwanza as an official adviser because he consecrated Arne Olsson as a missionary bishop in Sweden on Feb. 5 without agreement from that nation's church.
Ecumenical News International, sponsored by several international church organizations including the Lutheran federation, said Olsson opposes Church of Sweden policies that allow female and gay clergy, and Obare protests Sweden's refusal to ordain clergy who dissent on the women's issue.
The federation said Obare's "inappropriate action of interfering in the life of a member church" disrupted Lutheran unity.
Obare's Lutheran Church in Kenya retains full membership in the federation.
Bishop Zephania Kameeta of Namibia, federation vice president for Africa, said African Lutheran leaders had met Obare last year to hear his concerns and advised him against consecrating a bishop in Sweden.