|PIC1|The Archbishop of Nigeria, The Most Rev Peter Akinola, is planning to appoint a new 'Flying Bishop' to England to tend to disillusioned Anglican followers, The Church of England newspaper has reported.

Under current plans it could even be likely that the new bishop, appointed by the Nigerian Church leader, will be consecrated before the worldwide Lambeth Conference 2008.

A source working "in the Nigerian diocese" has told the CEN that the 'flying bishop' would be employed as a "mission co-ordinator".

Speaking to the CEN he said: "It is possible that Archbishop Peter Akinola will have somebody appointed by the next Lambeth Conference in July 2008."

"They will choose someone in the Old Testament way. They are not looking for management people, they are looking for people who will be mission co-ordinators."

He added: "Whoever is elected will have a very rough ride... I think that anyone in that position will be a hostage to fortune."

The CEN points out that it is believed the appointment will be of an English priest, rather than a Nigerian one, if the same pattern is followed as the previous such appointments in the US.

The latest development has been rumoured over the past few months, but this is the first firm comment revealed directly from within the Nigerian Church.

The move follows Archbishop Akinola's consecration of the Rt Rev Martyn Minns of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), who has been commissioned to provide for those unwilling to follow The Episcopal Churches' liberalisation of Scripture on issues of homosexuality within the Church.