ATLANTA -- The ECUSA "is trying to redefine Christianity and rewrite Scripture, and we have no right to do that. The historic faith of the church is what we stand by, and there is no going back"

After a two-day caucus in Atlanta on Saturday 3 April the leader of the largest Anglican archdiocese in the world denounced the ongoing actions of the Episcopal Church USA, the US branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and declared that the true future of American Anglicanism lies with the conservative groups in the denomination.

Archbishop Peter Akinola has been at the forefront of the battle to restore the biblical purity in the ECUSA since last November when the denomination consecrated an openly gay man as bishop. The archdiocese of Nigeria, which Akinola leads, has 17.5 million adherents, as opposed to the US’s 2.3 million. Akinola also leads the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa, a continent which includes half the world’s 77 million Anglicans. He is also the spokesperson for 'Global South' archbishops who severed normal ties with the Episcopal Church a few months ago.

Currently, 13 of 38 international archbishops have followed Akinola’s steps, denouncing the ECUSA and placing fellowship on hold until the gay bishop Gene Robinson’s consecration is repealed. They also called on the ECUSA to oppose gay marriage and halt the blessings of such unions in their churches.

Following the 2-day caucus, Akinola also said that he would not attend any meetings alongside the leader of the ECUSA, bishop Frank Griswold, or attend the 2008 meeting of the world’s Anglican bishops, should Griswold participate. He refused to attend a meeting in England last month for the same reason.

Last week’s meeting in Atlanta once again reinforced the support of the international community for the Network of Anglican Communion Diocese and Parishes and the American Anglican Council, the two groups of conservative believers who reject the ECUSA’s stance on homosexuality.

Akinola said the Episcopal Church "is trying to redefine Christianity and rewrite Scripture, and we have no right to do that. The historic faith of the church is what we stand by, and there is no going back."

The archbishop said he strongly backs the conservative opposition and its new network, even though those who favor liberal policies on gay rights have a clear operating majority in the U.S. church.

"It's either repent and come back to the fold, or give up on the Anglican family," he said.

But England, the Episcopal Church spokesman, said the church's position stands, "If he's waiting on the network to replace the Episcopal Church, I think he's in for a long wait".


Pauline J. Chang

from Ecumenical Press