Canterbury says Akinola's Convocation Plan not Approved by Williams
Episcopal News Service. October 6, 2004 [100604-1]
Jan Nunley
The Archbishop of Canterbury's office says Archbishop Rowan Williams has not approved plans to establish a non-geographic Nigerian diocese, independent of Episcopal Church (ECUSA) structures, on American soil.
A spokesman says Williams and Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria did discuss working within the structures of ECUSA to provide for the spiritual needs of expatriate Nigerian Anglicans in the United States.
At a news conference October 5, Akinola announced plans to establish the Nigerian convocation for "those thousands of Nigerian Anglicans who feel alienated by the actions of the Episcopal Church" in consecrating an openly-gay priest, V. Gene Robinson, as a diocesan bishop last year. Asked whether the convocation would be open to non-Nigerians, he said, "They are absolutely free to join. The convocation is a non-geographic diocese."
Akinola said he had spoken with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams about the convocation and that Williams had told him, "I wish that you would do this with the Network" of Anglican Dioceses and Parishes, or NACDAP. So, he said, the convocation will be conducted in what Truro's rector Martyn Minns described as a "partnership" with NACDAP.
Reached on Wednesday, Archbishop Williams' press secretary, the Rev. Jonathan Jennings, released a brief statement: "The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, and Archbishop Akinola have discussed difficulties for some Nigerian congregations in the USA arising from the General Convention decision and the consecration of Gene Robinson. Whilst the issue and its presenting difficulties were discussed, and the role of the 'network' raised as providing a possible solution within the structures of ECUSA, the possibility of a Nigerian convocation in the United States and of the Nigerian House of Bishops commending, recommending or choosing a bishop was not raised and formed no part of these discussions.
"The Archbishop of Canterbury awaits the findings and recommendations of the Lambeth Commission."
Akinola, leader of 17.5 million Nigerian Anglicans, has in the past called Robinson's election "an attack on the Church of God," declared his province to be in broken communion with the Episcopal Church (ECUSA), and refused to attend meetings at which any representative of the American church is present. He also heads the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa, and there has been speculation in some quarters that he would lead conservative Anglicans to form an alternative to the Anglican Communion if strong action is not taken against ECUSA.
"My coming is to begin to explore ways and means of establishing another spiritual home for [Nigerian Anglicans in the U.S.] similar to what the Church of England has done for its people in Europe, and what ECUSA itself has done in Europe," Akinola told reporters gathering at Truro Church in Fairfax, Virginia. "Our people are deserting the Anglican church because of what has happened in this country," he added. "We have no choice but to rescue our people."
The Convocation of American Churches in Europe was established in the 19th century to provide for the spiritual needs of Episcopalians and other English-speaking people in Europe where there was no Anglican presence. A small number of congregations were established in the great cities of Western Europe, while elsewhere Episcopalians were welcomed and committed members of many Church of England chaplaincies. Strictly speaking, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church has jurisdiction over the Convocation, but day-to-day responsibility is entrusted to the Bishop in Charge. There are now four Anglican jurisdictions on the European mainland.
Akinola said he previously opposed crossing territorial borders, but had changed his mind. "That was when we were together sharing the same faith...but all that has been shattered," he said.
In a pastoral letter to Nigerian clergy in 2001, Akinola wrote: "Ultimately, it is ECUSA that must sort itself out. Let us call a spade a spade: No one of us has any constitutional powers to impose any 'external' answers on others."
The Anglican primates also stated following their meeting last October: "Whilst we reaffirm the teaching of successive Lambeth Conferences that bishops must respect the autonomy and territorial integrity of dioceses and provinces other than their own, we call on the provinces concerned to make adequate provision for episcopal oversight of dissenting minorities within their own area of pastoral care in consultation with the Archbishop of Canterbury on behalf of the Primates."
Akinola arrived in the U.S. Monday night and gave a speech at All Saints Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with about 100 people in attendance. The All Saints web site reported that Akinola was there to "encourage Nigerian Christians" and that his speech was particularly aimed at Nigerian priests in the area.
"I think there were about eight or ten Nigerians in the building, none of them were priests of our diocese, and several were friends of Akinola," said Jim Naughton, director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. "There were a lot of members of the American Anglican Council on hand, though."
Akinola estimated that there are 250,000 Nigerian Anglicans in the United States. Naughton said the Diocese of Washington, which is one of the main entry points for Nigerian immigrants to the U. S. has between 500 and 700 Nigerian members.
Akinola is spending two weeks in the U.S. with stops in Washington, New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Oklahoma City.