Anglican Mainstream

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has denounced as unchristian a statement demonizing gays and lesbians that was allegedly made by a Nigerian bishop and published by United Press International (UPI).

In a statement released by the Anglican Consultative Council’s press office on Sept. 7, Archbishop Williams expressed “deep shock” at remarks made by the Bishop of Uyo, the Rt. Rev. Isaac Orama. The Nigerian bishop has denied making the remarks attributed to him.

A Sept. 2 report widely circulated by UPI the same weekend that three former Episcopal priests were consecrated Anglican bishops for the United States was based on a News Agency of Nigeria article in which Bishop Orama was quoted in part saying: “Homosexuality and lesbianism are inhuman. Those who practice them are insane, satanic and are not fit to live because they are rebels to God’s purpose for man.”

Archbishop Williams said that such comments were “unacceptable and profoundly shocking on the lips of any Christian” noting that the “primates, along with all other official bodies in the Anglican Communion, have consistently called for an end to homophobia, violence and hatred.” The statement noted that Archbishop Williams has asked the Primate of Nigeria, Archbishop Peter Akinola, for an explanation.

A spokesman for the Church of Nigeria, Archdeacon Akintunde Popoola, told The Living Church the quote attributed to the bishop was false.

The Bishop of Uyo “denied making such a statement,” Canon Popoola said. While the bishop’s address to his diocesan synod did speak to the issue of human sexuality dividing the Communion, and the Church of Nigeria’s position on these issues, “he did not say that [gays and lesbians] are to be hated, nor that they are insane or unfit to live.”

The News Agency of Nigeria reporter has “apologized for the misrepresentation and promised a retraction,” Archdeacon Popoola told TLC.

(The Rev.) George Conger
[Read here->http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=3791]

The Anglican Communion Office released this statement:

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has expressed deep shock at remarks said to have been made by the Bishop of Uyo, Nigeria, the Rt Revd Isaac Orama concerning gay and lesbian people.

The Archbishop will be contacting the Archbishop of Nigeria, Dr Peter Akinola, to seek clarification. Dr Williams said “The safety of people of gay and lesbian sexual orientation is a matter of concern for us all. The Anglican Primates, along with all other official bodies in the Anglican Communion, have consistently called for an end to homophobia, violence and hatred. If these reports are correct I would urge the bishop to apologise. Such comments are unacceptable and profoundly shocking on the lips of any Christian”.

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