Archbishop Peter Akinola is preparing to retire in 2010 and his successor is to be elected tomorrow by the Church of Nigeria's House of Bishops, which includes the bishops of the Convocation of Anglican in North America (CANA), now also a member of the Anglican Church in North America. We remember our brothers and sisters in the Church of Nigeria who are also praying this night for wisdom and discernment to break through the political intrigue of the election and elect the man God is calling to lead the largest province in the Anglican Communion.
Almighty God, you have given your Holy Spirit to the Church to lead us into all truth: bless with the Spirit's grace and presence the members of the House of Bishops of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion; keep them steadfast in faith and united in love, that they may manifest your glory and prepare the way of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Archbishop Peter Akinola is preparing to retire in 2010 and his successor is to be elected tomorrow by the Church of Nigeria's House of Bishops, which includes the bishops of the Convocation of Anglican in North America (CANA), now also a member of the Anglican Church in North America. We remember our brothers and sisters in the Church of Nigeria who are also praying this night for wisdom and discernment to break through the political intrigue of the election and elect the man God is calling to lead the largest province in the Anglican Communion.
11 comments:
I'd be interested in hearing more about the "political intrigue of the election." Are the Nigerian processes for electing Bishops much different than what we see in this country? Who are the candidates? Do people in CANA congregations here have input into the choice of candidates? Is there a candidate who is largely favored by North American CANA groups?
Scout
Elect Minns. He'd be hilarious as the face of that church.
The candidates are mostly unknown to CANA as a missionary diocese. +Minns would certainly know the leading contenders and has a vote.
Nigeria has basically let CANA be self governing, asking no $$ contributions and not exerting any significant influence over CANA decisions. It has cost the Nigerians time, talent and treasure to support CANA, and they have asked nothing in return other than faithful adherence to scripture.
RalphM
What is the "political intrigue" that BB was referring to. In a Nigerian context, that sounds very intriguing, for lack of a better phrase.
Scout
They've elected Nick Okoh - archbishop of Bendel, and Chair of GAFCON's Theological Resource Team!
This is really really great news - Nick's nickname (sorry) is "Nyundo ya wazushi" - the Hammer of Heretics (google says that's from Anthony of Padua) an he's clearly keen on following Akinola's footsteps in keeping GAFCON staunch in the war against ECUSA.
He's drafted many of the recent GAFCON statements and was instrumental in ensuring GAFCON's Lambeth boycott held firm.
He's also made some of the strongest arguments (against Akinola, funnily enough) that the time is well past for GAFCON making the final break with Canterbury and recognizing Jerusalem, say, as the focus for unity.
All in all: great news!
Anon:
I take exception to your characterization: "the war against ECUSA". The "war" is against heresy wherever it infects the Body of Christ.
RalphM
OK fair enough - but I'm happy to characterise say WWII as the war against the Nazis although it was against fascism everywhere - including Italy and Japan.
But you can be sure this Hammer of Heretics will take the battle to the US, to the UK and to Canterbury itself!
Anon: No problem with that concept. ECUSA may be my adversary but I'm not at war with them. Too many old friends with whom I disagree
Hammering heretics seems a lot messier than burning them. I've never met one, but they seem to be having some kind of resurgence, according to this site and a few others.
Scout
"The overarching connection in all of these crises has to do with the great Western heresy – that we can be saved as individuals," said Bishop Schori in her opening address at General Convention this summer.
Yes, you are right there, Scout. Hammering heretics does seem to be on the resurgence.
bb
I meant that heretics were having an uptick. I thought that was clear, but I'll emphasize the point now. I'm taking a bold stand against hammering them. Burning is more sanitary and more fun to watch.
Not sure that there is a direct relationship between the volume of heresy and the number of heretics. Seems that a few powerful heretics could foment gobs of heresy, or a whole lot of ineffectual heretics might not create much in the way of heresy.
Scout
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