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US Anglicans consecrated in Kenya | US Anglicans consecrated in Kenya |
(10 minutes later) | |
Kenya's Anglican Church has consecrated two US bishops in a move expected to deepen the global rift within the Church over homosexuality. | Kenya's Anglican Church has consecrated two US bishops in a move expected to deepen the global rift within the Church over homosexuality. |
Bill Murdoch, of Massachusetts, and Bill Atwood, of Texas, will be answerable to the Kenyan Church, although they will serve in the US. | Bill Murdoch, of Massachusetts, and Bill Atwood, of Texas, will be answerable to the Kenyan Church, although they will serve in the US. |
They left the US Episcopal Church after it consecrated an openly gay bishop. | |
There are growing tensions within the Anglican denomination around the world, mainly over the issue of homosexuality. | |
Strong opposition | Strong opposition |
The two Americans were consecrated at a service at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi by Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi. | |
The ceremony was expected to be watched by a huge congregation of Kenyans, by archbishops and bishops from across Africa, and by the men's friends and supporters from the US. | |
We need to love them [gay people], we need to preach to them, but not to make them lay readers, pastors, bishops Archbishop Nzimbi | We need to love them [gay people], we need to preach to them, but not to make them lay readers, pastors, bishops Archbishop Nzimbi |
Archbishop Nzimbi said the consecration was not intended to widen the gulf in the church, but was a Christian response to a plea for help and pastoral care from Anglicans in the United States. | |
Gay people, he said, did not have a place as leaders in the Anglican communion. | |
"We need to love them, we need to preach to them, but not to make them lay readers, pastors, bishops," he said. | "We need to love them, we need to preach to them, but not to make them lay readers, pastors, bishops," he said. |
African authority | |
Last year two US churches, unhappy with the Episcopal Church's stance on homosexuality, voted to place themselves under the authority of the Anglican Archbishop of Nigeria. | |
The Anglican Church in Africa is conservative and deeply opposed to the ordination of gay priests. | |
In February, Anglican bishops meeting in Tanzania issued an ultimatum to the American church, demanding an end to the appointment of gay clergy and the blessing of same-sex couples. | |
US bishops have until 30 September to respond. | US bishops have until 30 September to respond. |
Meanwhile, the Episcopal diocese of Chicago on Tuesday included a lesbian priest among five nominees for bishop. | Meanwhile, the Episcopal diocese of Chicago on Tuesday included a lesbian priest among five nominees for bishop. |