8TH GENERAL SYNOD OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA
PRIMATE’S OPENING ADDRESS – 12TH SEPTEMBER 2005
My beloved brethren of
The House of Bishops,
The House of Laity,
The House of Clergy and
All the people of God here assembled.
Three eventful years have rolled past and, all too soon, we are here gathered again for the Eighth General Synod of our Church. It is with great joy that I bid all certified and accredited delegates welcome in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus the Christ.
I note with great delight that when we assembled in Ibadan for the Seventh General Synod, we were from seventy-eight dioceses spread across all the states of the Federation of Nigeria. Today, here gathered, we are ninety-three dioceses with the ninety-fourth just a few days away, that is, Ijebu North diocese, to be inaugurated on the 17th day of September 2005. This remarkable growth is a testimony to the effectiveness of the evangelistic work entrusted to this Church and demands that we all give glory to God for His faithfulness.
Let me quickly seize this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to the Rt. Revd. Ken Okeke and the entire people of the Diocese On the Niger for agreeing to host this meeting. I believe it is obvious to all that our general synod is now on a greater magnitude in this ancient city of Onitsha or better still, the 'ancient' Kingdom of Onitsha. This is no mean feat! I am confident that God who has given you the ability to honour His name in this magnificent way will honour you continually.
We also welcome the retired Bishops and Archbishops of this Church. We remain thankful to God Almighty for your faithfulness, love and support and the solid foundation that has been laid by our fathers. We pray that God will grant you many more years of fruitful and fulfilled life and "as your days, so may your strength be".
Unto all our friends, ecumenical partners and special invitees to this opening ceremony, we offer our warm embrace and welcome to our Synod.
May our bond of fellowship continue to grow stronger and may you enjoy divine blessing as you continue to witness to the transforming love of God.
We are grateful to the numerous representatives of various governments for their esteemed presence and for the honour done to the Church. We offer special thanks to His Royal Highness, the Obi of Onitsha and his entourage. May the kingdom of Onitsha in your time receive special favour and blessings of God Almighty.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, we welcome you warmly. We appreciate your presence and pray that the truth of God will shine brightly through all of your efforts. Finally, we are grateful to all who have worked and are busy working behind the scenes for the success of this meeting. God has taken note of your labour of love and will recompense you bountifully. God bless you all.
Good people of God, this meeting gives us all an opportunity to reflect on the years gone past and to note the various challenges, opportunities that await us in the future. It is also time to give thanks for the manifold blessings of the Lord and we declare that indeed, "The LORD is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer; our God, our strength, in whom we will trust…" (Psalm. 18:2). God is challenging us at this synod to a critical review of our standing with Him especially regarding His expectations of us as individuals and His Church.
He is calling us to question as He focuses the strong beam of His searchlight on us. In the words of wisdom in Proverbs 3:3-4, God enjoins us:
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man".
Are we manifesting the Agape love of God and are we, in our Christian pilgrimage and stewardship, exhibiting faithfulness?
As you must have seen in the synod programme, our theme for this meeting is "THE BODY OF CHRIST". During our time together here, in our worship services, bible studies, group deliberations and plenary sessions, we will have the opportunity to reflect on this pivotal definition of God’s Church.
The Body of Christ is a powerful image for the church and highlights the importance of UNITY among believers; it also reminds us of the mystical union of the Godhead manifest in Jesus Christ.
In Genesis Chapter 1, the creator God speaks the word and the miracle of creation unfolds. The Gospel of John chapter 1 amplifies further:
"In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.”
And then in the magnificent words of Verse 14 we hear this amazing declaration;
"the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the father, full of grace and truth".
It is not possible to overstate the importance of the body of Christ for the believer. It not only points to - but is indeed part of redemptive work of salvation - the story of which the church proclaims and propagates. As the apostle Paul reminds us, it is at the heart of the affirmation made by Jesus on the night of the institution of the Eucharist:
"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you; the Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, This is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way after supper, He took the cup saying, this cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
(1 Cor 11:23-25)
Understanding the church as the body of Christ also reminds us of our inter-connectedness. We cannot function alone. Every part of the body serves and is served by every other part and together they form a union which, is indissoluble with Christ. This union changes individual believers and transforms him into the image of Christ. Paul articulates this bonding clearly with the working of the human body when he states:
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ…1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
The Apostolic Church understood this and practiced it faithfully from the very beginning:
"All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved". Acts 2:44-47.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions were his own, but they shared everything they had…there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time, those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Acts 4: 32, 34-35.
This is the practical way in which we, as members of Christ's Church, are to remain faithfully bonded in love.
As we often sing in one of my favourite hymns….
1. Faith of our fathers living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear that glorious word.
Refrain: Faith of our fathers! Holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
4. Faith of our fathers! We will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife
And preach thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Refrain:
But the question that we must ask is,
‘Are we faithful?’,
‘Are we continuing to uphold the faith of our Fathers?’
‘Are we a faithful reflection of the Body of Christ in our own day?’
Sadly in many places the Church of Jesus Christ has lost its way and become a tragic reflection of the decay and divisions in the larger society. Instead of bringing light into the darkness manifesting the agape love of Christ, too often it champions immorality, encourages hatred and even creates division based on ethnic and tribal differences.
Instead of demonstrating the power of reconciliation it promotes wickedness and injustice; instead of bringing healing through sacrificial love it arrogantly encourages greed and promotes selfish desire. Sadly, it has become very difficult, if not impossible; to see ourselves as the body of Christ that demonstrates mutual submission in the name of Christ.
One aspect of our own church life where we can most clearly see a big difference between our calling as the body of Christ following the example of the Apostles is in the manner in which we elect Bishops. This ought to be a divine- Holy Spirit- led activity; but too often it has been invaded by a number of mundane, secular and negative considerations such as parochialism, recriminations, ethnic and tribal manipulations and other unwholesome antics.
Sadly we are all aware of examples of this within our own Province. Indeed it was the memory of some of the more difficult moments in our life together over the past eight (8) years that prompted the theme for this Synod.
We have examples of our own brokenness in the Benin diocese crisis that lasted more than seven years and more recently the situation in the Warri Diocese. How can we claim to be sharing in the same body of Christ and yet be antagonistic to one another – even declaring ourselves to be irreconcilably divided. This makes nonsense of the Word of God.
In our constitution, chapter X, section 44, page 12, it is clearly stated, "A bishop for any diocese may be elected from among the bishops or clergy of any diocese in communion with the Church of Nigeria".
The founding fathers of this church who wrote this constitution must have had the unity of the Church uppermost in their minds.
But today, if the General Synod thinks otherwise, it can authorise a dramatic change to the clause in the constitution. This, however, would be a great disaster since it is the very opposite to God's intention for His Church.
We dare not travel in that direction instead we must beg for mercy. We must return to our roots and embrace the faith as handed down through the ages. We must see ourselves as essential parts of one body, each endowed by God to contribute and to complement the other as we move on in our Christian Pilgrimage.
The services and the bible study during this Synod Session should assist us to renew ourselves and discover the path to the heart of Jesus Christ as he prayed in John 17: 15-23:
"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may truly be sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message. That all of them might be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me".
Our unity as the Body of Christ is not only a demonstration of our own faithfulness but also a testimony to God's faithfulness in sending His Son into the world. It is our highest calling!
Beloved in Christ, through the implementation of our Vision the Lord is doing a new thing in our Church. It is with joy and gratitude that we report highlights of major landmarks and events in the activities of our Church in the past three years.
Global Anglican Relations
We assumed leadership position as Chairman of Conference of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) in August 2003 and Chairman of the South-South Encounter of the Anglican Communion in September 2003 and also became the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in November 2003.
Clearly, as never before, there is a God-given opportunity for the Church of Nigeria today to exercise servant leadership in Africa and in the third world as a whole. We have seized this opportunity and have been able to uphold the integrity of the Gospel and preach a message of self-reliance under God around the world.
We have strengthened our links with Provinces in other parts of Africa and the global South. The result of this was the successful hosting of the first ever African Anglican Bishops' Conference (AABC) in October 2004. The conference was fully funded by the Church of Nigeria. Tickets were provided for over 50 bishops who could not afford the tickets. Meals and hotel accommodation were provided for all delegates at no cost to them. The theme of the conference, AFRICA COMES OF AGE, was clearly demonstrated. As at the end of the conference, links have been developed among Dioceses in Africa with the aim of supporting each other. The Church of Nigeria, for example, has already made a presentation of a Jeep to the Primate of the Church of Congo to assist the work of the Church in that Country. Before the end of this year, we hope to be able to send a missionary Bishop to Congo.
We have continued to challenged the revisionist agenda of the Provinces in the West as they attempt to twist the clear teaching of the Bible in matters of human sexuality. Our voice became really loud when Canon Jeffery John, an openly gay priest, was chosen to be Bishop of Reading in the Diocese of Oxford. Then came the approval of liturgy for same-sex marriage in Westminster, Canada and the sad climax being the consecration of Gene Robinson, who did not hide his intention to continue an active homosexual partnership, into Episcopal ministry in ECUSA.
As part of our initial response, a committee, set up by the House of Bishops articulated our views in a presentation titled "What We Believe About Human Sexuality".
This was posted on our website for the entire world to see. It reads in part: "Our position is not simply representative of the opinion of an insignificant minority and 'broadminded' scholars.
We are glad to identify ourselves with the company of godly people, both past and present, who have earnestly contended for the truth of the Scriptures and who are spread across many denominations and generations. We share the concern of all who want to do what is right in God's sight; and we continue to examine our own selves in the light of God's requirements and generous provision through the means of grace for our instruction."
A significant outcome of the current crisis has been the need to cater for the spiritual needs of thousands of Nigerian Anglicans in the USA who must not be abandoned to the vagaries of a confused ECUSA. At least three (3) teams of Bishops (including: The Most Rev. M.S.C. Anikwenwa, Rt. Rev. M. Owadayo, Rt. Rev. Peter Adebiyi, Rt. Rev. E. Chukwuma, Rt. Rev. H. Ndukuba, and Rt. Rev. Ikechi Nwosu) went to the US on our behalf to study the potentials for fruitful ministry and their reports have been a guiding light in further moves.
Also a considerable number of American Bishops and clergy have indicated a desire to collaborate with the mission of the Church of Nigeria's Mission to America known and called Convocation of Anglican Nigerian Missions in USA (CANA). Although we have under the laws of the USA incorporated CANA, it remains a vivid and constant reminder that the continued existence of the worldwide Anglican Communion rests on a very shaky foundation. We ask for the prayers of God's people.
Endowment Fund/Self Reliance
I extend grateful and enthusiastic thanks to all who have supported the endowment fund by contributing so generously. From the records, however, it is clear that some have refused to pay; some have failed to pay whilst some others cannot simply be bothered. A full report of the endowment fund is being presented to this Synod. Suffice it to say that we have followed through on the promise made at our presentation, in March 2000, that assessments will be progressively reduced and phased out. I am glad to say that from next year assessment will be at the token level of 10% of the level in the year 2000 when we assumed office as Primate.
With the significant shortfall in the endowment fund payments the National Church will regrettably have to tailor its programmes to available funds. It is pertinent to note that if we had paid as scheduled, we would have become a completely self-reliant Church by now.
One of the first casualties of non-payment of the endowment is our inability to fund the projected costs associated with Lambeth Conference 2008. Unfortunately those who have paid in their quota in full may be unjustifiably penalized.
Ecumenism/Interfaith
We continue to feature very promineintly at the leadership level of Ecumenical Organisations and pay our subscriptions promptly. The Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon completed his term as President of CCN last year. Most Rev. Dr. Rogers Uwadi of the Methodist Church took over with the Bishop of Egba Diocese, Rt. Rev. Oluremi Owadayo as Vice President. Our on-going dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian denominations continue to develop in a positive direction.
Our Director of Ecumenism, Duke Akamisoko was elected bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Zonkwa and has since been replaced by the Ven. Olusola Igbari.
A dramatic witness to the remarkable ecumenical climate in our nation and in our time is the completion of the Ecumenical Center in Abuja. This will surely become a House of Prayer for all people and is perhaps the only one of its kind any where in the world where all Christian denominations are able to gather to worship freely. You are all warmly invited to its service of Dedication on Sunday, October 2, 2005.
Communication
CrowtherNet continues to provide Internet services for the church and has succeeded in linking by e-mail some dioceses of the church with the computer servers in Abuja. The poor quality of cabled telecommunication infrastructure nationwide provided by Nitel is the main hindrance to the realization of nationwide connection. Our church website, www.anglican-nig.org continues to be one of Africa's most popular, most visited and most up-dated faith-based organisation website.
Crowther Radio operating from Abuja on FM 104.5 wave band continues to be the only Christian radio station in the area and is very popular in Abuja and its environs. You can support the station with adverts and programme sponsorships.
The League of Anglican Media Professionals (LAMP) is being revitalized. This body comprising of Anglicans in Media Organisations is expected to assist the positive projection of our church nationally.
Social Welfare
Our HIV/AIDS programme continues to provide support to hundreds of people living with HIV/AIDS. Counselling, treatment and spiritual succour is provided by our churches. In partnership with donor Agencies and the National Action Committee on Aids (NACA), we have put together a strategic plan and policy on HIV/AIDS and implementation is co-ordinated at the diocesan level. Training has been conducted nationally for trainers to continue the training at diocesan and parish levels.
With the appointment of a national education adviser, Ms. Adeline Uwanaka and the Director of Social Welfare, Ven. Dr. Christian Ebisike, we are poised for better national co-ordination of our education initiatives and investments.
Mission and Evangelism
Mission is at the heart of what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ. Or as the eminent Swiss theologian Emil Brunner said, "The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning." Our mission initiative 1-1-1 was revised to become mission 1-1-3 in order to give more time for effective realization of the programme. A seven-point implementation plan was agreed at the Standing Committee meeting in Kaduna in March 2005. A monitoring procedure is being put in place to assist compliance at the diocesan level.
With the recent appointment of the Director of CNMS as Provost of the Cathedral Church of our Saviour in the Diocese of Ijebu, there is need for a new Director for Mission and Evangelism who will double as the Coordinator of the Church of Nigeria Missionary Society (CNMS).
Silver Jubilee Anniversary
The church held its 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee) celebration on February 24, 2004 This landmark was marked by the publication of the Silver Drums a compilation consisting of the pictures of the Bishops and their wives, the cathedral and a brief history of every diocese in the nation.
Ibru Centre
We finally got the Centre transferred to the Church and have begun the building of 60 room accommodation block to enhance the facilities available at the Retreat Centre. We thank Dioceses that have paid their contributions toward the project and urge those who are yet to pay to please do so in the course of this Synod because it is hoped that this project will be completed by November/December 2005 ahead of the 2006 retreat of the House of Bishops who are now joined by some bishops of the West African Province.
All Clergy Conference
The church successfully held a truly all clergy conference with about 6,000 clergy present at the University of Ibadan in August 2004. The gathering was truly fruitful, refreshing and rewarding.
Creation of New Dioceses
A total of sixteen (16) new dioceses were created namely: Okrika, Oyo, Ahoada, Ekiti-Oke, Kubwa, Idah, Arochukwu/Ohafia, Isiukwuato, Ikwuano, Ogoni, Badagry, Ogbomoso, Zonkwa, Western Izon, Aguata and Ijebu-North.
Translation of Bishops
Five bishops were translated: Rt. Rev. Caleb A Maduoma, Rt, Rev. Emmanuel Egbunu, Rt, Rev. Simon Bala, Rt. Rev. Christian Efobi, Rt. Rev. Daniel Yisa.
Election and Consecration of Bishops
A total of twenty-four new bishops were consecrated since the last Synod.
Retired Bishops
Church and State
We are grateful for the freedom and the opportunity that we have been given to serve as a witness to Jesus Christ at the national and international level. However, along with freedom comes responsibility and we dare not remain silent about a number of pressing issues:
Road Network
The deplorable general state of disrepair into which the road networks of our nation have sunk demands urgent and decisive action.
Travelling through the country in recent times, you discover such roads as: Gombe Numan Yola; Abuja Kano; Zaria Sokoto; Abuja Benin; Ore Benin; Onitsha Port Harcourt via Owerri; Enugu Makurdi; Warri Ughelli Patani - Port Harcourt roads that are in deplorable condition.
This affects all of us. Only Benin Onitsha is in a state that we all can be proud of. The Sango-Ota, Abeokuta road requires a special mention in the sense that the less than 100km road has been under construction for over 5 years with no visible completion and commissioning date in sight.
This is not only an embarrassment but it has resulted in the loss of many lives. We would remind all those who have misappropriated or stolen the money meant for putting these roads in shape that they have human blood on their hands!
We urge the Presidency to put its powerful searchlight on the ministry of works to determine the acuracy of the claims being made by the ministry concerning road works in the country. From the grape vine we now gather that much of the money meant for the construction of roads is being siphoned for political project 2007.
Immunity Clause
To be a leader in our nation demands transparent honesty. We urge the National Assembly and the Presidency to urgently revisit this issue with a view to removing this clause from our constitution. Immunity is important when it relates to frivolous allegations and mischievous petitions aimed at sabotaging good governance, peace and justice.
However, where a leader is clearly seen to be living above his income, and funds collected from all sources are not being reflected in the state and federal coffers, OR, where there is clear evidence of funds being transferred outside the state into foreign bank accounts; immunity for such leaders become ridiculous and a clear enemy to our nation's growth and development.
We urge all stakeholders in this nation student organisations, organized labour, the media, and religious organisations to support this call to remove this 'dubious cover' from these public officers who are no better than common thieves, such that they be made accountable for their outrageous behavior.
Census
On the forthcoming census, we fully support the intention to obtain a credible and accurate data for sustainable and effective development of the country. It is important that we have accurate results and a comprehensive analysis to support our plans for the future. Therefore we question the proposed exclusion of ethnic and religious data from the census since this will reduce the value of the analysis. We have all heard a number of spurious claims surrounding these sensitive issues - including the religious and ethnic data in the census would end these unsubstantiated speculations.
Content of films/programmes
Recently, there has been an alarming growth in programmes on our television that promote sexual laxity and permissiveness in the name of entertainment. This comes at a time when we all recognize the importance of strengthening family life and the need to protect our children from the ungodly influences from the so-called developed world. This calls for responsibility and careful judgment from those who choose these films and programmes. There is no question that their choices can have a profoundly negative impact upon the sexual attitudes of our young people and add to the rising tide of moral decadence.
We therefore call on those who oversee our television networks to ensure that they strengthen our national life and not destroy it. Since this is a vital concern for all communities of faith we propose that representatives of CAN and JNI be included in this effort.
Return of Schools
It is high time that schools are returned to their original owners, not as a favour but as a right because clearly government cannot single-handedly cope with all of the educational requirements within the country especially with regards to the maintaining a consistent morality content.
Politics
It is without question that all will benefit from an improvement in the political climate within our nation. The current political climate is too often characterized by bitterness and personal attacks. It requires serious attention and a new emphasis on civility and maintaining a Godly disposition.
We are grateful to God, however, for the achievements that have been made under a democratic setting and congratulate our federal government leadership in the bold reform measures being undertaken. It is imperative, however, to urgently address the worsening economic conditions of the ordinary men and women in our nation.
Corruption
We thank God for what has so far been done in fighting corruption in this country. It has had a positive effect on the reputation of our nation around the world. However, we are quick to add that not enough has yet been done until those who have been found to be corrupt are identified and promptly prosecuted. Too often, justice delayed is justice denied, and so we urge government on in this fight that must be won for the future of our nation.
The world at large:
Apostolic, historic, time tested and highly valued beliefs are not only being challenged, distorted they are being replaced by half truths and in many cases with outright falsehood.
Britain has joined its brethren in the 'Civilised West' to legitimise civil partnerships which to us simply means same sex marriages. They are also debating putting a ban on public preaching because it offends Moslem minorities! Britain has of course made Sunday a working day.
Global economic realities continue to dictate the policy of survival of the fittest, thereby widening the gulf between the haves and have-nots.
Military adventurism of the duo of USA/UK make life so uncertain in the most vulnerable parts of the world.
Natural disasters of unknown proportions in contemporary history: in the form of Tsunami in Asia and parts of Africa; hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Lousiana, USA, severe drought in Portugal are ravaging and taking large toll of human life away from the world at such an alarming rate as to suggest that perhaps the eschaton/parousia is at last at hand.. Matt 24.
HIV and AIDS remain the deadliest and fastest killer in the developing world, snuffing out life of able bodied men and women in their prime and most productive age-indeed wiping out whole communities.
Terrorist attacks have not abated. Kenya, USA and lately UK have had a raw deal from terrorism. Tax payers money being spent to combat this evil is more than double the entire african annual budget.
Now I ask, is God unaware of all these? Can anything happen in his world without his knowledge, and does God approve of them?
What is God, in all of these catastrophes, saying to his Church and to his world.. to the Church alive to its responsibilities or is fast asleep?
Obituary
Sir Steven Giwa-Amu, Most Revd. A. A. Agbaje, Most Revd. B. C. Nwankiti (Retired Dean).
Conclusion
Beloved in Christ Jesus, let us hearken to the voice of the Lord calling us to reconsider our ways and to make deliberate and determined effort to have a change of hearts. Let us stop all activities that will dishonour the Body of Christ. If we allow Godly intervention in our affairs as a Church His promise is sure. He will heal our divisions and make His Church great. God bless our time together here in this city of Onitsha.
The Most Revd. Peter J. Akinola, CON, DD
Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria
