A WORD TO NIGERIAN ANGLICANS IN NORTH AMERICA
From the Primate of all Nigeria, Archbishop Peter J. Akinola:
Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
It has been my privilege to meet Nigerian Anglicans in places across America including Washington D.C., New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Indianapolis and Chicago. I have witnessed your faithfulness and seen what a blessing you are, both to those who share our love for the Lord Jesus and also those who have yet to hear the good news of His love.
I have also become aware of the challenging circumstances in which many of you find yourselves because of the actions of ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada. By their recent decisions, they have torn the fabric of our common life and have jeopardized your lives and ministries. This is a tragic reality that cannot be ignored. While it remains my prayer that ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada will repent and embrace the teaching of the Communion, their actions have placed an obligation upon me to provide for the proper and continuing pastoral and episcopal oversight for Nigerian churches in North America.
It is well known that many Nigerian Anglicans who live in the North America are no longer able to worship in an Anglican church, some have drifted to other churches, and others have even given up the faith. I well remember one woman coming to me during one of my visits and, with tears, saying she could no longer worship in an ECUSA church and that her whole family no longer had a church home, yet they would prefer to remain faithful Anglicans. In saying this she spoke for many others.
Several of our Nigerian clergy in America have been informed they can no longer work in an Episcopal diocese or have had their funding cut. Finally, the unilateral dismissal by the Presiding Bishop of the Chaplain we had jointly appointed to minister to Nigerian congregations illustrates the extent of the brokenness of our relationship and underlines the need to provide alternative structures for episcopal and pastoral care.
After much prayer and careful discernment with appropriate colleagues and advisors over the last two years, and in full consultation with the Nigerian congregations in America, together with the enthusiastic endorsement of the Episcopal Synod and the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) we announce the formation of the Convocation of Anglican Nigerian Churches in America.
This Convocation will function as a ministry of the Church of Nigeria in America. Our intention is not to challenge or intervene in the churches of ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada but rather to provide safe harbour for those who can no longer find their spiritual home in those churches. While it will initially operate under our Constitution and Canons, it will have its own legal and ecclesial structure and local suffragan episcopate. I will be asking the next General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, which will meet in September 2005, to make the necessary constitutional amendments.
During the intervening months, in cooperation with our friends in the Anglican Communion Network, I will be appointing episcopal visitors from among already consecrated bishops to provide pastoral and episcopal oversight for those congregations already in operation and in formation. I am excited by the possibilities before us and look forward to seeing this ministry grow.
We ask that all people will join us in prayer for the fullness of God’s blessing upon the Convocation and the growth of its witness to all who would hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola
Primate of All Nigeria and the Chairman of the Council of
Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA)
Saturday, 7 May 2005
Thursday, 28 April 2005
HIV/AIDS: Church of Nigeria parleys with NACA
HIV/AIDS: Church of Nigeria parleys with NACA
CONN/280405
Abuja, April 28, 2005- Following the implementation of her strategic policy document on HIV/AIDS, representatives of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the National Action Committee of AIDS (NACA) are to collaborate to crash the pandemic.
A decision to this effect was made following a meeting which took place in Abuja between the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria, Ven. Oluranti Odubogun and Chairman of NACA Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.
Ven. Odubogun gave an upbeat assessment on the Church’s response, outlining detailed activities carried out towards reduction of AIDS in the country.
So far, seminars and enlightenment campaigns were organized for over 60 Anglican Bishops and in October 2004, 63 Diocesan HIV/AIDS coordinator were trained on HIV/AIDS programming.
He said an integrated Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre (VCT) had been established in Abuja, adding that a prevention and care programme was commissioned under the Social Welfare Committee of the Church.
Partner Organisations including Action Aid International, Policy Project Nigeria and Christian Aid UK had at various degrees provided support for the Anglican Church activities on HIV/AIDS.
Responding, Prof. Osotimehin said Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) had an important role to play in the fight against the epidemic particularly in the areas of prevention and education.
According to him collaboration and encouragement in the face of so many obstacles should serve as a driving force to all major contributors to the National response on HIV/AIDS.
He commended the Anglican Church for evolving a workable strategic policy document on HIV/AIDS.
The Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church are the two FBOs that have evolved policies toward combating the scourge.
It would be recalled that NACA recently called for proposal from organizations working on combating HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
NACA plans to provide funding for successful bids ranging from N13 million to N39 million. Furthermore a national roundtable to access the impact of faith based groups on HIV/AIDS will be held in June this year.
Other members of the Church of Nigeria team present at the parley were National HIV/AIDS coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Olatunji, Rev. Sam Akale and Dr. Anthony Momoh.
CONN/280405
Abuja, April 28, 2005- Following the implementation of her strategic policy document on HIV/AIDS, representatives of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the National Action Committee of AIDS (NACA) are to collaborate to crash the pandemic.
A decision to this effect was made following a meeting which took place in Abuja between the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria, Ven. Oluranti Odubogun and Chairman of NACA Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.
Ven. Odubogun gave an upbeat assessment on the Church’s response, outlining detailed activities carried out towards reduction of AIDS in the country.
So far, seminars and enlightenment campaigns were organized for over 60 Anglican Bishops and in October 2004, 63 Diocesan HIV/AIDS coordinator were trained on HIV/AIDS programming.
He said an integrated Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre (VCT) had been established in Abuja, adding that a prevention and care programme was commissioned under the Social Welfare Committee of the Church.
Partner Organisations including Action Aid International, Policy Project Nigeria and Christian Aid UK had at various degrees provided support for the Anglican Church activities on HIV/AIDS.
Responding, Prof. Osotimehin said Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) had an important role to play in the fight against the epidemic particularly in the areas of prevention and education.
According to him collaboration and encouragement in the face of so many obstacles should serve as a driving force to all major contributors to the National response on HIV/AIDS.
He commended the Anglican Church for evolving a workable strategic policy document on HIV/AIDS.
The Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church are the two FBOs that have evolved policies toward combating the scourge.
It would be recalled that NACA recently called for proposal from organizations working on combating HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
NACA plans to provide funding for successful bids ranging from N13 million to N39 million. Furthermore a national roundtable to access the impact of faith based groups on HIV/AIDS will be held in June this year.
Other members of the Church of Nigeria team present at the parley were National HIV/AIDS coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Olatunji, Rev. Sam Akale and Dr. Anthony Momoh.
Church of Nigeria reaches out to assist the Anglican Church of Congo
Church of Nigeria reaches out to assist the Anglican Church of Congo
CONN/290405
Abuja, April 28, 2005- The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has donated a Land cruiser jeep to the Primate of Congo, the Most Rev Dirokpa B Fidele, to ease mobility and support evangelical work in the area.
Archbishop of Lagos Province, the Most Rev Ephraim Ademowo and the Bishop on the Niger, the Rt. Rev Ken Okeke presented the vehicle to the Primate of Congo in Kinshasa on behalf of the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev'd Peter Akinola.
The donation, which is to encourage the bond of love and partnership among African Anglican Churches, is coming few months after the maiden Africa Bishops Conference resolved that financially challenged Provinces should be supported by the more privileged Provinces.
Many years of civil war in the Congo DR has killed some 3 million people, rendering millions more homeless and completely ruined the country’s economy. The Church is also affected by this colossal loss of human lives and property. Stories abound of families sharing sleeping accommodation by observing shifts. Feeding is a problem as well as education with the clergy even finding it difficult to send their children to school.
Archbishop Ademowo said he saw deplorable conditions of living in the DR Congo and admits that the level of poverty is still very high. “The Province really needs a lot of assistance’’, he said, adding years of civil war has made the infrastructure of the country very dreadful.
This view was also corroborated by Bishop Okeke “Because of the incessant war in Congo the economy in the country is chaotic. In the capital there is no adequate transportation and life is generally difficult. This also affects the Church itself.’’
The Land cruiser Jeep worth thousands of Dollars was received with joy by the Primate and the Church “When we handed him (Archbishop Fidele) the key to the car he was enthused and excited,” Ademowo said. Congo is one of the largest African countries in terms of land mass and one can only imagine the many evangelistic opportunities good transportation can aid.
The visit to Kinshasa provided an opportunity to appraise the request for a missionary Bishop from the Church of Nigeria.
According to Bishop Okeke, who is also the Chairman of the Church of Nigeria Missionary Society (CNMS), the Missionary Bishop will be based in Kasai region which is annexed to the Diocese of Kinshasa.
His responsibilities would include preparing the missionary diocese to become a full fledged Diocese.
Archbishop Ephraim Ademowo and the Primate of Congo (3rd and 4th from left) in front of the Bishop’s worship center in Kinshasa. “The Anglican Church in Kinshasa is so young and poor that there is only one church building with deficient design that can sit only 50 people. The other sites are yet to be developed.’’ There are four priests and ten deacons in Kinshasa diocese. Their monthly support is very low. There is a lot the Church of Nigeria can do for them in terms of assistance and empowerment. ’’ Bishop Okeke said.
The Anglican Church in Kinshasa is just 8 years old and Archbishop Fidele doubles as the Bishop of Kinshasa. The Anglican Church came to Eastern Congo some 80 years ago but failed to thrive in the western part of the country where she is now moving in to spread the Gospel.
CONN/290405
Abuja, April 28, 2005- The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has donated a Land cruiser jeep to the Primate of Congo, the Most Rev Dirokpa B Fidele, to ease mobility and support evangelical work in the area.
Archbishop of Lagos Province, the Most Rev Ephraim Ademowo and the Bishop on the Niger, the Rt. Rev Ken Okeke presented the vehicle to the Primate of Congo in Kinshasa on behalf of the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev'd Peter Akinola.
The donation, which is to encourage the bond of love and partnership among African Anglican Churches, is coming few months after the maiden Africa Bishops Conference resolved that financially challenged Provinces should be supported by the more privileged Provinces.
Many years of civil war in the Congo DR has killed some 3 million people, rendering millions more homeless and completely ruined the country’s economy. The Church is also affected by this colossal loss of human lives and property. Stories abound of families sharing sleeping accommodation by observing shifts. Feeding is a problem as well as education with the clergy even finding it difficult to send their children to school.
Archbishop Ademowo said he saw deplorable conditions of living in the DR Congo and admits that the level of poverty is still very high. “The Province really needs a lot of assistance’’, he said, adding years of civil war has made the infrastructure of the country very dreadful.
This view was also corroborated by Bishop Okeke “Because of the incessant war in Congo the economy in the country is chaotic. In the capital there is no adequate transportation and life is generally difficult. This also affects the Church itself.’’
The Land cruiser Jeep worth thousands of Dollars was received with joy by the Primate and the Church “When we handed him (Archbishop Fidele) the key to the car he was enthused and excited,” Ademowo said. Congo is one of the largest African countries in terms of land mass and one can only imagine the many evangelistic opportunities good transportation can aid.
The visit to Kinshasa provided an opportunity to appraise the request for a missionary Bishop from the Church of Nigeria.
According to Bishop Okeke, who is also the Chairman of the Church of Nigeria Missionary Society (CNMS), the Missionary Bishop will be based in Kasai region which is annexed to the Diocese of Kinshasa.
His responsibilities would include preparing the missionary diocese to become a full fledged Diocese.
Archbishop Ephraim Ademowo and the Primate of Congo (3rd and 4th from left) in front of the Bishop’s worship center in Kinshasa. “The Anglican Church in Kinshasa is so young and poor that there is only one church building with deficient design that can sit only 50 people. The other sites are yet to be developed.’’ There are four priests and ten deacons in Kinshasa diocese. Their monthly support is very low. There is a lot the Church of Nigeria can do for them in terms of assistance and empowerment. ’’ Bishop Okeke said.
The Anglican Church in Kinshasa is just 8 years old and Archbishop Fidele doubles as the Bishop of Kinshasa. The Anglican Church came to Eastern Congo some 80 years ago but failed to thrive in the western part of the country where she is now moving in to spread the Gospel.
Christ Church Kaduna breathes peace at last
Christ Church Kaduna breathes peace at last
CONN/300405
Kaduna, Apirl 28, 2005- A new Vicar has been presented to the congregation of Christ (Anglican) Church Kaduna, signaling the return of peace after disagreement over disposition of clergy caused a rift between the Diocese and one of her parish Churches.
He is the Rev Canon Ben Idume, currently serving as the Church of Nigeria National Director of Youth and Women Affairs.
Archbishop of Kaduna, the Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, made the announcement to hundreds of worshippers who had the chance to witness the end of the over one-year old Vicar-ship dispute on Sunday 24th April, 2005.
He also announced the dissolution of the Central Working Committee of the Church (CWC), led by Chief O.N. Nwobi and commissioned a 12-man Committee, expected to work with the new Vicar until vestry elections are held.
For the past 15 months, Christ Church Kaduna and the Diocese of Kaduna were embroiled in a face-off after members of the local parish rejected the posting of a non-Igbo speaking Vicar.
Insisting that it was their right to have an-Igbo speaking Vicar since the congregation was pre-dominantly Igbo; the local church parted ways with the Diocesan who was of the opinion that non-Igbo speakers should be encouraged to join the Church for total integration irrespective of tribe or tongue
During the period of the impasse, the pastoral care of the congregation was committed to lay readers of the Church and an external ministry.
The intervention of Governor Ahmed Makarfi of Kaduna State and the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev. Peter Akinola commissioned a reconciliation Committee.
The Committee had representatives from the State government, the Kaduna State Christian Association of Nigeria, the Diocese of Kaduna and Christ Church Kaduna.
Prominent in the truce reached by the Reconciliation Committee was the posting of Rev Idume, a Deltan, who understands and speaks the Igbo language fluently.
At the `reconciliation service’, Archbishop Fearon prayed God to reward all that worked for the return of peace in the Church and particularly asked that the new Vicar be empowered with wisdom and understanding.
“We pray that the team (12-man Committee) he is working with will be fully controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit, ’’ the Archbishop said.
In a solemn mood, Rev. Canon Idume urged for prayers from members of the Church and appealed that all side-talks and gossip be put away toward achieving the supreme goal of the Church, which is salvation.
Meanwhile, the institution and induction service of the new Vicar is to come up on May 8, 2005.
Among the dignitaries who attended the service were Permanent Secretary Bureau for Religious Affairs in Kaduna State and the Secretary of CAN Kaduna Chapter, Rev. John Haiab.
Christ Church Kaduna was established in 1946
CONN/300405
Kaduna, Apirl 28, 2005- A new Vicar has been presented to the congregation of Christ (Anglican) Church Kaduna, signaling the return of peace after disagreement over disposition of clergy caused a rift between the Diocese and one of her parish Churches.
He is the Rev Canon Ben Idume, currently serving as the Church of Nigeria National Director of Youth and Women Affairs.
Archbishop of Kaduna, the Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, made the announcement to hundreds of worshippers who had the chance to witness the end of the over one-year old Vicar-ship dispute on Sunday 24th April, 2005.
He also announced the dissolution of the Central Working Committee of the Church (CWC), led by Chief O.N. Nwobi and commissioned a 12-man Committee, expected to work with the new Vicar until vestry elections are held.
For the past 15 months, Christ Church Kaduna and the Diocese of Kaduna were embroiled in a face-off after members of the local parish rejected the posting of a non-Igbo speaking Vicar.
Insisting that it was their right to have an-Igbo speaking Vicar since the congregation was pre-dominantly Igbo; the local church parted ways with the Diocesan who was of the opinion that non-Igbo speakers should be encouraged to join the Church for total integration irrespective of tribe or tongue
During the period of the impasse, the pastoral care of the congregation was committed to lay readers of the Church and an external ministry.
The intervention of Governor Ahmed Makarfi of Kaduna State and the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev. Peter Akinola commissioned a reconciliation Committee.
The Committee had representatives from the State government, the Kaduna State Christian Association of Nigeria, the Diocese of Kaduna and Christ Church Kaduna.
Prominent in the truce reached by the Reconciliation Committee was the posting of Rev Idume, a Deltan, who understands and speaks the Igbo language fluently.
At the `reconciliation service’, Archbishop Fearon prayed God to reward all that worked for the return of peace in the Church and particularly asked that the new Vicar be empowered with wisdom and understanding.
“We pray that the team (12-man Committee) he is working with will be fully controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit, ’’ the Archbishop said.
In a solemn mood, Rev. Canon Idume urged for prayers from members of the Church and appealed that all side-talks and gossip be put away toward achieving the supreme goal of the Church, which is salvation.
Meanwhile, the institution and induction service of the new Vicar is to come up on May 8, 2005.
Among the dignitaries who attended the service were Permanent Secretary Bureau for Religious Affairs in Kaduna State and the Secretary of CAN Kaduna Chapter, Rev. John Haiab.
Christ Church Kaduna was established in 1946
Monday, 21 March 2005
Statement of the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria
Statement of the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria
CONN/150305
The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion is optimistic that the decision of the Anglican Primates by asking the ECUSA and the Church of Canada to withdraw from the Communion will bring genuine repentance to the churches.
In a statement, the first issued by the Nigerian Church after the Primates meeting in February, the Standing Committee of the Church commended the Anglican Primates for standing up for orthodoxy in Christian faith and morals.
They interpreted the call for withdrawal to mean `` the suspension of ECUSA and the Church in Canada over their stance on human sexuality.
The statement was issued at the just concluded Standing Committee held at the Cathedral Church of St Michael Kaduna.
Read full text of communiqué:
CONN/150305
The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion is optimistic that the decision of the Anglican Primates by asking the ECUSA and the Church of Canada to withdraw from the Communion will bring genuine repentance to the churches.
In a statement, the first issued by the Nigerian Church after the Primates meeting in February, the Standing Committee of the Church commended the Anglican Primates for standing up for orthodoxy in Christian faith and morals.
They interpreted the call for withdrawal to mean `` the suspension of ECUSA and the Church in Canada over their stance on human sexuality.
The statement was issued at the just concluded Standing Committee held at the Cathedral Church of St Michael Kaduna.
Read full text of communiqué:
Tuesday, 15 March 2005
Church of Nigeria elects new Bishop of Gusau, receives application for more dioceses
Church of Nigeria elects new Bishop of Gusau, receives application for more dioceses
(CONN/130305)
Following the translation of Bishop Simon Bala to the missionary Diocese of Kubwa, the Episcopal synod of the Church of Nigeria has announced the election of Rev. Canon John Garba as the new Bishop of Gusau Diocese.
Also the Standing Committee of the Church has received application for the creation of three additional dioceses.
The announcement was made by the Primate of the Anglican Church Archbishop Peter Akinola at the just concluded bi-annual meeting of the Church held in Kaduna.
Born in 1958, Rev. Garba until his election was a priest at St. Michael’s Cathedral Kaduna. He was ordained in 1991 and has served as minister in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto States.
The Bishop elect told our correspondent “shortly after my ordination in 1991 I spent four months in Gusau. I consider my going there in 2005 as a Bishop as a very great challenge to me.”
Meanwhile two Anglican Bishops are billed to retire by September 2005. They are Bishops Jeremiah Fabuluje of the diocese of Kwara and Nathaniel Yisa of the diocese of Minna.
The mandatory retirement age for Bishops in the Anglican Church is 70 however the clergymen are at liberty to retire before the specified age.
Bishops Fabuluje and Yisa preached their valedictory sermons at the Kaduna meeting.
In his sermon topic entitled Obedience, the retiring Bishop of Kwara urged Christians to think more seriously of the salvation of souls than the raising of funds for building physical structures.
Speaking on the same topic, Bishop of Minna called on Christians to be more generous in their offerings to God as the Lord appreciates sacrificial offering given in obedience and humility.
According to him “to believe in Jesus Christ, belong to him and behave like him is the total sum of obedience. ’’
In a related development the bi-annual meeting of the Church also received application for the creation of three additional dioceses.
They are the Ijebu-Igbo to be carved out from the Diocese of Ijebu, Aguata from the Diocese of Awka and Missionary Diocese of Western Izon from the Diocese of Warri.
However, the ratification of the proposed dioceses (full-fledged) will depend on their ability to meet their financial obligation to the church including the endowment fund, Lambeth conference and an investment fund paid to the national office
(CONN/130305)
Following the translation of Bishop Simon Bala to the missionary Diocese of Kubwa, the Episcopal synod of the Church of Nigeria has announced the election of Rev. Canon John Garba as the new Bishop of Gusau Diocese.
Also the Standing Committee of the Church has received application for the creation of three additional dioceses.
The announcement was made by the Primate of the Anglican Church Archbishop Peter Akinola at the just concluded bi-annual meeting of the Church held in Kaduna.
Born in 1958, Rev. Garba until his election was a priest at St. Michael’s Cathedral Kaduna. He was ordained in 1991 and has served as minister in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto States.
The Bishop elect told our correspondent “shortly after my ordination in 1991 I spent four months in Gusau. I consider my going there in 2005 as a Bishop as a very great challenge to me.”
Meanwhile two Anglican Bishops are billed to retire by September 2005. They are Bishops Jeremiah Fabuluje of the diocese of Kwara and Nathaniel Yisa of the diocese of Minna.
The mandatory retirement age for Bishops in the Anglican Church is 70 however the clergymen are at liberty to retire before the specified age.
Bishops Fabuluje and Yisa preached their valedictory sermons at the Kaduna meeting.
In his sermon topic entitled Obedience, the retiring Bishop of Kwara urged Christians to think more seriously of the salvation of souls than the raising of funds for building physical structures.
Speaking on the same topic, Bishop of Minna called on Christians to be more generous in their offerings to God as the Lord appreciates sacrificial offering given in obedience and humility.
According to him “to believe in Jesus Christ, belong to him and behave like him is the total sum of obedience. ’’
In a related development the bi-annual meeting of the Church also received application for the creation of three additional dioceses.
They are the Ijebu-Igbo to be carved out from the Diocese of Ijebu, Aguata from the Diocese of Awka and Missionary Diocese of Western Izon from the Diocese of Warri.
However, the ratification of the proposed dioceses (full-fledged) will depend on their ability to meet their financial obligation to the church including the endowment fund, Lambeth conference and an investment fund paid to the national office
Tuesday, 8 March 2005
Anglican Churchmen converge in Kaduna
Anglican Churchmen converge in Kaduna
By Peter Onwubuariri
CONN/100305
Abuja, March 8- About 400 Nigerian Anglican churchmen representing the laity, clergy and Bishops will be gathering in the northern city of Kaduna for their bi-annual meeting, which is set to be dominated by issues concerning the growth of the church and the state of the nation.
The meeting otherwise known as The Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion will take place at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael Kaduna from March 9-12.
A major concern of the Kaduna meeting will be the appraisal of the vision of the Church of Nigeria initiated by the Primate of All Nigeria, Archbishop Peter Akinola shortly after his presentation in 2000 as the leader of the 17-million Nigerian Anglican congregation.
At the starting of his public ministry as Primate of Nigeria, Archbishop Akinola encapsulated the five key areas of the vision to include evangelism, spirituality, unity, caring and relationships with other faith.
Five years after, a gathering of the inner lives of the 10 provinces and over 80 dioceses of the Church of Nigeria with representatives of laity, clergy and bishops will evaluate how the Church has (and hasn’t) changed.
One distinct area that will engage the meeting is the issue of funds particularly the N1 billion endowment fund initiated in 2000 with the aim to finance the activities and programmes of the church.
With a good endowment fund in place, the burden of fund raising by the Bishops and their dioceses should be reduced. In fact dioceses are now enjoying a reduction in the annual assessment paid to the central pool. This is supposed to eventually be passed down to individual churches
However the Primate is worried that the endowment fund is not being fully gathered as and when it ought to even though the dioceses got 15 per cent reduction in their assessment in 2005
On evangelism, the 26-year old church of Nigeria has been involved in massive church planting and creation of additional missionary dioceses.
From 29 dioceses in 1989, the church grew to 76 dioceses in 1999 and a record of 91 dioceses in 2005.
Keeping with his vision for growth, the present Primate has gone ahead to create 14 dioceses in the past five years.
His predecessor Archbishop Joseph Adetiloye, the 2nd Primate and Metropolitan Church of Nigeria (1988-99) created 47 dioceses.
With over 5,000 priests, the leadership of the church has repeatedly admonished clergymen that the emphasis on growth is not just in numbers but in deeper understanding of the word of God facilitated by enhanced attendance at bible study, prayer meetings, worship services and stewardship.
In Kaduna, delegates will be briefed on the outcome of the just concluded Primates meeting held in Northern Ireland, particularly on matters affecting sexuality and the North American churches uncompromising liberal stand.
Last month, Primates of the Anglican Communion asked the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA) to voluntarily withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) for the period leading up to the next Lambeth Conference of in 2008.
In 2003, the Nigerian Anglican Church severed links with some US dioceses that approved and consecrated Gene Robinson, a homosexual as the Bishop of New Hampshire.
It also broke ties with the Canadian church for authorizing the blessing of same-sex unions.
On national issues, the meeting is expected to voice out on some burning issues.
At present some 400 Nigerians are in Abuja attending the National Political Reform Conference.
Anglican Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, Peter Adebiyi is among the six delegates of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Archbishop Peter Akinola has declared his support for the conference and hinted that CAN delegates will canvass religious tolerance and a halt to the killing of their members in the country.
Interestingly Kaduna has witnessed bloody clashes between Christians and Muslims in the past four years.
The churchmen will use the occasion of the meeting to hoist an olive branch of peace and unity to a region which has become notorious for restiveness.
By Peter Onwubuariri
CONN/100305
Abuja, March 8- About 400 Nigerian Anglican churchmen representing the laity, clergy and Bishops will be gathering in the northern city of Kaduna for their bi-annual meeting, which is set to be dominated by issues concerning the growth of the church and the state of the nation.
The meeting otherwise known as The Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion will take place at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael Kaduna from March 9-12.
A major concern of the Kaduna meeting will be the appraisal of the vision of the Church of Nigeria initiated by the Primate of All Nigeria, Archbishop Peter Akinola shortly after his presentation in 2000 as the leader of the 17-million Nigerian Anglican congregation.
At the starting of his public ministry as Primate of Nigeria, Archbishop Akinola encapsulated the five key areas of the vision to include evangelism, spirituality, unity, caring and relationships with other faith.
Five years after, a gathering of the inner lives of the 10 provinces and over 80 dioceses of the Church of Nigeria with representatives of laity, clergy and bishops will evaluate how the Church has (and hasn’t) changed.
One distinct area that will engage the meeting is the issue of funds particularly the N1 billion endowment fund initiated in 2000 with the aim to finance the activities and programmes of the church.
With a good endowment fund in place, the burden of fund raising by the Bishops and their dioceses should be reduced. In fact dioceses are now enjoying a reduction in the annual assessment paid to the central pool. This is supposed to eventually be passed down to individual churches
However the Primate is worried that the endowment fund is not being fully gathered as and when it ought to even though the dioceses got 15 per cent reduction in their assessment in 2005
On evangelism, the 26-year old church of Nigeria has been involved in massive church planting and creation of additional missionary dioceses.
From 29 dioceses in 1989, the church grew to 76 dioceses in 1999 and a record of 91 dioceses in 2005.
Keeping with his vision for growth, the present Primate has gone ahead to create 14 dioceses in the past five years.
His predecessor Archbishop Joseph Adetiloye, the 2nd Primate and Metropolitan Church of Nigeria (1988-99) created 47 dioceses.
With over 5,000 priests, the leadership of the church has repeatedly admonished clergymen that the emphasis on growth is not just in numbers but in deeper understanding of the word of God facilitated by enhanced attendance at bible study, prayer meetings, worship services and stewardship.
In Kaduna, delegates will be briefed on the outcome of the just concluded Primates meeting held in Northern Ireland, particularly on matters affecting sexuality and the North American churches uncompromising liberal stand.
Last month, Primates of the Anglican Communion asked the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA) to voluntarily withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) for the period leading up to the next Lambeth Conference of in 2008.
In 2003, the Nigerian Anglican Church severed links with some US dioceses that approved and consecrated Gene Robinson, a homosexual as the Bishop of New Hampshire.
It also broke ties with the Canadian church for authorizing the blessing of same-sex unions.
On national issues, the meeting is expected to voice out on some burning issues.
At present some 400 Nigerians are in Abuja attending the National Political Reform Conference.
Anglican Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, Peter Adebiyi is among the six delegates of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Archbishop Peter Akinola has declared his support for the conference and hinted that CAN delegates will canvass religious tolerance and a halt to the killing of their members in the country.
Interestingly Kaduna has witnessed bloody clashes between Christians and Muslims in the past four years.
The churchmen will use the occasion of the meeting to hoist an olive branch of peace and unity to a region which has become notorious for restiveness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)