Source:  Christian Today

August 31, 2010

By Lilian Kwon

Conservative bishops in Africa issued a communiqué expressing concern over "progressive developments" in the West and committing themselves to tackling the social ills of their continent.

The statement came at the conclusion of a weeklong conference in Uganda, where bishops from more than 400 dioceses met to discuss the crises they face within the church and outside the church.

The bishops agreed in their communiqué that "in order to keep the ethos and tradition of the Anglican Communion in a credible way, it is obligatory" of all provinces in the global Anglican Communion to continue to observe and honour the moratoria on the ordination of partnered homosexuals, the blessing of same-sex unions, and cross-border interventions.

The conservative bishops said they were "very saddened" by the recent action of The Episcopal Church in the United States to consecrate a partnered lesbian in Los Angeles. The Rev Mary Glasspool was the second openly homosexual bishop to be consecrated in the US body despite calls for restraint by the wider Communion.

Two Anglican provinces were sympathetic to the hurt and anger felt by most of the bishops in Africa but opposed severing ties with The Episcopal Church.

"We recognise that all the Provinces and diocese in Africa do not condone TEC's action. However, Provinces differ in their relationships with TEC in light of their actions," the provinces of Central Africa and Southern Africa stated in a letter, according to VirtueOnline...

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