Thursday, May 04, 2006

Canadian Anglican bishops condemn Nigerian anti-gay legislation

In March, the Primate of All Nigeria, Archbishop Peter J. Akinola (Anglican Communion), endorsed legislation before the Federal Assembly that would severely curtail the basic civil rights of gay and lesbian Nigerians. John Bryson Chane, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington brought this issue to broad attention in a Washington Post op-ed. Conservative Anglican supporters of Archbishop Akinola have offered lukewarm support of their colleague, while nearly 20 human rights organizations denounced it, 60 members of the EU Parliament have called for it to be withdrawn, and the US State Department condemned its infringement of free speech, assembly, religion and the press.

Now, Anglican bishops in Canada have added their voices -- in protest:
In unusually strong language, the bishops said they "disassociate" themselves from the actions of the Church of Nigeria and called upon Anglicans around the world to listen to and respect the human rights of gay people.
I'm quite curious to see what the reaction from conservative Episcopalians / Anglicans in the US will be.