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CONGO PROVINCE REJECTS ROBINSON CONSECRATION

CONGO PROVINCE REJECTS ROBINSON CONSECRATION

Statement of the Bishops of the Anglican Province of the Democratic Re
public of Congo on homosexuality and blessings of same-sex unions within
the Anglican Communion

1/5/2004

[Anglican Communion News Service] We, the Bishops of the Anglican
Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (DR Congo) gathered in
Kinshasa , its capital city, on behalf of the clergy and laity from the
DR Congo, take this opportunity to officially express our unhappiness
regarding the issues which have recently arisen pertaining to the issues
of homosexuality and the blessing of same-sex relationships which we
believe are contrary to Holy Scripture, and to moral law in the Third
World. We therefore strongly condemn : - the consecration of Canon GENE
ROBINSON, a divorcee and an actively gay bishop of the US New Hampshire
Diocese of the Episcopal Church on 2nd November 2003;

- the access to priesthood of actively gay and lesbian people;

- the use of the newly devised Prayer Book published by the Diocese of
New Westminster/Canada for the purpose of officiating the blessing of
same- sex marriages.

We believe that the above-mentioned acts clearly and deliberately
misinterpret:

a) the Word of God

b) the resolution 1:10,98 of the Lambeth Conference of 1998 prohibiting
homosexuality, an act contrary to Christian calling in Holy Scripture.
In its position of moral keeper, the Church must do all in its power to
prevent immorality and itself avoid being corrupted and in turn
corrupting the whole world.

c) the work of the Commission established to study in depth the issue of
homosexuality. The findings of this Commission initiated by the
Archbishop of Canterbury to try and establish proper solutions to
homosexuality in the Church is due in October 2004. The bishops from the
Third World opposed the consecration of Canon GENE ROBINSON as bishop in
their meetings at Lambeth Palace, London in October 2003.

We knowingly declare that:

1. the Anglican Province of Congo strongly condemns homosexuality
and wishes to disassociate itself from relations with Dioceses and
Parishes involved in homosexuality. Therefore, it disapproves the
confirmation and consecration

2. of Canon GENE ROBINSON, a man living openly in a homosexual
relation ship, as bishop in God's ministry. The Anglican Province of
Congo is in fellowship with all Parishes, Dioceses and Provinces of
ECUSA and of the Anglican Church of Canada in opposition to
homosexuality. It is happy to support both morally, pastorally and
spiritually all Christians from every part of the world within the
network of theologically orthodox churches and Dioceses in opposition to
homosexuality.

3. The Anglican Province of Congo condemns every immoral act
which promotes active homosexuality as a cultural norm. The Gospel
purifies all culture and must be in agreement with Holy Scripture.

4. The Anglican Province of Congo rejects the newly published New
Westminster Diocesan Book of Prayer promoting the blessing of same-sex
union. It20 calls upon each and every women and man of God to think
about God's Word relating to marriage in Genesis 1:27,28 and encourages
abstinence as the appropriate way for those who are not called to
marriage. The Anglican Province of Congo therefore invites any person
knowingly involved in homosexuality to repent from his/her sin and
return to the fullness of relationship with Chris t. (Lev.18:23;
Mat.19:4-6; Romans 1:23-27).

5. The Anglican Province of Congo seriously warns any of its
Dioceses or Parishes that have fellowship with any such groups that are
involved in active homosexuality for the purpose of material interest
and support.

6. The Anglican Province of Congo calls upon all goodwill
Christians to
refrain from criticizing, judging or remaining silent on issues
pertaining to active homosexuality ravaging the western world and to
seriously pray for
their return to God in true repentance.

7. The Anglican Province of Congo invites all within the network
of the
theologically orthodox Anglican Communion to remain firm of faith and
be involved in a fellowship based on spiritual, moral, material and/or
financial support to each other.

8. The Anglican Communion is a precious gift from Christ Himself
that needs to be jealously protected and promoted by each and every
faithful Anglican Church.

Kinshasa, 20th December 2003

For the House of Bishops
The Most Revd Dr DIROKPA BALUFUGA Fidele
Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Congo

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